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The Central Thailand Region
Geographically, the Central Region
extends from mountains bordering Burma to the Northeast
plateau, northwards to Nakhon Sawan, and southwards
to Prachuap Khiri Khan where Thailand is compressed
to its narrowest point between western mountains and
the Thai Gulf.
Major places of interest include Bangkok with its
fabulous temples and palaces, museums, fascinating
riverine and canal scenes, excellent shopping and
nightlife; Nakhon Pathom, some 60 kilometres west
of Bangkok, site of the 380-foot Phra Pathom Chedi,
the world's tallest Buddhist monument, Demnoon Saduak
Floating Market, some 40 minutes south of Nakhon Pathom;
Kanchanaburi, 130 kilometres west of Bangkok, site
of the world-famous "Bridge over the River Kwai" and
an Allied war cemetery of soldiers who built "Death
Railway"; Ayutthaya, 70 kilometres upstream from Bangkok,
Siamese capital from 1350 to 1767, where magnificent
ruins evoke medieval splendour; the nearby Bang Pa-in
Palace, summer residence of early Bangkok monarchs;
The Buddha's Footprint Shrine, near Saraburi, Lop
Buri, a former Khmer outpost and summer residence
of late Ayutthayan monarchs; Phetchaburi, 120 kilometres
south and palaces and Kaeng Krachan, Thailand's largest
national park; Cha Am and Hua Hin, two popular beach
resorts, 173 and 198 kilometres southwest of Bangkok;
the coastal Sam Roi Yot National Park, one hour south
of Hua Hin; and Prachuap Khirl Khan, some 320 kilometres
from the capital, a fishing town with a scenic bay,
beachside pagoda and resident monkey tribe. |
