Phetchaburi is an old city and used to be an important fort town of Thailand long ago. It was formerly called by many name such as Muang Phribphli, Muang Petchphli, etc. Phetchaburi occupies an area of 6, 225.1 square kilometers and is divided into eight Amphoes: Muang, Cha-am, Khao Yoi, Tha Yang, Ban Lat, Ban Laem, Nong Ya Plong and Kaeng Krachan.

PHETCHABURI's ATTRACTIONS

Thaw Khao Yoi This cave is located on Khao Yoi Hill, Amphoe Khao Yoi, 22 Kilometers from the township. Buddha images of various attitudes are housed in the cave. Khao Yoi Cave was the place where King Mongkut practiced meditation while he was in the monkhood.

Khao Wang This hill in the vicinity of Amphoe Muang is 92 meters high. King Mongkut was very fond of Khao Wang so he commanded a palace built on top of it in the year 1860 to be used for vacationing; he named it Phra Nakhon Khiri. However, Petchaburi inhabitants have called it "Khao Wang" until now.

At present, Khao Wang is established as Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park, open everyday from 8.30-16.30 hrs. Some parts of the complex on the western mountaintop are altered into Phra Nakhon Khiri National Museum, open to the public from 9.00-16.00 hrs. everyday except Monday and Tuesday. To go up Khao Wang, one can either walk or take a cable car.

Khao Bandai It This is a rather small hill 121 meters high located two kilometers from Khao Wang. An ancient monastery built in the Ayutthaya period is named Wat Khao Bandai It. There are several caves on this hill such as 'Iham Prathun, Tham Phra Chao Sua, Tham Phra Puttha Saiyat, etc.

Tham Khao Luang The cave is located on Khao Luang Hill which is only 92 meters high, and five kilometers from Khao Wang. Khao Lunag Cave is regarded as the most important cave of Petchaburi because it houses a dressing Buddha image cast by the royal command of King Chulalongkon as the dedication to King Nang Klao and King Mongkut.

On the right hand of Khao Luang Access Road at the foot hill there is a large monastery called "War Tham Klaep"or Wat Bunthawi having a very large multipurpose hall The Sala Kanparien and wooden door panels of the Ubosot are beautifully carved.

Hat Chao Samran This beach 15 kilometers from the Phetchaburi o Provincial Market used to be a famous seaside resort in the old days. Legend says that King Naresuan the Great and King EkaThotsarot used to make royal visits here. They enjoyed the beauty of this beach so very much that they spent many nights there causing the villagers to call it the "Beach of Royal Leisure".

Four kilometers from Hat Chao Samran is Laem Luang Beach a white sandy beach of two kilometers in length. Seven kilometers from Hat Chao Samran to the south is Hat Puktian which is the latest popular beach in Phetchaburi.

Hat Cha-am This beach is located 41 kilometers from the township. The access road to the beach is two kilometers long. It is a very beautiful beach. (Cha-am Hotels & Resorts Reservation Service)

Kaeng Krachan National Park Kaeng Krachan National Park is the most extensive national park of Thailand occupying an area of 2,915 square kilometers. It was declared to be a national park on June 12, 1981 with clearly defined areas for reservoir and the jungle to the north of the dam in the park area. Its general characteristic is that it is a year round green jungle originating many rivers. Within the mountainous forest are beautiful peaks offering scenic views, and the Thothip Waterfall which has 18 levels. Kaeng Krachan National Park is located some 60 kilometers from the provincial capital. Visitors may travel by regular buses from Phetchaburi and transfer to minibuses at the entrance of the road leading to Kaeng Krachan Dam. The national park office is located beside the dam reservoir.

Phra Ratchaniwet Marukkhathayawan This palace is located between Cha-am and Han Hin; make a left turn via a two kilometers access road. King Rama VI used it as a vacational accommodation during the summer time. The palace is noted for three two-storeyed wooden pavilions facing the sea, and is referred to as "the palace of love and hope". Now the palace is taken care of by the Border Patrol Police Headquarters.