Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf Highlights
Motorcycling between curvaceous bays and limestone peaks in
Prachuap Khiri Khan
(
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)
Strolling the long blonde coastline of
Hua Hin
(
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) dotted with wave-jumping kiteboarders
Eating and shopping (and eating some more) at Hua Hin's
night market
(
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)
Escaping into the depths of
Kaeng Krachan National Park
(
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)
and spotting gibbons and wild ele-
phants
Being a beach bum on laid-back
Hat Thung Wua Laen
(
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)
Exploring the hilltop palace and underground caves, while dodging monkeys, in
Phetchaburi
(
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)
Making the popular pilgrimage to
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
(
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) to see the illuminated cave
shrine of Tham Phraya Nakhon
Letting the kids run around all day in their bathing suits at
Dolphin Bay
(
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)
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Phetchaburi (Phetburi)
POP 46,600
An easy escape from Bangkok, Phetchaburi should be on every cultural traveller's itiner-
ary. It has temples and palaces, outlying jungles and cave shrines, as well as easy access to
the coast. Best of all, Phetchaburi remains a sleepy provincial town, complete with markets
and old teak shophouses. Relatively few foreigners make it here; instead it is visiting
groups of Thai students who can be found touring the sites and working up the courage to
say 'hello' to any wandering Westerners.
Historically, Phetchaburi is a visible timeline of kingdoms that have migrated across
Southeast Asia. During the 11th century the Khmer empire settled in, although their control
was relatively short-lived. As Khmer power diminished, Phetchaburi became a strategic
royal fort during the Thai-based Sukhothai and Ayuthaya kingdoms. During the stable Ay-
uthaya period, the upper gulf flourished and Phetchaburi thrived as a 17th-century trading
post between Myanmar and Ayuthaya. The town is often referred to as a 'Living Ay-
uthaya', since the equivalent of the many relics that were destroyed in the former king-
dom's capital are still intact here.