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Sightseeing Place
Ruesi Khao Ngu Cave
Ruesi Khao Ngu Cave This famous attraction of Ratchaburi is 8 kilometres from the town along the road to Amphoe Chom Bueng (Route No. 3078). The cave houses a bas-relief Buddha image, considered the oldest archaeological evidence of the Dvaravati period found in Ratchaburi. The figure is 2.5 metres high in the attitude of giving the first sermon. This is the most beautiful cave in Ratchaburi. It is located 20 kilometres from the town along the route to Amphoe Chom Bueng and 2 kilometres along an access road. The cave extends 300 metres from the mouth and offers truly amazing scenes of plentiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. This cave is 30 kilometres west of the town in the vicinity of Amphoe Chom Bueng. It was originally called Tham Mutchalin. In 1895, King Rama IV and Queen Si Phatcharin made a royal visit and were fond of its beauty, thus giving it a new name according to the shape of the stalactites which look like the epaulette of a field marshal. The cave also houses a medium-sized reclining Buddha. A nearby arboretum provides shady areas suitable for relaxation. This hill is located in Tambon Tao Pun, Amphoe Photharam, 17 kilometres north of Ratchaburi along the Khao Ngu-Boek Phrai route (Route No. 3089). The roadside hill has 2 interesting caves; Tham Phra Non housing more than 100 Buddha images and Tham Khangkhao or Bat Cave, which is home to some three million bats. As the sun sets over the horizon, they all disperse on their search for food and the mountain looks like a volcano disgorging thick black smoke. A newly-formed and little-known amphur Sub-District located west of Ratchaburi town center, its area extends to the Thai-Burmese border. There are many outstanding, unspoilt and natural places which can easily infatuate tourists and distract them from their planned itineraries. Located in the forest animal protection zone of Pha Chee River, Muu 4 , Tumbon Ban Bung, the waterfall is surrounded by unspoilt natural forest.. Situated about 6 kilometers from the Amphur Sub-district. It is about 2 kilometers from the top to bottom level of this nine-level waterfall. On the way you can see all kinds of herbs, wild orchids and ferns. There is a hot spring located in the park at Chalern Prakeat Thai Prachan. The temperature in the pond is 65 degrees centigrade. If visitors to the spring clap their hands, a stream of bubbles will gush into the air. The place is open for tourists who wish to bathe at the spot where the cool water from the Tanawasri Mountains meets the hot water which flows the spring. Turn off of the main Petchkasem Road and go pass Amphur Ban Kha Sub-district, into Amphur suan Phung. This is a beautiful route, but if you are traveling in your own car and have already been to various attractions in Amphur Chom Bung, you might like to try another route. We suggest you take road 3206 at Pak Tho and turn on to road 3313 to Ban Pongkrating before passing Amphur Ban Kha Sub-District to Suan Phung. Alterna tively you can use the Huay Chinasi (opposite the turn off to tambon Koo Bua) Road 3337. This route takes you past Thung luang until you reach the first road at Ban Pongkrating. Turn on to this road and continue through the Amphur Ban Kha Sub district until you reach Suan Phung. This is perhaps the most beautiful route in Ratchaburi, cutting through the forest and passing close to the undulatating mountain ranges. During World War 2 this town used to be a Japanese soldiers camp, and it is here that Kilometer stone 0 marks the start of the infamous Death Railway at Nong Pladuk Station before it and the soldiers reached Burma. Ban Pong is also the hub of one of the biggest bus operations in Thailand. Many people call this town "Detroit Muang Thai" or "Thai Detroit" This is the area best known to the eyes of the overseas visitors. Around 1866, King Rama 4 ordered that a 32 kilometers long canal be dug at Damnoen Saduak. This canal would connect the Mae Klong River at Bang Nok Kwak with the Tacheen River at Bang Yang lock, Tambon Krathum Ban in Samut Sakon. There are many small tributaries that flow off of this watercourse, which was not completed until the reign of King Rama 5. A lot of Chinese people have now settled in this area, because in the past they labored with the Thais to build this canal. The excellent quality soil beside the canal is very fertile and suitable for growing many kinds of fruit and vegetables. The area is famous for its strains of sweet white Malacca grape, Chinese grapefruit, mangoes and coconut.. Nowadays the area hosts the Damnoen Saduak Sweet Grape Festival each year. In the past, once the canals had been dug, King Rama 5 decided he wanted to known more about the lives of the people who resided along the banks. So he look a fast dugout boat and traveled down the river by himself. His route has become part of history, and yet another example of the King's care for the lives of his subjects, who in return show their great love and respect for the monarchy. If you follow this route, you will come across more of the attractions of Ratchaburi.

Starting from the wharf of Damnoen Saduak Canal, you pass the grape vineyards, have a chance to taste the coconut milk from the young coconuts before passing various agricultural plantations. See the traditional Thai Houses at waterside. Quench your thirst with a glass of delectable fresh coconut nectar. Fill yourself with traditional Thai noodles sold from boats. On this route, you will pass the winner of the "Best in Damnoen Saduak" award, the owner selling his delicious noodles from a boat moored alongside the river. Pass in front of Chotikaram temple and Ban Jek Huat, or Jek Huat's house. During his reign, King Rama 5 used to come, visit and dine with the common folk along the river. From here, you proceed past Lad Phi Market before coming back to the hub of the central Damnoen Saduak market.

If you are interested in taking a leisurely float down the river and through the market, you can get additional information from Khun Anon Yaiying by calling 345074 or 346161.
Bo Khlueng Hot Spring Located 5 kilometres beyond Amphoe Suan Phueng and another 10 kilometres along an access road, the stream is full of mineral water and is believed that it can be used for skin treatment. The water flows all year round from the Tanaosi Range. Its temperature ranges between 50-68 degrees Celsius. On the route to the hot stream, a 3 km. branch road leads to Namtok (waterfall) Kao Chon, which consists of 9 cascades. The falls are plentiful during the late rainy season. Located at the foothill of "Khao Pratap Chang" opposite the entrance to "Khao Bin" cave. It is a peaceful and shady forest garden which houses many rare species of plant s which have been mentioned in Thai literature. It is especially beautiful between February and April when the white Orapim flower is in bloom. The garden is a lovely place for rest and relaxation while improving your knowledge of the plants. About 11 kilometers from Khao Bin cave and situated within an arboretum is another cave. This one was formerly known as "Tham Mutchalin" or "Mutchalin cave". Inside there are many beautiful stalactites and stalagmites which are illuminated by daylight from an open skylight. Each year during the dry season a celebration is held in honor of the image of Phra Phutta Siyat. When King Rama 5 visited this cave he was impressed by the beauty of the stalactites and stalagmites, especially one called Pha wichit, which he thought looked like the stripes worn on the sleeve of a field marshal showing his rank. He then bestowed the cave the new name of "Tham Chompon" or "Field Marshal Cave".

 

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