:: City attraction

Located on Chetchamnong Road in town, Wat Yai Inthraram is an old temple built during the time of Ayutthaya, with Ayutthaya-style architectural influence. This is evident from the Ubosot (ordination hall) and Vihan (image hall) with their distinctive Gunwale Curve base, and the carved wooden door panels at the Mondop (square building with a pyramidal roof) over the Holy Footprints.

The Ubosot itself was renovated during the reign of King Rama III using glassware to adorn the gables and windows. Within the Ubosot are murals covering the entire four walls, which have been continuously restored over the years. In front of the temple stands a statue of King Taksin the Great. It is said that the king used to stop here on the way to set up his base in Chanthaburi during the Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.


 

Khao Sam Muk is a low hillock situated between Ang Sila and Bang Saen along the road facing the seashore. A habitat of scores of wild monkeys, the hill-top affords a panoramic view of the Bang Saen beach. At the foot of the hill are Thai and Chinese shrines, highly respected by visitors. Legend has it that the cliff-top was where two lovers jumped to their death because of parental objection.

A well-known holiday beach, Bang Saen is only 14 kilometres from the provincial town. From Sukhumvit Road, take a right turn at Km 104 and proceed on for another 3 kilometres to get there. Bang Saen is widely popular with Thai holiday makers who happily romp along the long beach and partake in the tasty food available. Weekends are particularly crowded while it is relatively quiet during weekdays. Fronting the beach are hotels, bungalows, food-shops as well as shops selling and renting recreational gear and bicycles.

Getting There: Bus services are available from Bangkok's Ekkamai Bus Terminal throughout the day. There are also local "Song Thaeo" transports serving Chon Buri town-Nong Mon Market-Bang Saen.

The Marine Scientific Institute of the Burapha University operates a modern aquarium with a realistic underwater environment. There is also a marine science museum which is open daily, except Mondays, from 8.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children. For more information, call 0-3839-1671-3.

On Sukhumvit Road near the entrance road to Bang Saen is the widely popular Nong Mon Market .It offers a vast range of local products but mostly foodstuffs, both fresh and preserved. Among its well-known buys are different types of dried seafood. Khao Lam or gluttonous rice baked in bamboo, Ho Mok or spicy steamed fish cakes, Hoi Cho or deep fried shrimp cakes, sweetened banana and taro chips, sweetened fruit preserves, as well as rattan and bamboo basket ware from Phanat Nikhom.

Ho Phra Phutthasihing. O n Wachiraprakan Road about 500 metres from the townhall houses a replica of the Phra Phutthasihing cast in pure silver. An extremely beautiful icon, it is highly revered by the townspeople.

A seaside fishing village, Ang Sila is about 5 kilometres from town. Most villagers are skilled in making implements from granite. Items made are mainly mortars and pestles widely used in Thai households in the olden times, and figurines of animals such as lions, elephants and horses as decorative items.

:: Phanat Nikhom

Long known for its fine basketry products, the people of Phanat Nikhom originally made them for daily use. The products were gradually developed into more elaborate and marketable hand crafted items. The major market is at Talat Chaksan behind the Municipal Market I. To view the production process and higher quality items, pay a visit to the Promotion Centre for Bamboo Basketry Skills on Intha-asa Road near the district office, which is a royally-initiated project of Her Majesty the Queen.

:: Si Racha

Ko Loi is a small islet near the northern shore of Si Racha. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, it is a popular location for recreation by the local people. A flight of stairs leads up to the breezy hill top which offers a delightful view of the sea.


The Si Racha Tiger Zoo , at Km. 20 on Highway No. 36 between Pattaya and Bang Saen or 10 kilometres from Si Racha, keeps a large number of Bengal tigers, as well as crocodiles and other animals. There are shows involving trainers with tigers and crocodiles. Visitors will thrill to see how friendship can be possible among tigers, pigs and dogs which all live together. The park is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission fee is 250 baht for adults and 150 baht for children. Call 0-3829-6556-8 or 0-2530-7412-3 for more information.

 

The Khao Khieo Open Zoo covers a vast tract of forestland and is operated by the Zoological Garden Organization. It is located 19 kilometres after a left-turn at Bang Phra, about 20 kilometres south of Chon Buri on Sukhumvit Road. There are more than 200 species of wildlife living in their natural habitat. They include both domestic and imported types. Open daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., the zoo also puts on shows of well-trained animals and birds. Admission fee is 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children. A new feature is the Night Safari Tour by auto-trams. Call 0-38 29-8188, 0-3829-8270 ext 19, for more information.

About 15 kilometres from Sukhumvit Road on the same route to the Khao Khieo Open Zoo is the Chan Ta Then Waterfall. The section of the road close to the fall is quite steep. With five secondary levels, it can be reached on foot along the path running along side the stream. The best time to visit is between August and October when the water is clear and still plentiful.

:: Ko Si Chang

Twelve kilometers off the shore of Si Racha is the large island of Si Chang offering pleasant, quiet mountain and sea views. It is the site of a summer palace built during the reign of King Rama V. Named Phra Chuthathut Rachathan , the palace is made up of several buildings including halls, villas and a temple, all constructed in Thai-European architectural style. Although abandoned for over a century, several sections have been restored.

Another popular destination for visitors is the Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine which attracts devotees all year round. Uphill from the shrine is a Holy Footprint and a Chedi (pagoda) housing a Holy Relic. From the summit of the hill spreads a panoramic view of the Si Chang Community, offering a beautiful view of the sunrise. Another viewing point is at Tham Chakkraphong where a large Buddha statue is enshrined. If you opt for a sunset view, go to Chong Khao Khat and Tham Khao Phang beach to the west of the island. Tham Khao Phang Beach is suitable for swimming.

There are hotels and bungalows on the island. For local transport, motorised tricycles can be chartered to travel around the island.

Getting There: There are daily ferry services between Si Racha and Ko Si Chang. Boats leave Si Racha's Tha Charin every hour from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. It takes about 45 minutes for the journey. On return, boats leave Ko Si Chang every hour from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.