The fairly unspoiled tradition of a traditional
floating market, more for the local’s sake
of buying and trading rather than organized of the
benefits of tourists, can still be
seen
at the bustling Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
The market is a labyrinth of narrow canals congested
with small, wooden boats paddled mainly by female
traders mainly dressed in mohoms, traditional indigo-colored
farmer’s shirts, and conical straw hats. Boats
are laden with fresh produce consisting of fruits,
vegetables, and spices picked fresh that morning
from the local farms. Boats can be hired for observing
villages and homes along the canal.
The 8th-9th century Wat Phra Si Rattana Maharat,
or locally known as ‘Wat Na Phra That’,
is located on the west bank of the Mae Klong River
in town. Dating from the
15th
century, its elegant prang remains in good conditions
and was probably modeled after the main prang of
Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Inside the prang are
murals from the 15th century and partially restored
stucco works.
Originally called ‘Khao Sattanat’,
Khao Wang (Palace Hill) sits atop a 44-m high hill
located 2 km from town. The palace’s construction
was commissioned by King Rama V and was used to
receive the Portuguese minister in 1887. The palace
area was donated and converted into a temple called
‘Wat Khao Wang’.
The roadside Khao Chong Phran has 2 interesting
caves. One houses more than 100 Buddha images and
the other is home to some 3 million bats. At sunset,
the entire ensemble of bats leaving the mountain
appear like a volcano spewing up thick, black smoke.
Regarded as the most beautiful cave in the province,
Thum Khao Bin extends 300 meters from the cave entrance
and offers amazing sights of beautiful stalactite
and stalagmite formations.
The caves of Khao Ngu (Snake Mountain) contain
splendid examples of early Dvaravati artworks. The
main attraction is the 2.5-m tall bas-relief Buddha
image in the appearance of giving the first sermon
found in the famous Thum Rusi (Hermit Cave). Many
playful and curious monkeys inhabit the area around
the caves.
The popular Pong Yup is an area filled with plenty
of strange looking earthen-pillars and cliffs naturally
created by soil erosions.
The Bor Khlueng Hot Stream contains mineral water
that is believed to aid in skin treatments. The
water flows year-round with temperature ranging
between 50-68 degrees Celsius.
Wat Khanon contains more than 300 well-preserved
Nang Yai puppets. The Nang Yai Shadow Play is an
old form of entertainment where the intricate carved
puppets are moved and their images portrayed on
a screen lit from behind by skilled male performers.
The performances are usually demonstrated on Saturdays
from 10 am - 11 am.
Displayed at the Ratchaburi Nation Museum are art
and ancient items from different periods dating
back to the Khmer and Dvaravati eras that were found
in the local area and an exhibition of the history
of Ratchaburi.
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