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 Ratchaburi,
a province famous for its water jars, has some well-preserved temples.
Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat features some stucco designs that retain
much of their original beauty. Wat Khao Wang was originally built
as a residence for King Chulalongkorn, and later turned into a temple
on a hill overlooking the town. Wat Khongkharam in Photharam District
is a classic Mon temple, with beautiful murals in the main hall
dating back 200 years.
Most visitors stop by to enjoy Darnnoen Saduak Floating Market,
one of the most-photographed sights in Thailand. Originally a working
market, it is now a major tourist attraction, with small boats filled
with produce are on sale daily - usually to the visitors. Boat tours
of the surrounding tiny canals give fascinating views of rural life.
Distance from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts :
Wat Phleng 15 kilometres
Damnoen Saduak 50 kilometres
Bang Phae 22 kilometres
Photharam 26 kilometres
Ban Pong 42 kilometres
Chom Bueng 30 kilometres
Suan Phueng 60 kilometres
Pak Tho 22 kilometres
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 History
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THE LINEAGE OF THAIS IN RATCHBURI PROVINCE
"Phahuchartiphun" society, or the various cultures, is
one of the most interesting aspects of like in Ratchburi. Although
their cultural lifestyles have been changed by time and generations,
many groups still preserve their own ways of like that can be used
as a model for the new generations to study.
These many races, despite their different beliefs and lifestyles,
are able to live together in peace and harmony, making Ratchaburi
a colorful place to live and visit.
THAI SONG DAM OR LAO SORNG
The original Thai Song Dam lived in Dien Bien Foo, but the group
which moved to Thailand come from Lao during the Napburi period.
At first, they could be found mostly in Khao Yoi, Petchburi, but
during the reign of King Rama 4 they began to move on to Ban Don
Klang in Ratchaburi too.
The Lao Sorng have kept their traditions, rites and ceremonies
intact. Even their food and clothing has managed to stand the test
of time. As their name "Dam" or "black" indicates,
the tribe like to dress in mostly black attire. The men wearing
"Suang Kom", while the ladies prefer patterned brocades,
with their hair usually swept up and pinned on top of their heads.
The various Lao Sorng ceremonies are certainly worth watching if
you have the opportunity. Nowadays, most Ratchaburi Lao Sorng can
be found around Ban Don Klang, Amphoe Damnoen Saduak , Don Khq ,
Amphoe Ban Phae, Amphoe Chom Bung and Amphoe Pak Tho.
THAI TANAWASRI OR KAREN
This is a hill tribe of mixed race, originating from Tibet and Myanmar.
They now live near the Thai/Myanmar border and are the biggest hill
tribe in Thailand.
When they first arrived in this country, Thai Tanawasri lived in
Nong Krarien,
Tambon Rangbua and Amphoe Suwan Pueng, but after experiencing drought
conditions in this area they moved onto the banks of the Pha Chi
tributaries.
Thai Tanawasri have continued their unusual annual tradition of
making and eating rice wrapped in leaves. This festival can be observed
every year during the 9th lunar month , which usually falls
in August, and is known as the "Suwan Pueng Thai Tanasri."
The hill tribe have a special costume which is worn only on important
ceremonial occasions.
THAI TAE BAN PHOHAK
It is often said that the Thai Tae Ban Phohok are really Thais.
They have a distinctive abrupt style of speech and vocabulary ,
Often using old colloquialisms.
One of the tribes interesting traditions is called "Khanara"
which is a tradition about love. They also popularly like to build
clusters of Thai-style houses in the beautiful green and fertile
fields and meadows along the banks of the Phohak. This was the area
that inspired, and was chosen for, the classic Thai film "Plae
Kao", which was produced by Churd Songsri and starred two of
the great Thai actors and actresses ; Kwan as the hero and Riem
as the heroine.
THE LINEAGE OF THAI MON (OR PEGUAN)
The forefathers of the Mon tribe moved to Ratchaburi during the
first Rattanakosin period and lived beside the Mae Klong River in
Amphoe Ban Pong and Amphoe Photharam. Even now ,they continue to
follow their old tradition of paying respect to the household spirits,
and the spirits of their ancestors. They are also very serious about
their Buddhist religion, believing that they were the first race
to bring Buddhism from India.
The Mon's most important ceremony is called "Songkran Cho
Mon" or "Mon New Year", and is usually held about
one week after Thai Songkran. They have many interesting games,
most notably "Mon Saba" which is a pitch-and-toss game.
"Song Phikala" nad "Phrikadong"
On the final day of Buddhist Lent, the Thai Mon always go to the
various temples situated on the banks of the Mae Klong River , where
they listen to sermons on the story of the last great incarnation
of the Lord Buddha, a story which consists of many episodes.
THE LINEAGE OF THAI LAOWIENG OR LAOTI
The reason for calling this tribe "Laoti" is because of
their custom of saying "ti" at the end of most words.
They first came from Vientianne and settled in Ratchaburi more than
200 years ago. They reside on the banks of the Mae Klong River atSroi
Fa Temple and Papai Temple. They can also be found within the boundaries
of Amphoe Chom Bung, and in Ban Nasamor and Ban Sungnem. Many of
their unique customs have disappeared now , even the merit-making
ceremonies such as the "Sart Lao" festival , the "Khao
Pradap Din" festival of the tenth lunar month, the "Khao
Ji" festival of the third lunar month and the "Prawet"
festival of the eleventh lunar month are no longer observed.
THAI YUAN
This is the name that the people used to call themselves during
the Lanna period. Documented evidence shows that the Yuan were moved
to Ratchaburi during the reign of King Rama I, when the King gave
the order to attack Muang Chiang Saen to protect the mselves from
Myanmar.
Most Yuan can be found in Koo Bua, Ang Thong, Don Rae and Chedihak.
They are skilled cart makers and skirt weavers.
Unfortunately, very few of their traditions have withstood the
test of time, except for an annual ceremony held before the start
of Buddhist Lent. For this ceremony, the older generation, who have
stong Buddhist beliefs, don traditional clothing to pay
respect to and feed the spirits of their ancestors.
THE LINEAGE OF THAI KHMEN LAO DERM
Thai Khmen Lao Derm, or Thai Cambodian Laos, settled here during
the Thonburi period of Thai history. Originally, they lived in Laos
but were forced to move to Cambodia, before being brought to Ratchaburi
by the Thai army. They live along the banks of the Mae Klong River
at Ban Pong Sawai and Ban Kung Nam Wan.
Just one of the Thai Khmen Lao Derm's traditions remains, which
is the order generation's belief that they must go and inform the
spirits in native Cambodian language of any upcoming auspicious
occasions
THE LINEAGE OF THAIJIN
Thai Jin, of Thai Chinese, were the biggest minority group to come
to Thailand during the reign of King Rama V.Many can still be found
living in Amphoe Ban Pong and around the canals of Damnoen Saduak
and Ban Nok Kwak.
The Thai Chinese who follow Buddhism, annually have a tradition
of taking Buddhist images out in boats for a trip along the rivers
around Prasart Sit Temple. Unfortunately, it is difficult to be
precise about the exact dates of this important and spectacular
ceremony.
The other group of Thai Chinese who follow Christianity have built
many beautiful churches all over Ratchaburi.
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How
to get there
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Car
a) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 4 (Phahonyothin Road) to
Ratchaburi via Bang Khae, Om Noi, Om Yai, Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon
Pathom.
b) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 338 to Nakhon Chai Si via Buddhamonthon
and turn into Highway No. 4, then proceed to Ratchaburi.
Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok’s
Southern Bus Terminal daily. It takes 2 hour for the trip. Contact
Transport Co. Ltd. Tel: 0 2435 1199-200
Train
Regular trains depart from both Hua Lamphong Railway Station
and Bangkok Noi Railway Station daily. Travelling time is 2 hours.
Call 1690 for more information.
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Festivals
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Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Sweet Grape Week Fair
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Sweet Grape Week Fair This
fair features a beauty contest, a Thai cooking competition, agricultural
exhibitions, and local product sales including fruits and Thai sweets.
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