Saturday, February 7, 2009

Lopburi Thailand

Lop Buri is located on the east side of the Chao Phraya river valley, between the Lopburi River and Pa Sak Rivers. 30% of the area of the province, including most of Tha Wung district, the southwestern parts of Mueang Lopburi and Ban Mi districts are a very low alluvial plain. The rest 70% is intermixed between plains and hills, with the Phetchabun Mountains form the eastern boundary of the province towards the Khorat Plateau.

Known as Lavo during most of its history, Lopburi probably dates back to prehistoric times. During the Dvaravati period (6th to 11th century) it was called Lavo. The Khmer and built many impressive temples. In Ayutthaya period, King Ramathibodi I sent Phra Ramesuan (later King Ramesuan) who positioned Uparaja to reign Lopburi. In 1665 King Narai the Great ordered to build the new palace on the east bank of the Lopburi River and made Lop Buri the second capital of the country in middle of the 17th century as Ayutthaya was threatened by the Dutch. The city was enriched again when King Mongkut of Rattanakosin renovated the King Narai Palace in 1856. And in 1938 Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram started his plan to relandscape and set Lop Buri as the biggest military base of Thailand.















Monday, February 2, 2009

Bang Saen

Approximately 13 km from the city of Chonburi, Bang Saen is a famous beach that has enjoyed lasting popularity among local tourists and short trip-makers. What makes Bang Saen beachfront a recognizable landmark is its wide stretching sand beach, rows of coconut trees, lines of deck chairs for rent and stacks of rubber rings that local tourists use as floatable rings in the sea. Bang Saen has been through renovation and now enjoys hosting visitors with neat and orderly location.


Historically, Bang Saen emerged as a resort town in the 1940s when Thai Prime Minister General P. Pibunsongkram initiated a housing project for tourism here. Due to this project, hotels and bungalows were built along this 2.5 kilometre beach.

Nowadays, the beach is colourful with beach chairs and umbrellas. Food and drink stalls are ubiquitous. The beach is generally clean but not very white due to the sediment from Bang Pakong River. Yet the gradual slope makes it a nice and safe spot for swimming.

Unlike Pattaya, Bang Saen beachfront road is not lined with bars or illuminated souvenir shops. The beach is peaceful at night. There are some restaurants by the sea where you can spend a peaceful night savouring seafood under the moon. Many bungalows, resorts and restaurants line along the wide street that divides beach from the constructions. Besides lingering at the beach during daytime, driving along the street parallel to the coastline toward Sam Muk Hill is also pleasurable.



Bang Saen banana boat



A Lot Of Coconut





Chair For Rent, All Day 20 ฺBath