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The Central Thailand Region
Geographically,
the Central Region extends from mountains bordering Burma to the
Northeast plateau, northwards to Nakhon Sawan, and southwards
to Prachuap Khiri Khan where Thailand is compressed to its narrowest
point between western mountains and the Thai Gulf.
Major places of interest include
Bangkok with its fabulous temples and palaces, museums, fascinating
riverine and canal scenes, excellent shopping and nightlife; Nakhon
Pathom, some 60 kilometres west of Bangkok, site of the 380-foot
Phra Pathom Chedi, the world's tallest Buddhist monument, Demnoon
Saduak Floating Market, some 40 minutes south of Nakhon Pathom;
Kanchanaburi, 130 kilometres west of Bangkok, site of the world-famous
"Bridge over the River Kwai" and an Allied war cemetery of soldiers
who built "Death Railway"; Ayutthaya, 70 kilometres upstream from
Bangkok, Siamese capital from 1350 to 1767, where magnificent
ruins evoke medieval splendour; the nearby Bang Pa-in Palace,
summer residence of early Bangkok monarchs; The Buddha's Footprint
Shrine, near Saraburi, Lop Buri, a former Khmer outpost and summer
residence of late Ayutthayan monarchs; Phetchaburi, 120 kilometres
south and palaces and Kaeng Krachan, Thailand's largest national
park; Cha Am and Hua Hin, two popular beach resorts, 173 and 198
kilometres southwest of Bangkok; the coastal Sam Roi Yot National
Park, one hour south of Hua Hin; and Prachuap Khirl Khan, some
320 kilometres from the capital, a fishing town with a scenic
bay, beachside pagoda and resident monkey tribe.
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