@THAILAND
The old city will give you a genuine touch of living history, writes Chaiwat Satyaem
Photos by TAWATCHAI KHEMGUMNERD
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| Locals give alms to a monk at Wat Mahathat Woraviharn, an ancient temple which is a landmark of Phetchaburi city. Besides being the centre of faith of the locals, the temple also houses many exquisite stucco works by renowned Phetchaburi craftsmen. |
A stucco artwork at the top of a stupa in Wat Mahathat Woraviharn is one of the masterpieces by renowned Phetchaburi craftsman Thongruang Aim-oad. |
A stucco artwork inside Wat Mahathat Woraviharn features three main characters from the famous work of Thai literature, Phra Apaimanee. |
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| The main hall of Wat Suvarnnaram is packed with locals and visitors who come to pray on religious days. |
Toddy-palm sugar, a famous Phetchaburi product, is used to make sweets as it has a unique flavour and aroma. |
The remains of the ancient Hindu temple situated on Phra Song road near Wat Suvarnnaram. |
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| The neatly-decorated gable of Wat Suvarnnaram, which was built during the reign of King Rama V, is still in good condition due to local efforts to preserve the ancient site. |
A vihara at Wat Mahathat Woraviharn. The vihara houses many sacred Buddha images and is decorated with magnificent wall paintings. |
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| Phetchaburi is also famous for delicious sweets, which are ``must-eats'' for both locals and visitors. The province has been named the country's best producer of prime quality toddy-palm sugar. |
A lady sells joss sticks, candles, and pottery at an old wooden shophouse, which her family has run for several decades. |
For many folk, their hometown will always be their favourite city. So it is with Phetchaburi residents.
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| Phetchaburi craftsmen like to express their social and political thoughts via their work too. This stucco decoration at Wat Mahathat Woraviharn satirises politicians who act ``divine'' after coming to power but then oppress farmers or grassroots people. |
Located about 120 kilometres from Bangkok, Phetchaburi has beautiful beaches, mountains, pristine rivers, and an old city where people still forge a traditional way of life.
While decades-old wooden shophouses and old markets have vanished from many cities as developers move in, they are still relatively common in Phetchaburi.
This is not an attempt by residents to preserve their traditional living environment to lure tourists, but is truly their way of life.
So, unlike ''revamped'' old communities which have been promoted as selling points by the tourism industry, walking in the old city of Phetchaburi will give you a genuine touch of living history. Dozens of temples in downtown Phetchaburi are still in use as residents visit them regularly to make merit.
Phetchaburi temples are famous for their decorative stucco. Native artisans used their expertise to design stucco works to record social change and tell stories about Phetchaburi _ the town which the residents are proud to call their home.
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