Kamphaeng Phet Hotels
Kamphaeng Phet’s verdant rustic mountains make an exciting contrast to the soft fertile forests that consist of several green national parks offering an unforgettable chance to experience the diverse flora and fauna found in Thailand. This ancient town, over 700 years old, is situated on the left bank of The Ping River and lies about 358 kilometres from Bangkok.
Previously known as ‘Cha Kang Rao’ and ‘Nakhon Chum’, Kamphaeng Phet was established by King Li Thai in the middle of the 14th century. The meaning of Kamphaeng Phet is ‘A wall made of diamond’, a reference to the six meter high protection wall with a moat that was built to defend the walled city. The old city has a tranquil forested area called Arunyik which is reserved for meditation and is inhabited by monks from Sri Lanka.
Rich with many monuments of archaeological relevance, these structures are neglected and dilapidated. Restoration and development work has begun in an attempt to save the national heritage. The Kamphaeng Phet National Museum and the Kamphaeng Phet Chalermphrakiat Museum exhibit the local history and lifestyle of the people of this region.
Most of the sights are located within the ancient walled city campus. These include Wat Phra Kaeo, a big royal temple in the centre of the town near a site that was a palace; Wat Phra That, smaller than Wat Phra Kaeo and representative of the Kamphaeng Phet architecture; Sa Mon, the palace site towards the north of Wat Phra Kaeo; and Wat Chang Rop, a large temple perched on a tall hill.
Kamphaeng Phet – Greatness in antiquity!