Thursday, June 6, 2013

Khamphaengphet - a hidden jewel

I must admit that I was positively surprised by Khamphangphet.

All these years, I have been rushing through - or rather, around – the city. But after spending a joyful and relaxed weekend there, I can say it is a place to visit again. The roads along the river are small but not crowded and one can take leisurely walks along the shop houses, stop in small public parks, visit the local market, and take a rest on a small island in the river.

The Scenic Riverside Resort - which I chose from my GPS simply based on its name – turned out to be very neat, fairly priced, and family-run as I like my accommodations to be. The owner’s personal touch was clearly seen in the theme of the bungalows as well as in the interior design accessories. I felt like entering into a teenage girl’s room as the bungalow was cram-packed with stuffed animals and other cute stuff.

In any case, it was a good base for exploring the town and furthermore located in close proximity to the ruins from the town’s grand past. Khamphangphet was a religious center and had an important strategic location (both in terms of military and trade) during the Sukhothai and Aytthaya periods. The ruins are well preserved and the museum exhibition informative. If one is interested in history or simply likes to stroll around and enjoy fresh air under the shade of trees, then a visit to Khamphangphet’s Historical Park (ancient city area) is highly recommended.

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