Wat Pho, or Wat Phra Chetupon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn as it official is called, is a 200-year-old royal monastery in Bangkok, just south of the Grand Palace that attracts visitors for various reasons: the temple is famous for its huge gold Reclining Buddha and its 20 acres of beautiful grounds containing over 1,000 more Buddha images.

Wat Pho is also renowned as the center for traditional Thai medicinal massage, but a recent accolade relating to both Wat Pho's cultural and medical significance is about to make Wat Pho, and Thai massage, even more famous internationally.

Inscriptions on marble around the walls of Wat Pho's ceremonial hall and nearby pavilions are all that was known about Thai massage dating from the reign of King Rama III. This art treasure has fascinated visitors who flock to the attraction both to see Wat Pho's historic beauty, and also to indulge in a superb Thai massage.

The mention of "Ratchaburi" to tourists brings to mind the famous floating market that symbolizes the livelihood of the people - and Ratchaburi.

An ancient city, Ratchaburi connects to other provinces via the Damnoen Saduak Canal, more famously known as the Floating Market. The canal connects with the Tha Cheen River at Baan Paew, in Samut Sakhon and Mae Klong River at Bang Kondhi in Samut Songkhram.

The 32-kilometer Damnoen Saduak Canal covers some 200 sub-canals, but the heart of the Floating Market is around Klong Bodhi Huk, Klong Khun Pitak and Klong Ton Kem floating markets. However, Klong Bodhi Huk is the busiest with boat vendors selling their wares - even on Buddhist days - starting as early as 5 in the morning. If you come 6 hours later the place is deserted.

The saying that Phetchaburi is a "living Ayutthaya" is not considered an exaggeration. Both provinces share many similarities, whether in terms of historical sites, old temples or artistic forms. In both cases, craftsmanship has passed from generation to generation. Though the glory of Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital, ended over 200 years ago, Phetchaburi still remains its originate state as an old city.

Phetchaburi is the birthplace of unique and magnificent art and crafts such as stucco decorative art, paintings and woodcarvings. Crafts in this province are distinctive and cannot be found elsewhere.

Numerous temples in Phetchaburi serve as centers of learning for craftsmen and it is a tradition in this province for young men, after their monkhood, to contribute to the temple. Apart from textbooks and artistic creations found in various historical sites, stucco decorative art must be noted as an exceptional craft of Phetchaburi.