Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi lies on the Mae Klong River, west of the Chao Phraya plain. Its long history is reflected in Wat Mahathat, a sanctuary near the heart of the old town. Archaeological evidence points to a Dvaravati settlement, followed by Khmer influence: a laterite enclosure and a Khmer-style sanctuary were built around the thirteenth century. In the early Ayutthaya period a principal prang and three subsidiary towers were added. South of the town, the ancient site of Khu Bua preserves further remains of Dvaravati religious buildings.