Ratchaburi province
If you can imagine the side profile of an elephant's head as a the shape of Thailand, Ratchaburi Province sits at the top of the trunk, acting as a buffer between Burma and Bangkok, and between the capital and the long peninsula that extends all the way down to Malaysia and Singapore.
This strategic positioning has seen the province change hands many times in the past -- it was a provincial centre of the Angkorian Kingdom and formed the thoroughfare for a number of Burmese invasions during the Ayutthaya Period. There is still a large army base on the north side of the Mae Khlong Rover and a strong militay presence about the same-named capital city.
The province is quite small, covering a total area of only 5,196 sq km, and is best known for the Damnoen Saduak floating market. By far the most popular sight is this tourist trap floating market which is most often reached from Bangkok, although a stay overnight in the provincial capital will allow you to see the market before the hordes arrive.
Visitors to Thailand aren't falling over themselves to explore Ratchaburi, but if you make it here, there's a bunch of minor attractions, including a bat cave, a few interesting wats and a traditional Thai puppet school.
