Everyday the Petchaburi downtown market is bustling with restaurant owners and mamas looking for the best deals.  Tofu, peanuts, pastes in bulk, veggies, fresh coconut milk and a whole lotta sweets!

Petchaburi is famous for the sweets made from the palm cane harvested here.  Watchout for the square Chinese custard tins – they’re both addictive and dangerous!

Hidden behind the wat near the caves . . . transport yourself to the real Petchaburi.  Where cows graze in the fields beyond, and dragonflies swarm atop nearby brush.  If you can catch it while it’s open for business, the fried fish with lime, chilli and ginger is a flavor sensation!

Cute little café just across the street from Rabieng Guesthouse.  Friendly, funky and well ventilated – very nice.  Internet is available via cable (rather retro) and you’ll find a great selection of coffee drinks and otherwise to keep your thirst at bay.

Jonzin’ for some Starbucks-style ambience and the prices to match?  Stop in at The Body Shape, where all beverages are made with sucralose and non-dairy creamer, and the frappes are chock full of vitamin mix, collagen and white kidney bean powder.

It’s airconditioned, which is already luxury standard in Petch, and they offer internet for only 50 bhat per 3 hour session.  Personally, I’m hooked on the green tea frappe, but the coffee’s well-brewed and the smoothies look pretty decent as well.

We were all stoked to hear this little number just opened, nestled in the residential square between the train station and the track.  Surprising, as their neighbors lay claim to some of the most impressive houses in Petchaburi.  Which may explain the regulars here – well dressed, well manicured and relatively mature.  We’re told the owner opened the restaurant to serve the needs of those seeking less of an auditory raping and more of a civilized night out ;o)

The menu is being translated into English as I type (thanks to my friend, Tai!) and the usual beers and whiskeys are served with the backdrop of live local talent.

If you’re lucky, you may even catch a little bit of wild life here.  Upon our last visit, much to my surprise and pleasure, we ran into this little sweetheart at the table next to us – a SLOW LORIS in flesh and blood!

Ranked #1 of all high schools in the province, Benchama is home to gorgeous landscaping, indoor basketball court, beach volleyball court, a massive canteen and some of the brightest stars in public school academia.  Or at least, the richest.  Students here are inevitably from somewhat well-off families, as the uniform fee (read ‘tuition’) is the highest in the area.

The English Program consists of 10 native-speaking teachers with qualifications in English, Computer Science, Philosophy and TESOL.  The program holds weekend camps throughout the year for students and teachers to interact outside the classroom.  Training and competition judging are also priority for the rigorous speech competitions throughout the year.

Academics are tough here, though the ‘no fail’ policy and lack of multi-year interdisciplinary curriculum are often heated topics for farang teachers.

With everything from Som Tom to Pad Thai, this is a great spot for a quick casual eat.  The market is open air, with a sun-blocking roof and clean tables and chairs.  One warning: if you come at lunch or just after school (4pm) you may find yourself surrounded by whordes of high schoolers from Prommanusorn across the street.

One of our favorite stalls is the fruit juice couple.  They can whip up any smoothie or icee with fresh fruits or powders – anyway you like, in less than 5 minutes’ time.  But don’t expect much English here!  Pointing, dictionaries and smiles required ;o)

Situated on the meandering Petchaburi River in the downtown area, Mon Dee is the editor’s choice for best all-around restaurant in Petchaburi.  The atmosphere is “Friday everyday,” the dogs are just friendly enough, the typical Thai snack and nic-nac saleskids aren’t too pushy, and the food is consistently good every time.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays you’ll find live music – Simon and Garfunkle, Bob Marley and Crosby Still and Nash are pretty much always on rotation.  The staff are friendly, though expect no English chat from your waiter.  You’ll have to have a peek behind to the kitchen if you have any specific requests not already found on the menu.

Favorites are the whole fried fish with garlic (and they do not mess around with the garlic), Massaman Gung Sai Pak (Shrimp Massman with Vegetables), Eggplant Salad (one long roasted eggplant smothered in garlic and spices), the fresh vegetable salad and the rather large bottles of Singha and whiskey.  The menu is mostly in English, though some mysterious offerings haven’t been translated.  We’ve written them off as uber spicy serpent heads, but if that’s your cuppa tea, I’m sure inquiries are welcome!

Decked out in black and white stripes, Sirirat stands out in more ways than one.  To start, this is one of the few restaurants in Petchaburi with a distinctive logo and décor – and with the consistent aesthetic comes consistency in service – the dishes are served in record time.  It’s the perfect place for a quick reliable and very tasty meal.

On top of their marketing prowess, we can decisively say Sirirat boasts the best Tom Yam Gung in town.  Their soup packs a potent punch, chock full of all the goodies, most specially chili paste and oh-so-creamy coconut milk. Beware the waistline, because this dish is addictive!  Other notables include the sweet and sour shrimp, dim sum delectables and a variety of freshly bottled juices.

Choose from indoor seating or outside in an oddly-French-esque alleyway to the side of the restaurant.