Geographically, the Central Region extends from rugged western mountains bordering Burma to the northeast plateau to the east; extends northwards to Nakhon Sawan where the Ping, Wang, Nan and Yom rivers unite to form the Chao Phraya River (River of Kings) which flows southwards to dissect Bangkok before entering the Gulf of Thailand; and southwards to Prachuap Khirikhan where Thailand is compressed to its narrowest point, some 60 kilometres wide between western mountains and the Thai Gulf.

The Chao Phraya River largely irrigates the Central Plain, one of the world's major rice and fruit-growing areas, and sustains an intricate network of canals that irrigate bountiful orchards and market gardens; host vibrant floating markets; and support a unique, waterborne way of life.

The Central Region is extremely rich in historical sites. These include Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Lopburi and, most important of all, Bangkok, Thailand's capital and major point-of-entry.