Phetchaburi Province

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Phetchaburi
เพชรบุรี
Statistics
Capital: Phetchaburi
Area: 6,225.1 km²
Ranked 36th
Inhabitants: 435,377 (2000)
Ranked 58th
Pop. density: 70 inh./km²
Ranked 68th
ISO 3166-2: TH-76
Governor: Sayumphon Limthai
(since November 2006)
Map
Map of Thailand highlighting Phetchaburi Province}

Phetchaburi (often short Phet'buri, Thai เพชรบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Prachuap Khiri Khan. In the west it borders Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Phetchaburi is located at the northern end of the Malay Peninsula, with the Gulf of Thailand to the East and the Tanaosi mountain range forming the boundary to Myanmar. Except these border mountains most of the province is a flat plain area. With an area of about 3000 km² the Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailands largest national park, covering nearly half of the province. It protects mostly rainforests in the mountains along the boundary to Myanmar, but also the Kaeng Krachan reservoir is part of the park. The only significant river of the province is the Phetchaburi River.

Several caves are found in the province, most notable the Khao Luang caves near the capital city. Illuminated by a hole in the roof several Buddha statues are placed in the cave.

Approximate centre: 12°54′N 99°39′E

[edit] History

Khao Wang
Enlarge
Khao Wang

Phetchaburi is an old royal city, dating back to the Mon of the 8th century. Later Khmer settled in the city, as can be seen by the prangs of Wat Kamphaeng Laeng.

Im 1860 King Mongkut built a palace near the city of Phetchaburi, commonly known as Khao Wang, but its official name is Phra Nakhon Khiri. Next to the palace the king built a tower for his astronomical observations. On the adjoining hill is the royal temple Wat Phra Kaeo.

[edit] Symbols

Image:Seal_phetchaburi.png The provincial seal shows the Khao Wang palace in the background. In front are rice fields bordered by two palm tree, symbolizing the major crops in the province.

Provincial tree is Eugenia cumini.

[edit] Administrative divisions

Map of Amphoe

The province is subdivided into 8 districts (Amphoe), which are further subdivided into 93 communes (tambon) and 681 villages (muban).

  1. Mueang Phetchaburi
  2. Khao Yoi
  3. Nong Ya Plong
  4. Cha-am
  1. Tha Yang
  2. Ban Lat
  3. Ban Laem
  4. Kaeng Krachan

[edit] External links

Provinces of Thailand Flag of Thailand
Capital: Bangkok
North: Chiang Mai | Chiang Rai | Kamphaeng Phet | Lampang | Lamphun | Mae Hong Son | Nakhon Sawan | Nan | Phayao | Phetchabun | Phichit | Phitsanulok | Phrae | Sukhothai | Tak | Uthai Thani | Uttaradit
North-East: Amnat Charoen | Buri Ram | Chaiyaphum | Kalasin | Khon Kaen | Loei | Maha Sarakham | Mukdahan | Nakhon Phanom | Nakhon Ratchasima | Nong Bua Lamphu | Nong Khai | Roi Et | Sakon Nakhon | Si Sa Ket | Surin | Ubon Ratchathani | Udon Thani | Yasothon
Central: Ang Thong | Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | Chachoengsao | Chai Nat | Kanchanaburi | Lop Buri | Nakhon Nayok | Nakhon Pathom | Nonthaburi | Pathum Thani | Phetchaburi | Prachuap Khiri Khan | Ratchaburi | Samut Prakan | Samut Sakhon | Samut Songkhram | Saraburi | Sing Buri | Suphan Buri
South: Chumphon | Krabi | Nakhon Si Thammarat | Narathiwat | Pattani | Phang Nga | Phatthalung | Phuket | Ranong | Satun | Songkhla | Surat Thani | Trang | Yala
East: Chanthaburi | Chon Buri | Prachin Buri | Rayong | Sa Kaeo | Trat