Phetchaburi
| Phetchaburi เพชรบุรี | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
|
Picture taken from atop Khao Wang, in the palace compound, looking down on Phetchaburi | |
 Location in Phetchaburi Province | |
| Country | Thailand |
| Province | Phetchaburi Province |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.4 km2 (2.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 26,181 |
| • Density | 4,800/km2 (13,000/sq mi) |
Phetchaburi (Thai: เพชรบุรี (Pronunciation)) is a town (thesaban mueang) in southern Thailand, capital of Phetchaburi Province. In Thai, Phetchaburi means "city of diamonds" (buri meaning "city" in sanskrit). It is approximately 160 km south of Bangkok, at the northern end of the Thai peninsula. As of 2005, the town had a population of 26,181 and covers the two tambon Tha Rap and Khlong Krachaeng.[1]
The Phetchaburi River runs through the middle of the city. The region is mostly flat, save for a single hill (called Khao Wang) on the outskirts of town. The royal palace named Phra Nakhon Khiri and one of the many wats are on top of Khao Wang. The hill and town is the site of an annual festival, called the Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair. It lasts for eight days in early February and includes a sound and light show and classical Thai dance.
The official city flower is the leelowadee flower or frangipani.
Phetchaburi is known for its traditional Thai desserts. The most well-known is a custard dessert called khanom mor gaeng. Other popular desserts include Portuguese-influenced thong yip, thong yod, and foi thong.
Climate
| Climate data for Phetchaburi(1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 30.4 (86.7) |
31.1 (88) |
32.1 (89.8) |
33.3 (91.9) |
33.4 (92.1) |
32.9 (91.2) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.2 (90) |
31.5 (88.7) |
31.1 (88) |
30.5 (86.9) |
31.98 (89.56) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 21.2 (70.2) |
23.1 (73.6) |
24.8 (76.6) |
25.8 (78.4) |
26.0 (78.8) |
25.9 (78.6) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.1 (77.2) |
24.6 (76.3) |
23.3 (73.9) |
21.0 (69.8) |
24.33 (75.8) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 11.4 (0.449) |
3.9 (0.154) |
33.1 (1.303) |
36.9 (1.453) |
99.5 (3.917) |
92.0 (3.622) |
80.8 (3.181) |
92.3 (3.634) |
153.6 (6.047) |
278.4 (10.961) |
93.8 (3.693) |
11.6 (0.457) |
987.3 (38.871) |
| Avg. rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 1 | 104 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 74 | 77 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 80 | 82 | 77 | 72 | 76.6 |
| Source: Thai Meteorological Department (Normal 1981-2010), (Avg. rainy days 1961-1990) | |||||||||||||
Education
Phetchaburi has numerous private and public schools from K-12. Several have English programs taught by native English speakers to ready students for higher education. Some of the well-known schools are Prommanusorn School, Benjamaputit Mattayom school. Wat Don Kaitia Prathom school and Arunpradit Prathom/Mattayom school. There are also several universities including Phetchaburi Ratchabat University.
Life in Phetchaburi
Most locals are born in Phetchaburi or are from surrounding areas. A small minority of foreigners work as teachers at various prathom and mattayom schools. However, Phetchaburi is a largely agricultural town with numerous farms. People in Phetchaburi work in a variety of agriculture-related professions such as farmers, fruit growers, cow herders, and agricultural product vendors.
Leisure
The people of Phetchaburi engage in a variety of recreational activities. Fishing in the Phetchaburi River is quite popular. Young people can be seen playing football as well the traditional Thai sports, sepaktakraw. Adults and their families travel to Bangkok, go shopping or attend temples. The elderly can be seen playing chess and other board games by the riverside.
Cha-Am is a popular beach resort for Phetchaburi people as well as travellers from Bangkok and surrounding areas.
Transportation
In the city proper, the primary mode of transportation is by motor vehicles with motorcycles being the most popular. Cars are the second major form of transportation. Locals also travel by hired motorcycles and songthaews.
References
External links
Phetchaburi travel guide from Wikivoyage- Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi
Coordinates: 13°06′43″N 99°56′45″E / 13.11194°N 99.94583°E
