Phetchaburi province

Phetchaburi (, ) or Phet Buri () is one of the western or central provinces (changwat) of Thailand.

In addition to the landlocked capital Mueang Phetchaburi, other main habitations are Cha-am (touristy beach resort town), Ban Laem (coastal district famous for salt production and seafood), Ban Lat (central district primarily focused on farming), Tha Yang (major agricultural hub known for its markets), Khao Yoi (Known for its caves and the Thai Song Dam ethnic culture), Nong Ya Plong (mountainous northwestern area popular for hot springs and nature), Kaeng Krachan (home to Thailand’s largest national park Kaeng Krachan National Park

Etymology

Phetchaburi means "city of diamonds", buri means "city" in Sanskrit language.

History

Phetchaburi, earlier known as the Phrip Phri () or Srijayavajrapuri (from Jaya+Vajra+buri from Sanskrit), was a Xiān political entity located on the west coast of the Bay of Bangkok, lower central Thailand. It was established in the 12th century by a royal Pprappanom Tteleiseri from Soucouttae/Locontàï. Previously, the city was a maritime-oriented port on the ancient trade route between India and China during the Dvaravati period, but was abandoned around the 11th century following the decline of the Dvaravati civilization. In the 12th century, Phrip Phri was possibly under Lavo's Ayodhya since several royals from Ayodhya were appointed the rulers of Phrip Phri, as mentioned in local chronicles and legends. It then became the vassal of the emerging Siamese Sukhothai and later formed part of the Ayutthaya kingdom in 1351, which made it functioned as a significant fortified frontier of Ayutthaya. Originally, Phetchaburi was known as "Pipeli" (พลิพลี), or "Pribpri" (พริบพรี) as it used to be one of the southern kingdoms in Thai history alike to Tambralinga. Its name was recorded in De la Louère's memo during the reign of King Narai in the middle of the Ayutthaya period.

Phetchaburi has been the location of multiple summer palaces commissioned by various kings. In 1860, King Rama IV 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.

In 1910, King Rama V, constructed Phra Ram Ratchaniwet, now also known as Ban Puen Palace, slightly further south of Khao Wang. This was completed in the reign of King Rama VI, who also constructed Mrigadayavan Palace in 1923. in Cha-am district.

Geography

Phetchaburi is at the north end of the Malay Peninsula, with the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the Tanaosi mountain range forming the boundary to Myanmar. Except for these border mountains most of the province is a flat plain. With an area of Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailand's largest national park, covering nearly half of the province, along with five other national parks, make up region 3 (Phetchaburi branch). It protects mostly rain forests in the mountains along the boundary to Myanmar, but also the Kaeng Krachan Reservoir is part of the park. The total forest area is or 57.7% of provincial area. The only significant river of the province is the Phetchaburi River.

Administrative divisions

thumb|Province with districts

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the Khao Wang palace in the background. In front are rice fields bordered by two coconut palm trees, symbolizing the major crops in the province.

The provincial tree is Eugenia cumini. Thai mahseer (Tor tambroides) is a provincial fish that is delicious and used to be found in the Phetchaburi River.

Provincial government

The province is divided into eight districts (amphoe), which are further divided into 93 subdistricts (tambons) and 681 villages (mubans).

|---valign=top

Mueang Phetchaburi
Khao Yoi
Nong Ya Plong
Cha-am

<li>Tha Yang

<li>Ban Lat

<li>Ban Laem

<li>Kaeng Krachan

</ol>

Local government

As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Phetchaburi Provincial Administration Organisation (') and 15 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. Phetchaburi and Cha-am have town (thesaban mueang) status. Further 13 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). The non-municipal areas are administered by 69 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations – SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon).

Demography

Human Achievement Index 2022

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| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Housing

| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Family

| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Transport

| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Participation

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| colspan="4"; style="background:black; color:white;"| Province Phetchaburi, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6733 is "high", occupies place 4 in the ranking.

Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human Achievement Index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017.

Cullinary culture

Notable dishes in Phetchaburi include:

Khanom mo kaeng: A Thai coconut and egg custard, considered the most prominent and renowned souvenir of the province.

Kuay teaw mam daeng: Braised pork noodles served in a special sweet, red-colored broth.

Nam phrik lam pan: A traditional Thai spicy chili sauce (nam phrik) incorporating lam pan, a species of mangrove fruit that gives it a distinctive flavor. It is considered a delicacy of Phetchaburi and was voted the "Lost Taste" of the province in 2024.

Ecology

Phetchaburi's shoreline on the Inner Gulf of Thailand in the area of Pak Thale consists of salt pans, mudflats, mangroves, and sand spits. It has been termed, "the premier bird watching site for shorebirds in Thailand". The 123-acre site provides sustenance for both passage and wintering species, as well as residents. The area hosts more than 7,000 waterbirds during the northern hemisphere winter. Economic development of the tidal flats, compounded by the impacts of climate change, threaten this ecosystem's future. Several regular visitors are under threat, including the critically endangered Spoon-billed sandpiper and Great knot, Nordmann's greenshank, and Far Eastern curlew.

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|<strong>Location protected area of Phetchaburi</strong>

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| style="width:32%;"|National park

|  1 ||Kaeng Krachan

Economy

right|thumb|[[Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park (Khao Wang), coastal and hill nations park tourism is one of the key driver of the local economy.]]

Primary production

Phetchaburi province is an important salt producer. In 2011, 9,880 rai worked by 137 families were devoted to salt production in Phetchaburi.

The province is known for its palm sugar (; ). It has more sugar palm trees than any other province. Producing sugar is a specialty of Ban Lat District in particular. It is a key ingredient in many traditional Thai desserts, such as Khanom mo kaeng, which has earned Phetchaburi the nickname "city of desserts".

Health

Phetchaburi's main hospital is Phrachomklao Hospital, operated by the Ministry of Public Health.

Tourism

250px|thumbnail|[[Phetchaburi Railway Station.]]

Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of Phetchaburi province. The province, however, has dropped from the fourth to the sixth most popular destination in Thailand due to coastal erosion, much of it in Cha-am District, caused by rising sea levels leading to "deteriorating scenery".

Transportation

Phetchaburi's main station is Phetchaburi Railway Station, south of Hua Lamphong Railway Station. An excursion train Bangkok-Suan Son Pradiphat service only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, stop at this station including Cha-am Railway Station.

Gallery

File:ต้นตาล - panoramio - SIAMSEARCH.jpg|Toddy palm trees of Phetchaburi

File:หาดเจ้าสำราญ - panoramio.jpg|Hat Chao Samran

File:Cha-am, Cha-am District, Phetchaburi, Thailand - panoramio (4).jpg|View of Cha-am district

File:Cha am beach (8287815629).jpg|Hat Cha-am

File:CHA-AM BEACH - panoramio.jpg|Hat Cha-am at low tide

File:Sunrise On The Gulf Of Thailand (153903955).jpeg|Sunrise at Hat Cha-am

File:ปึกเตียน - panoramio.jpg|Aerial view of Hat Puek Tian beach

File:Tringa nebularia - Laem Pak Bia.jpg|Common greenshank at Laem Phak Bia

File:On the way back from Hua Hin - panoramio.jpg|Highway connecting Cha-am to Hua Hin of Prachuap Khiri Khan

File:Phra Ram Ratchaniwet Palace (I).jpg|Phra Ram Ratchaniwet Palace

</gallery>

References

External links

Website of province (Thai only)