Phetchaburi province

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 2915 km2 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 3,562 km² or 57.7% of provincial area. The only significant river of the province is the Phetchaburi River.

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History

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.

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.

Environment

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.

Economy

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".

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".

Administrative divisions

Provincial government

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

Local government

As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Phetchaburi Provincial Administration Organisation (ongkan borihan suan changwat) 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).

Human achievement index 2022

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.

Transportation

Phetchaburi's main station is Phetchaburi Railway Station, 150.49 km 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.

Health

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

Art

Phetchaburi has a long history, which has given rise to its distinctive artistic style, now known as the "Phet School". Among its notable handicrafts is the intricate banana stalk carving, for which Phetchaburi is especially renowned. Traditionally, these carvings were used to decorate crematoriums during funerals. The region is also known for its Thai lacquerware and other traditional crafts.

Food

Notable dishes in Phetchaburi include:

• Khanom mo kaeng: A Thai coconut and egg custard, considered the most prominent and renowned souvenir of the province.
• Khao chae: A traditional Thai dish that is increasingly rare in modern times but remains commonly found in Phetchaburi. Influenced by Mon cuisine, its name literally means "soaked rice".
• Kaeng lok: An authentic curry unique to Phetchaburi. It is a rare dish, little known even within the province, with only a few restaurants still preparing and selling it today. The name translates directly to "false curry", as it is made with curry paste that contains no chili, unlike other curries.
• 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.

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

References

References

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