Phetchaburi province
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Phetchaburi เพชรบุรี |
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| Province | ||
Cha-am Beach
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 Map of Thailand highlighting Phetchaburi Province |
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| Country | Thailand | |
| Capital | Phetchaburi town | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Chatphon Ratdutsadi (since October 2016) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6,225.1 km2 (2,403.5 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | Ranked 36th | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 474,192 | |
| • Rank | Ranked 58th | |
| • Density | 76/km2 (200/sq mi) | |
| • Density rank | Ranked 68th | |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-76 | |
Phetchaburi (Thai: เพชรบุรี, pronounced [pʰét.t͡ɕʰā.bū.rīː]) is one of the western or 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. Phetchaburi has a national park called "Kaeng Krachan" which consists of a reservoir overlooking its islands.
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 about 3,000 km² the Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailand's largest national park, covering nearly half of the province. 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 only significant river of the province is the Phetchaburi River.
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.
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.
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Wikipedia