Ratchaburi ราชบุรี |
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Province | ||
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Map of Thailand highlighting Ratchaburi Province |
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Country | Thailand | |
Capital | Ratchaburi town | |
Government | ||
• Governor | Suraphon Sawaengsak (since October 2014) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 5,196.5 km2 (2,006.4 sq mi) | |
Area rank | Ranked 43rd | |
Population (Ranked 28th) | ||
• Total | 853,217 | |
• Density | 160/km2 (430/sq mi) | |
• Density rank | Ranked 22nd | |
Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
ISO 3166 code | TH-70 |
Ratchaburi or Rat Buri (Thai: ), is one of the western provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi. In the west it borders Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar.
Ratchaburi is 80 kilometres west of Bangkok and borders Burma to the west with the Tanaosi Range as a natural borderline. The Mae Klong River flows through the centre of Ratchaburi town.
Ratchaburi Province is medium-sized province with an area of about 5,196 km2. The eastern part of the province contains the flat river plains of the Mae Klong River, crisscrossed by many khlongs. The most famous tourist spot in this area are the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak. The west of the province is more mountainous, and includes the Tanawsri mountain range. As the mountains are made mostly of limestone, there are several caves containing stalactites. Some caves are inhabited by large colonies of bats, and it is an impressive sight when they swarm out in the evening to feed. Other caves like the Khao Bin are accessible for visitors. The main river of the western part is the Phachi River.