Phetchaburi Province Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Phetchaburi

เพชรบุรี

Province

Cha Am Beach

Seal

Map of Thailand highlighting Phetchaburi Province

Country

Thailand

Capital

Phetchaburi town

Area

• Total

6,225.1 km² (2,403.5 sq mi)

Area rank

Ranked 36th

Population

(2014)

• Total

474,192

• Rank

Ranked 58th

• Density

76.1742/km² (197.2903/sq mi)

• Density rank

Ranked 68th

Time zone

UTC+7 (ICT)

ISO 3166 code

TH-76

Phetchaburi is a beautiful province in western Thailand. It is known for its long history, stunning beaches, and delicious local sweets. The province is also home to Thailand's largest national park.

Exploring Phetchaburi's Geography
- Thailand's Largest National Park
A Glimpse into Phetchaburi's History
- The Royal Palace on the Hill
Discovering Phetchaburi's Tourism
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Phetchaburi's Geography

Phetchaburi is located in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. To its east, you'll find the sparkling Gulf of Thailand. Most of the land here is flat, like a big open field.

Thailand's Largest National Park

A huge part of Phetchaburi is covered by Kaeng Krachan National Park. This park is Thailand's largest, stretching over 3,000 square kilometers. It protects many different kinds of plants and animals.

A Glimpse into Phetchaburi's History

Khao Wang, a royal palace on a hill

Phetchaburi is a very old city with a rich past. It was once a royal city, meaning kings and queens lived here. Its history goes back to the 8th century, when the Mon people lived in the area. Later, people from the Khmer empire settled in the city. You can still see their influence in places like the ancient towers, called prangs, at Wat Kamphaeng Laeng.

The Royal Palace on the Hill

In 1860, King Mongkut (also known as Rama IV) built a palace near Phetchaburi city. This palace is famously known as Khao Wang, which means "hill palace." Its official name is Phra Nakhon Khiri historical park. The king also built a special tower next to the palace. He used this tower to observe the stars and planets. On a nearby hill, you can find the royal temple, Wat Phra Kaeo.

Discovering Phetchaburi's Tourism

Phetchaburi offers many exciting places to visit, from beautiful beaches to historical sites.

Popular Sights in Phetchaburi

Hat Cha-am (หาดชะอำ)

This long beach is lined with pine trees. It is one of Thailand's most popular beaches. It's a great place to relax and enjoy the sun.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครคีรี)

This park covers a hilly area near the town. It features an old palace and historical temples. The buildings combine Thai, Western, and Chinese styles. It's a fascinating place to explore history.

Wat Kamphaeng Laeng (วัดกำแพงแลง)

This temple was first built by the Khmer people as a place of worship. Later, it became a Buddhist temple. You can still see the old sandstone walls and four Khmer-style pagodas.

Haad Chao Samran welcome sign

Hat Chao Samran (หาดเจ้าสำราญ)

This beach has a special story. Legend says that King Naresuan the Great and King Eka Thotsarot visited this beach many times. They loved its beauty so much. Because of this, the villagers named it "Hat Chao Samran," which means "beach of royal leisure."

Delicious Local Products

Phetchaburi is famous for its wide variety of sweet foods. This is because they use Tanot (palm) sugar, which gives the sweets a unique flavor. Some popular treats include:

Mo-kaeng: A sweet dessert made from flour, sugar, and eggs.
A-lua and Sampanni: Sweets made from flour and sugar.
Thong Yip, Thong Yot, and Foi Thong: Sweets made from baked egg yolks.
Chao Tan Chueam: Palm seeds cooked in a thick, sweet syrup.

Exciting Festivals

Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair (งานพระนครคีรี)

This fair celebrates the important historical site of Phra Nakhon Khiri, also known as Khao Wang. This was King Rama IV's palace outside of the main city. The fair often includes cultural performances and activities.