Phetchaburi province facts for kids

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Phetchaburi

เพชรบุรี

Province

Khao Phanoen Thung, Kaeng Krachan National Park

Flag

Seal

Nickname(s):

Mueang Phet

Map of Thailand highlighting Phetchaburi province

Country

Thailand

Capital

Phetchaburi

Area

• Total

6,225 km² (2,403 sq mi)

Area rank

Ranked 35th

Population

(2018)

• Total

484,294

• Rank

Ranked 56th

• Density

78/km² (200/sq mi)

• Density rank

Ranked 65th

Human Achievement Index

• HAI (2017)

0.5984 "somewhat high"
Ranked 28th

Time zone

UTC+7 (ICT)

Postal code

76xxx

Calling code

032

ISO 3166 code

TH-76

Phetchaburi (Thai: เพชรบุรี) is a province in the western part of Thailand. It shares borders with Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. To its west, Phetchaburi meets the Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar. This province is famous for being home to Kaeng Krachan National Park, which is Thailand's largest national park.

Exploring Phetchaburi's Geography

Phetchaburi is located at the northern tip of the Malay Peninsula. To the east, it has a coastline along the Gulf of Thailand. The Tanaosi mountain range forms its western border with Myanmar. Most of the province is a flat plain, but the mountains are found along the border.

Kaeng Krachan National Park: Thailand's Largest Park

Kaeng Krachan National Park is huge, covering almost half of Phetchaburi province. It is Thailand's largest national park, protecting large areas of rainforest in the mountains. The park also includes the Kaeng Krachan Reservoir. Over half of the province's land is covered by forests. The main river flowing through Phetchaburi is the Phetchaburi River.

A Look at Phetchaburi's History

Phetchaburi has a long and interesting past. It was once known by names like "Pipeli" or "Pribpri". These names show that it was an important kingdom in southern Thailand, similar to Tambralinga. Its name was even written down by a French diplomat, De la Louère, during the time of King Narai in the Ayutthaya period.

Royal Palace and Observatory

In 1860, King Rama IV built a beautiful palace near the city of Phetchaburi. People often call it Khao Wang, but its official name is Phra Nakhon Khiri. Right next to the palace, the king also built a special tower to watch the stars. On a nearby hill, you can find the royal temple called Wat Phra Kaeo.

Symbols of Phetchaburi Province

The official seal of Phetchaburi province shows the Khao Wang palace in the background. In front of the palace, you can see rice fields and two coconut palm trees. These symbols represent the main crops grown in the province.

The provincial tree is the Eugenia cumini. The Thai mahseer fish (Tor tambroides) is the provincial fish. It is known for being tasty and used to be common in the Phetchaburi River.

Phetchaburi's Natural Environment

The coastline of Phetchaburi, especially near Pak Thale, is a special place. It has salt pans, muddy areas, mangrove trees, and sand spits. This area is considered one of the best places in Thailand to watch shorebirds. Many different types of waterbirds visit this site to feed and rest, both during their migrations and in winter. Over 7,000 waterbirds can be seen here during the northern hemisphere winter.

However, this important natural area is facing threats. New buildings and the effects of climate change, like rising sea levels, are putting this ecosystem at risk. Some rare birds that visit this area are also in danger, such as the critically endangered Spoon-billed sandpiper and Great knot, along with the Nordmann's greenshank and Far Eastern curlew.

How Phetchaburi is Governed

Map of eight districts

Phetchaburi province is divided into eight main areas called districts (amphoe). These districts are then split into smaller parts called subdistricts (tambons), and even smaller areas called villages (mubans).

Provincial Districts

The eight districts of Phetchaburi are:

Mueang Phetchaburi
Khao Yoi
Nong Ya Plong
Cha-am
Tha Yang
Ban Lat
Ban Laem
Kaeng Krachan

Phetchaburi's Economy

Phetchaburi province is an important place for making salt. Many families in the province work in salt production.

Sweet Palm Sugar and Desserts

The province is also famous for its palm sugar (Thai: น้ำตาลปึก). Phetchaburi has more sugar palm trees than any other province in Thailand. Making palm sugar is a special skill, especially in Ban Lat District. This sugar is a key ingredient in many delicious Thai desserts, like Khanom mo kaeng. Because of its many sweet treats, Phetchaburi is sometimes called the "city of desserts."

Tourism in Phetchaburi

Tourism is a big part of Phetchaburi's economy. Many people visit the province for its beaches and attractions. However, the province has seen a decrease in visitors recently. This is partly due to coastal erosion, especially in Cha-am District, which has changed the look of the beaches.

Human Achievement Index 2017

The Human Achievement Index (HAI) measures how well people are doing in different areas of life. In 2017, Phetchaburi province scored 0.5984, which is considered "somewhat high." This put Phetchaburi in 28th place among all the provinces in Thailand. The HAI looks at eight key areas of human development to give a complete picture of well-being.

Getting Around Phetchaburi

Phetchaburi Railway Station

The main train station in Phetchaburi is Phetchaburi Railway Station. It is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. On weekends and public holidays, a special train service from Bangkok to Suan Son Pradiphat stops at this station and also at Cha-am Railway Station.

Healthcare in Phetchaburi

The main hospital in Phetchaburi is Phrachomklao Hospital. It is managed by the Ministry of Public Health.

Arts and Crafts of Phetchaburi

Phetchaburi has a long history, which has led to its own unique style of arts and crafts. This style is known as "Phet School." Some examples of the crafts found here include:

Banana stalk carving: Phetchaburi is very well known for this craft. Traditionally, these carvings were used to decorate special ceremonies.
Thai lacquer work: This is another beautiful craft from the region.

Popular Tourist Spots in Phetchaburi

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

Beautiful Beaches

Hat Cha-am (หาดชะอำ): This long, pine-lined beach is one of Thailand's most popular. It has a mix of traditional Thai charm and modern facilities.
Hat Chao Samran (หาดเจ้าสำราญ): Legend says that ancient kings, like King Naresuan the Great, loved this beach. Its name means "beach of royal leisure."
Hat Chomphon (หาดจอมพล): Located next to Hat Chao Samran, this beach is very quiet and peaceful. It has restaurants and a hotel and is maintained by the Royal Thai Army. Its name means "field marshal's beach."

Historical and Cultural Sites

Maruekhathaiyawan Palace (พระราชนิเวศน์มฤคทายวัน): This beautiful wooden palace by the sea was once a summer home for King Rama VI in the 1920s. It is known as the "palace of love and hope."
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครคีรี): This park covers a hilly area with an old palace and historic temples near the town. It features royal halls and buildings that mix Thai, Western, and Chinese architectural styles.
Wat Kamphaeng Laeng (วัดกำแพงแลง): This temple was originally a Khmer place of worship. Later, it became a Buddhist temple, but its old sandstone walls and four Khmer-style pagodas still remain.

Nature and Wildlife Experiences

Chang Hua Man Royal Project (โครงการชั่งหัวมัน ตามพระราชดำริ): This is a royal agricultural project started by the late King Rama IX. It's an experimental farm where different crops are tested to help farmers across the country. You can take tours and visit a restaurant here.
Laem Phak Bia and Pak Thale (แหลมผักเบี้ยและปากทะเล): This large area of salt pans, mudflats, and mangroves is a top spot for birdwatching in Thailand. Many rare shorebirds visit here.
Whale Watching (ดูวาฬ): From October to February, you might be lucky enough to see Bryde's whales feeding along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Watching these huge whales open their mouths to catch small fish is an amazing experience. Boat tours are available from Hat Chao Samran and Laem Phak Bia piers.
Kaeng Krachan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแก่งกระจาน): As Thailand's largest national park, it is full of wildlife. It's considered one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants.

Delicious Food in Phetchaburi

Phetchaburi is famous for its unique and tasty dishes:

Khanom mo kaeng: This is a Thai coconut and egg custard. It's the most well-known souvenir from the province.
Khao chae: This traditional Thai dish, meaning "soaked rice," is hard to find elsewhere but is common in Phetchaburi. It was influenced by Mon cuisine.
Kaeng lok: This is a special, rare curry from Phetchaburi. Its name means "false curry" because it uses a curry paste without chili, unlike other curries. Only a few restaurants still make it today.
Kuay teaw nam daeng: These are braised pork noodles served in a unique sweet, red broth.