Ratchaburi Province
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| Statistics | |
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| Capital: | Ratchaburi |
| Area: | 5,196.5 km² Ranked 43rd |
| Inhabitants: | 791.217 (2000) Ranked 28th |
| Pop. density: | 152 inh./km² Ranked 22nd |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-70 |
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Ratchaburi (often short Rat'buri, Thai ราชบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi. In the west it borders Myanmar.
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Geography
Khao_Binn.jpg
The east 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 Binn are accessible for visitors.
At the left bank of the Phachi river the Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park has been established in 2003, protecting 384.39 km² of forests which had been battle ground with the Communist party of Thailand in the past.
History
The history of the city of Ratchaburi dates back to the Dvaravati period, when it was an important city of the Mon kingdom. Of the contemporary city Ku Bua nearby only ruins remains. According to legend it even dates back to the mythical Suvannabhumi kingdom predating Dvaravati.
Demographics
1.1% of the population are members of the hill tribes, mostly Karen living near the boundary to Myanmar. Also some Mon, Lawa, Lao and Khmer minorities live in the province.
Symbols
| Missing image Seal_Ratchaburi.png Seal of the province | The provincial seal shows the royal sword and the royal sandals, as the name Ratchaburi means City of the King. The provincial slogan is คนสวยโพธาราม คนงามบ้านโป่ง เมืองโอ่งมังกร วัดขนอนหนังใหญ่ ตื่นใจถ้ำงาม ตลาดน้ำดำเนิน เพลินค้างคาวร้อยล้าน ย่านยี่สกปลาดี, which translates to Beautiful women of Photharam, beautiful women of Baan Pong, the city of earthern jars, shadow plays at Wat Khanon, magnificent caves, floating market at Damnern, bats, delicious Yii Sok fish.
The provincial flower is the Pink Shower Tree (Cassia bakeriana), and the provincial tree is Wrightia pubescens. |
Administrative divisions
Amphoe_Ratchaburi.png
Map of Amphoe
The province is subdivided into 9 districts (Amphoe) and one minor district (King Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 104 communes (tambon) and 935 villages.
| Amphoe | King Amphoe | |
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External links
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand (http://www.tourismthailand.org/province/province.php?id=69)
- Golden Jubilee Network province guide (http://kanchanapisek.or.th/cgi-bin/kp8/oncc/province.cgi?prov=c16)
fr:Province de Ratchaburi ja:ラーチャブリー県 nl:Changwat Ratchaburi th:จังหวัดราชบุรี