Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
Encyclopedia
Prachuap Khiri Khan is one of the central provinces
Provinces of Thailand
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces , which are geographically grouped into 6 regions. The capital Bangkok is not a province but a special administrative area and is included as the 77th province since it is administered at the same level as the other 76 provinces. The name of the provinces are...

 (changwat) of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...

. Neighboring provinces are Phetchaburi
Phetchaburi Province
Phetchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Prachuap Khiri Khan...

 in the north and Chumphon
Chumphon Province
Chumphon ) is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, at the shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani and Ranong...

 in the south. To the west it borders Tanintharyi Division
Tanintharyi Division
Tanintharyi Region , is an administrative region of Myanmar, covering the long narrow southern part of the country on the Kra Isthmus. It borders with the Andaman Sea to the west and with the Tenasserim Hills, beyond which lies Thailand, to the east. To the north is the Mon State. The capital of...

 of Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....

.

Prachuap Khiri Khan, or commonly referred to as simply Prachup, is a province located in the lower central region 93km south of Hua Hin. While much smaller and quieter than Hua Hin, Prachuap is actually the provincial capital of the same-named province. It connects with the South of Thailand and possesses various interesting tourist attractions such as beaches, islands, forests and mountains.

Geography

Prachuap Khiri Khan covers an area of 6,367.620 square kilometres. The district is located on the Kra Isthmus
Kra Isthmus
The Kra Isthmus is the narrow land bridge which connects the Malay Peninsula with the mainland of Asia, and popularly named "The Devil's Neck".-Geography:...

, the narrow landbridge connecting the Malay Peninsula
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland...

 with mainland Asia. The province contains the narrowest part of Thailand - directly south of the capital, it is just 13 kilometers from the coast of the Gulf of Thailand
Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand , also known in to Malays as Teluk Siam literally meant Gulf of Siam, is a shallow arm of the South China Sea.-Geography:...

 to the border with Myanmar. The narrowest point of the Isthmus is however further south in the province Chumphon. Geographically, Prachuap Khiri Khan is a moderate plain area with altitude varying from 0 - 1200 meters above sea level. The maximum altitude can be reached in the north eastern and central west regions, which makes up approximately 30% of the area.
The long coast to the Gulf of Thailand has many sandy beaches, the most famous one being at Hua Hin
Hua Hin
Hua Hin is a famous beach resort town in Thailand, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok. It has a population of 84,883 in an area of 911 km², and is one of eight districts of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.Hua Hin is closely associated with the...

, which has been a popular resort since King Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...

 (Rama VII) built a summer palace there. From the coast the land quickly rises into the Tanaosi Range, the mountain chain which forms the border to Myanmar, the highest elevation in the province being the 1494-meter-high Khao Luang
Khao Luang
Khao Luang is the tallest mountain in southern Thailand. It is located in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province.-Geography:The Khao Luang mountain is the highest summit of a massif of several hills with steep slopes...

. Due to this narrow watershed the rivers in the province are all small; the only bigger one is the Pran Buri River
Pranburi River
The Pran Buri River is a river in the Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand, on the Kra Isthmus of the Malay Peninsula. The Pran Buri river originates in southern part of the Kaeng Krachan National Park, and after 130 km mouths into the Gulf of Thailand. The only town at the river course is...

 in the north of the province. Among the smaller rivers is the Khlong Kui
Khlong Kui
-Geography:The Khlong Kui drains into the Gulf of Thailand from the Malay Peninsula in Thailand. It flows through Ban Pong Kasang and Ban Thung Faek, Kui Buri district, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.-References:...

.

The Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Khao Sam Roi Yot is a marine national park in Sam Roi Yot district, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. It covers 98.08 km², of which 20.88 km² are marine areas. The park was established in 1966, and was the first coastal national park of Thailand....

 was established in 1966 to protect Thailand's largest freshwater marshes. The park also contains some mangrove woods and mudflats. Most of the marshes were converted into shrimp farms, despite being in a national park.

History

The city of Prachuap Khiri Khan was reconstructed in 1845, after it was abandoned during the fall of the Ayutthaya kingdom
Ayutthaya kingdom
Ayutthaya was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese , Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the walls of the...

 in 1767. The town was rebuilt at the mouth of the Ron River during the 19th century and renamed Prachuap Khiri Khan.

King Mongkut
Mongkut
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama IV, known in foreign countries as King Mongkut , was the fourth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851-1868...

 gathered 3 cities -- Bang Nangrom, Kui Buri and Khlong Wan -- to settle and named the area Prachuap Khiri Khan province. At the same time, he renamed Koh Kong
Koh Kong Province
Koh Kong is a province of Cambodia. The name means "Kŏng Island Province". Its capital is Koh Kong.-Geography:The most south-western province of Cambodia, Koh Kong has a long undeveloped coastline and a mountainous, forested and largely inaccessible interior which embraces part of the Cardamom...

, the city that located on the east side of Gulf of Siam(recently Gulf of Thailand), as Prachanta Khiri Khet. Now Koh Kong
Koh Kong Province
Koh Kong is a province of Cambodia. The name means "Kŏng Island Province". Its capital is Koh Kong.-Geography:The most south-western province of Cambodia, Koh Kong has a long undeveloped coastline and a mountainous, forested and largely inaccessible interior which embraces part of the Cardamom...

 is a province of Kingdom of Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...

.

In 1868, King Mongkut
Mongkut
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama IV, known in foreign countries as King Mongkut , was the fourth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851-1868...

 invited several guests to watch the solar eclipse
Solar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...

 on September 18. Being fond of science he predicted the event by himself, but the chosen observation point was the marshes near Sam Roi Yot where he contracted malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...

, of which he died two weeks later.

It became an old seaside resort of the country during the reign of King Rama V. From historical evidence, Prachuap Khiri Khan was a location of Mueang Na Rang during the Ayutthaya period. In the reign of King Rama II of Rattanakosin, a new city was established at the mouth of the I Rom Canal and was named Mueang Bang Nang Rom. Moreover, during the reign of King Rama IV, Mueang Bang Nang Rom, Mueang Kui, and Mueang Khlong Wan were combined into Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan which means a city of mountains. The city hall was situated at Mueang Kui until 1898, it was then moved to Ao Ko Lak or Ao Prachuap, the location of Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan nowadays.

During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

ese troops occupied Thailand. On December 8, 1941, they first landed near the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan. After one day of battle
Battle of Prachuab Khirikhan
The Battle of Prachuab Khrikhan was an early engagement of the Japanese Invasion of Thailand in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II. It was fought on December 8, 1941 at the airfield of Prachuap Khiri Khan in Thailand, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand along the Kra Isthmus...

 the Thai troops resigned and had to allow Japan to use Thailand as a base for their war operations.

Symbols

The provincial seal
Seals of The Provinces of Thailand
-Present-day provinces of Thailand:This list includes all the seals of the Provinces of Thailand. It also includes the special administrative area of the capital, Bangkok.-Former Provinces:-External links:*...

 shows the Kuha Karuhas pavilion, which was built when King Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam...

 (Rama V) visited the Praya Nakorn Cave (Amphoe Sam Roi Yot). Depicted behind the pavilion is the island of Ko Lak in Prachuap Bay, the historic center of administration.

The provincial tree as well as the provincial flower is the rayan or manilkara (Manilkara hexandra
Manilkara hexandra
Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the Sapotaceae family that is native to much of south Asia Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the Sapotaceae family that is native to much of south Asia Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the...

).

The provincial slogan is City of pure gold, delectable coconuts and pineapples, delightful beaches, mountain and caves, land of spiritual beauty.

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 8 districts (amphoe
Amphoe
An amphoe is the second level administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as district, amphoe make up the provinces, and are analogous to a county seat...

). The districts are further subdivided into 48 communes or sub-districts (tambon
Tambon
Tambon is a local government unit in Thailand. Below district and province , they form the third administrative subdivision level. As of the 2009 there are 7255 tambon, not including the 169 khwaeng of Bangkok, which are set at the same administrative level, thus every district contains 8-10 tambon...

) and 388 villages (muban
Muban
Muban is the lowest administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as village, they are the subdivision of tambon. As of 2008, there are 74944 administrative villages in Thailand. As of the 1990 census, the average village consisted of 144 households or 746 persons.A muban does not...

).
  1. Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan
    Amphoe Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan
    Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan is the capital district of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.- History :In the Ayutthaya era, the area of modern Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan was the location of two ancient cities, Mueang Narang and Khlong Wan. When Ayutthaya Kingdom was destroyed, the...

  2. Kui Buri
    Amphoe Kui Buri
    Kui Buri is a district in the northern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.-History:Mueang Kui was an ancient city of Ayutthaya kingdom. In the reign of King Boromakot, Kui was 4th class city. The governor position was Phra Kui Buri. In Rattanakosin, King Rama II established a...

  3. Thap Sakae
    Amphoe Thap Sakae
    Thap Sakae is a district in the southern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.-History:The area of Thap Sakae was separated from Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan and Bang Saphan district. Due to its fertile land and sea many people migrated to this area and established 3 villages,...

  4. Bang Saphan
    Amphoe Bang Saphan
    Bang Saphan or Bangsaphan is a district in the southern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.-History:...

  5. Bang Saphan Noi
    Amphoe Bang Saphan Noi
    Bang Saphan Noi or Bangsaphan Noi is the southernmost district of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.-History:The minor district Bang Saphan Noi was split off from Bang Saphan district on June 10, 1974....

  6. Pran Buri
    Amphoe Pran Buri
    Pran Buri is a district in the northern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.-History:Mueang Pran was a city in the southern cities group of Ayutthaya kingdom. In the reign of King Mongkut , the governor of Mueang Pran had full authorised administrative...



  1. Hua Hin
  2. Sam Roi Yot
    Amphoe Sam Roi Yot
    Sam Roi Yot is a district in the northern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.-History:The minor district Sam Roi Yot was created on April 1, 1995 by splitting the tambon Rai Kao, Sila Loi and Sam Roi Yot from Pran Buri district.On September 7 1995 tambon Sala Lai was created...



Roads

Prachuap is located on Thailand Route 4 (Phetkasem Road), which links the central region with the south.

Rail

The railway system in Prachuap Khiri Khan is located on the southern route from Bangkok. There are 5 major stations in Prachuap Khiri Khan: Hua Hin, Pran Buri, Muang, Bang Saphan Yai, and Bang Saphan Noi.

Bus

Air-conditioned buses ply regularly to and from Bangkok. In Bangkok, the buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). From the Kanchanburi Bus Terminal there are non air-conditioned buses to other districts and neighbouring provinces.

Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicles)

Songthaews are the most popular form of public transport in the provincial town and rural areas.

Motorbike-taxi

There is motor-bike service in the town, especially around the market and bus terminal areas.

Tourism

Thailand’s royal family and especially former kings were the first to set this location on the map as the original seashore destination in Thailand. The long white sandy beaches themselves are clean and pretty, much more so than Pattaya’s, and the sea is relatively clean. Besides sunbathing snorkeling and swimming, visitors can also enjoy golf, spas, caves, peaks, waterfalls, shops, seafood and nearby national parks. The town is warm and friendly making it pleasant for families and couples.

Prachuap Khiri Khan is in fact more of a holiday destination with the local Thais than foreigners with many Bangkokians purchasing condominiums there.

For accommodation you can visit the Viennahouse in Klongwan close to Prachuap Khiri Khan town and Ao Manao beach:
http://www.viennahousethailand.com

Attractions

  • Pran Buri Forest Park (วนอุทยานปราณบุรี) Pran Buri Forest Park possesses a white sandy beach that is shady with a 1-kilometre line of pine trees on the east of the park. Moreover, from the park, the scenery of the sea, are the islands of Ko Singto, Khao Takiap and Khao Tao. This forest originally began as a royal project under the patronage of Queen Sirikit.

  • Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสามร้อยยอด) It comprises high and steep limestone mountains by the beach and a wet mud plain beach combining with shallow sea, as well as limestone islets lined up near the shore, where various kinds of birds reside during November and February. It was named a national park on June 28, 1966, the fourth national park of the country and the first marine national park of Thailand. There are many attractions within the park which include Khao Daeng View Point, Tham Sai, Thung Sam Rot and Hat Laem Sala.

  • Khao Chong Krachok (เขาช่องกระจก) is a small mountain where a large number of stump-tailed macaques reside. Its entrance is behind the City Hall with 396 steps to the summit, being a height of 245 metres from sea level. It is the location of Wat Khao Chong Krachok where a replica of the Buddha’s footprint and the relics of the Buddha, which the King came to attend its containing ceremony on June 12, 1958, and planted a Bodhi tree, are enshrined.


  • Ao Manao (อ่าวมะนาว) Ao Manao was once a battlefield in World War II between the Thai and Japanese armies. It is a clean beach suitable for swimming. Opposite the beach stands Khao Lom Muak. At ebb tide, a long sand bar will appear. At the summit of Khao Lom Muak, there is a replica of the Buddha’s footprint. Moreover, at the foot of the mountain stands a shrine of Chaopho Khao Lom Muak.

  • Hat Wanakon National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหาดวนกร) It is a mixed deciduous forest generally comprising sparse woods and various shed-leaf plants mixed together such as Phai Pa and Bambusa bambos Originally, this area was a planted forest, mixed with a natural-grown one, which was just recovered. Fish found are fresh-water fish such as catfish, snake-headed fish, climbing perch, Nile tilapia, and various kinds of sea fish. The beach is 7 kilometres long, lined with Horsetail trees.

  • Namtok Huai Yang (น้ำตกห้วยยาง) is a small 9-tiered waterfall near the office of the Huai Yang National Park. It is popular for those wanting to relax due to its scenery and interesting nature study route.

  • Ko Thalu, Ko Sang, Ko Sing (เกาะทะลุ เกาะสังข์ เกาะสิงห์) are small islands located close to one another. Geographically, it comprises beaches, mountains and coconut groves with abundant white sandy beaches such as Ao Muk (อ่าวมุก), surrounded by a scenic atmosphere, white sand and a nicely coloured sea and corals.

Activities

Cruising along the Pran River (ล่องเรือแม่น้ำปราณ)

The Pran River originates from the Kaeng Krachan forest, passing mountains in the west before flowing into the sea at the mouth of the Pran River. Long-tail boats ply past important local attractions such as the City Pillar Shrine and Chaomae Thapthim Shrine.

Home Stay (โฮมสเตย์)

Ban Fang Tha Wildlife Preservation Village (หมู่บ้านอนุรักษ์พันธุ์สัตว์ป่าบ้านฝั่งท่า) It is a village with agro-tourism activities. Long-tailed boats float along the Pran Buri River passing mangrove forest, protected birds and water animals. Other attractions are Aromatic Coconuts - Maphrao Namhom, pineapples, pomeloes, sapodillas, mangoes and bananas. It can be considered a mixed cultivation garden.

Diving

Diving in Prachuap Khiri Khan may not be the kingdom’s best but there is still opportunity to experience exotic coral and marine life.

Bangsapan Located in the southern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Bangsapan is home to a couple of islands for decent snorkeling and diving.

Ko Thalu By far, Ko Talu is the most appealing area in the vicinity for diving. The island offers divers shallow fringing reef and coral gardens with large schools of snappers, fusiliers and the occasional large ray. Besides Ko Thalu, there is also Ko Sang and Ko Lamla.

Trekking

The forest around Pa La-U Waterfall is the well known place for trekking. There are various species of birds and butterflies and some species of wild animals in the area.
Spa Spa service is Hua Hin is well-known to be amongst the best in the region. If fact, one spa the Chiva Som Resort has won claims before that it is the best spa in the world. Spa service is found in abundance at the location’s local top accommodation.

Golf
Golf courses are available in nearby Hua Hin.

Local products

Local products include accessories from coconut shells, Khommaphat printed fabric, the printed fabric in traditional Thai patterns, brooms, utensils made of sisal fibre, bamboo woven products, as well as fresh and preserved food.

Nightlife

Since Prachuap Khiri Khan is a quiet laid-back place, there isn’t much in the way of nightlife. For those fancying a drink however, they go to the open-air restaurants and hotel bars in the area.

Lifestyle

Prachuap Khiri Khan is a predominantly Thai-Chinese area where most of the locals are engaged in some kind of business or the other.

Events and festivals

  • Hua Hin Jazz Festival (หัวหิน แจ๊ส เฟสติวัล) is a festival presenting the musical performances of a large number of Thai and international musicians. It is organised nearby the Hua Hin seaside around June.

  • Khao Chong Krachok Tak Bat Devo Ceremony (ตักบาตรเทโวเขาช่องกระจก) is organized at Wat Thammikaram Worawihan, at the foot of Khao Chong Krachok, Mueang District, Prachuap Khiri Khan during the End of Buddhist Lent every year. Besides an exhibition of votive tablets and Buddha images, there is also a traditional Chak Phra Festival and float parade of the Lord Buddha’s biography.

  • A Fair to Commemorate the “Heroic Deeds of 8 December 1941” (งานรำลึก “วีรกรรม 8 ธันวาคม 2484”) is organised at Ao Manao within the compound of Wing 53, Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan, from 7-10 December to commemorate and honour the heroic deeds of the Thai civilians, police and soldiers who fought in the battle with the Japanese army which brought their troops into Thailand at Ao Manao during World War II on 8 December, 1941. In the event, there are academic exhibitions of the air force authorities and various other governmental offices, booths offering local products, and various forms of entertainment such as Lam Tat - a performance presenting an exchange of impromptu poetic verse, and Khon - a mask dance - in impromptu style.

Local food

Local food from Pran Buri District are seasonal fruits, products from pineapples and preserved fruits.
Local food from Thap Sakae District include honey baked bananas, honey baked coconuts and products from aloe vera.

Medical care

Prachuap Khiri Khan has many medical centers but not the major ones. The major medical centers can be found at the nearby Phetchaburi or Bangkok.

Media/Contact

Prachuap Khiri Khan has a few local media, such as Thai newspapers, the English written Hua Hin Today Newspaper, the "Cable TV" channel in Thai and a few magazines. Most written information people in Hua Hin would find are pamphlets, flyers, free maps and other advertising materials for local hotels and real estate business'.

Nationwide Television, cable TV, local cable TV channels are available here. International newspapers and magazines are also available in English language book stores.

Landline telephone, all mobile phone systems, high-speed internet (ADSL), post offices and parcel services are available in Hua Hin.

Climate

External links


The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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