Phetchabun (Thai: เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Lopburi, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, and Phitsanulok.
Phetchabun is in the lower northern region of Thailand, in the area between the northern and the central region. The province lies in the broad fertile river valley of the Pa Sak River, with mountains of the Phetchabun mountain range to the east and west. It boasts national parks, waterfalls, and lakes.
The province is subdivided in 11 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 117 subdistricts (tambon) and 1261 villages (muban).
The word phetcha originates from the Sanskrit word vajra meaning "diamond" (or weapon of Indra), and the word bun from Sanskrit purna meaning "full", "perfect" or "whole". Hence the name of the province literally means "perfect diamond".
Initially, the province was called "Phe-cha-buth" as "Phuenchapura", which means the city that has plenty of crops. The reason is that the province is very fertile and has ample resources. Because of the fertility of the land, Phetchabun has always been agriculturally productive area.
Phetchabun is a town (thesaban mueang) in Thailand, capital of Phetchabun Province. It covers the tambon Nai Mueang of the Phetchabun district, along the Pa Sak River. As of 2005, it had a population of 23,823. Phetchabun lies 340 km north of Bangkok.
From historical evidence, it is believed that Phetchabun was established by two kingdoms, the Sukhothai Kingdom and the Ayutthaya Period of King Narai. Initially the province was called "Phe-cha-buth" as "Phuenchapura", which means "the town that grows plenty of crops", because the province is very fertile.
The Pa Sak River runs through the east side of Phetchabun from north to south. The town lies in a valley; the two ranges of the Phetchabun Mountains rise to both the east and west.
Phetchabun has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Winters are dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is very hot with the average daily maximum at 37.2 °C (99.0 °F). The monsoon season runs from late April through early October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.
Phetchabun may refer to