Ratchaburi Province

Ratchaburi (often shortened Rat Buri, Thai: ราชบุรี (Pronunciation)) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi. In the west it borders Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar.

Ratchaburi is 80 kilometres west of Bangkok and borders Burma to the west with the Tanaosi Range as a natural borderline. The Mae Klong River flows through the centre of Ratchaburi town.

Etymology

The word "ratch" originates from the Sanskrit word "raja" meaning "king" or "royal", and the word "buri" from Sanskrit "puri" meaning "town" or "city". Hence the name of the province literally means "royal city".

Geography

Ratchaburi Province is medium-sized province with an area of about 5,196 km². The eastern 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 Bin are accessible for visitors. The main river of the western part is the Phachi River.

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Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi (Thai: ราชบุรี (Pronunciation)) is a town (thesaban mueang) in western Thailand, capital of the Ratchaburi Province. It covers the whole tambon Nai Mueang of Mueang Ratchaburi district. As of 2006 it had a population of 38,208.

History

At one time the town was on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Over time the coast has moved 30 km (18 miles) away to the south, due to sedimentation coming down the Mae Klong (river). Ratchaburi remains an important commercial centre, however. Archeological discoveries show that the area was already settled in the Bronze Age, and the town itself is known to have existed for at least two thousand years. In the thirteenth century Ram Khamhaeng seized Ratchaburi and incorporated it into the Sukhothai Kingdom. Later it was an important trade centre in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. In 1768 the Burmese (who had recently destroyed Ayutthaya) were thrown out of Ratchaburi by King Taksin, and the town became part of Siam.