General Information
 Phetchaburi,
locally known by Thais as Mueang Phetch, is located
160 kilometers south of Bangkok. One of Thailand’s central
region provinces, Phetchaburi is situated on the western
shore of the Gulf of Thailand with an overall area of
approximately 6,225 square kilometers. Its terrains
throughout the western border, where Tanaosri Range
lies as a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar,
are mountainous dense jungles. In the east, there is
an 80-kilometer long coastline towards the Gulf of Thailand.
 A
very old city which used to be an important royal fort
town, Phetchaburi had been given several names such
as, Phripphri, Phripphli or Phetchaphli. Some historians
have gone as far as to say that Phetchaburi could have
been named in Indian style, as the Indian influence
in those days day was strong. Others put forward the
idea that the name Phetchaburi might have originated
from Maenam Phetch – the most important river of the
town.
Whatever the assumptions are, the fact
that Phetchaburi is an ancient city with a very long
history is undeniable. This has been proven by many
archaeological findings which could be dated back to
the Dvaravati Period.
During Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Kingdoms,
Phetchaburi was a strategic royal fort in the west.
Only a lineage of Kings had the rights to rule this
historical city. That is why Phetchaburi has been called
by some scholars as the "Living Ayutthaya"
as the town shares many similar things to the City of
Ayutthaya. The prosperity of the Ayutthaya Kingdom can
be seen and appreciated in Phetchaburi’s wealth of fine
old temples.
In the Rattanakosin Era, Phetchaburi has changed its
character to a town of charming beauty, with peaceful
seaside resorts and superb natural reserves. The three
Kings of the Rattanakosin Period, King Rama IV, V, and
VI established their retreats here. They built the three
palaces namely Phranakhonkhiri, Phraramrajanivet, Phrarajnivesmarugadayawan
in Phetchaburi thus, Phetchaburi is also known as Mueang
Sam Wang (the city of the three Palaces). The province
is also well known for its splendid historical park,
ancient temples, wonderful beaches and caves, as well
as a great variety of local and fresh seafood. Phetchaburi
also has a popular resort town, “Cha-am” which is the
premier beach resort in the province.
The majority of the local residents
are engaged in agricultural activities including rice
farming, upland crop farming, fruit farming, palm sugar
production, animal husbandry and sea and fresh water
fisheries.
There are three important Maenam in
Phetchaburi including "Maenam Phetchaburi” with
an overall length of 227 kilometers, "Maenam Bang
Kloy", with an overall length of 44 kilometers,
and "Maenam Bang Tabun", with an overall length
of 18 kilometers.
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