Phetchaburi, whose short name is Muangphetch,
is an ancient city having a very long history. The
archaeological evidence suggests that the community
existed since the Dvaravati Period. The evidence
clearly shows that during Sukhothai and Ayutthaya
Periods, Phetchaburi was and important city in the
West, a fortified frontier of the Ayutthaya Kingdom
against the Burmese. A lineage of Kings ruled this
historical city. The history of Phetchaburi has
been found in the remains and antiques, not to mention
the valuable works of art handed down from its ancestors
to the present generation.
In the Rattanakosin Period,
Phetchaburi has changed its role from a strategic
city to a town full of natural beauty, a seside
resort and a place to take a pleasant journey
to. The three Kings of the Rattanakosin Period,
King Rama the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth found their
retreats here. They built the three palaces :
Phranakhonkhiri, Phraramrajanivet, Phrarajnivesmarugadayawan
in Phetchaburi.
Phetchaburi has been nicknamed
by some scholars as the " Living Ayutthaya
" because the town has many things similar
to the Ayutthaya City which was almost completely
destroyed after the Thai-Burmese War over two
hundred years ago. The prosperity of the Ayutthaya
Kingdom, and can be seen and appreciated by anyone
who is interested.
Phetchaburi occupies an area
of 6,225 square kilometres, characterised by thick
jungles and mountain ranges lying in the west
as a border between Thailand and Myanmar, and
80 km. long coastline towards the Gulf of Thailand
in the east. Phetchaburi is divided into 8 districts
(Amphoes): Muang Phetchaburi, Ban Laem, Ban Lat,
Cha-am, Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yoi, Nong Ya Plong
and Tha Yang.
Distance from Amphoe Mueang
to Other Districts :
Tha Yang 18 kilometres
Cha-am 40 kilometres
Ban Laem 12 kilometres
Ban Lat 8 kilometres
Khao Yoi 23 kilometres
Nong Ya Plong 34 kilometres
Kaeng Krachan 57 kilometres
Hua Hin 66 kilometres
Ratchaburi 54 kilometres
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