Famous for its abundance of tropical fruits and as a centre of gems, the eastern province of Chanthaburi is also blessed with rich, verdant forests with scenic waterfalls. The Chanthaburi River flows through the town which has been the home of ancient communities. Quiet fishing villages and peaceful beaches are not far from town.
Chanthaburi was occupied by the French during the early part of the 20th century. Their influence can be seen in the architecture of many buildings including the largest Catholic cathedral in Thailand, catering to a sizeable Christian population.
About 245 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an area of 6,338 square kilometers, Chanthaburi as administratively divided into the following districts:- Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Khlung, Laem Sing, Pong Nam Ron, Makham, Soi Dao, Na Yai Am, Kang Hang Maeo and Khao Khitchakut sub-district.
Etymology
The word Chantha originates from the Sanskrit word Chandra meaning moon, and the word buri from Sanskrit Puri meaning town or city. Hence the province name literally means City of Moon.
Geography
While the southern part of the province is located at the shore to the Gulf of Thailand and thus is mostly coastal alluvial plains, the hinterlands of the province are quite mountainous. The Chanthaburi mountain range in the north has the highest elevation of the province, the 1556 m high Soi Dao Nua Peak. The main river of the province is the Chanthaburi River.
Together with the neighboring province Trat, Chanthaburi is the center of gemstone mining, especially rubies and sapphires. Tropical fruits are also among the main products of the province. In 2000, it produced nearly 380,000 tons of durian, which was 45.57% of Thailand's durian production and approximately 27% of the world production of this fruit.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows the moon surrounded by an aura. Inside the moon disc is a rabbit, as in Thai tradition the dark areas on the moon (maria) form a rabbit shape. The seal symbolizes the peace and tranquility of the province. The moon also refers to the province name, which mean City of Moon.
The flag of the province also shows the seal in the middle - a white rabbit on the yellow moon disc, on a blue disc. The background of the flag is red, with the name of province in yellow written below the seal.
The provincial tree is Diospyros decandra, provincial flower is an orchid.
The provincial slogan is Magnificent Waterfalls, Fruit City, Good Breeding Peppercorns Loads of Gems, Chanthabun Mat, Fertile Nature, Gathering Place of King Taksin the Great’s Liberation Army.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided in 10 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 76 subdistricts (tambon) and 690 villages (muban).
- Mueang Chanthaburi
- Khlung
- Tha Mai
- Pong Nam Ron
- Makham
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- Laem Sing
- Soi Dao
- Kaeng Hang Maeo
- Na Yai Am
- Khao Khitchakut
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