Phetchaburi

Phetchaburi covers 6,225 square kilometres and is bordered by Ratchaburi to the north, the Gulf of Thailand to the east, Prachuap Khiri Khan to the south, and Myanmar to the west. Kaeng Krachan National Park, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, protects some of the most intact monsoon forest in Southeast Asia and harbours elephants, tigers, gaurs, and over 400 bird species. The provincial capital, Phetchaburi city, is an ancient town with five hilltop temples, Khmer-era prangs, and several royal palaces including Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang), a hilltop palace built by Rama IV. The beach resort town of Cha-am in the south attracts visitors from Bangkok seeking a quieter alternative to Hua Hin, which lies just across the provincial border. The province has a population of around 478,000 and is known for its palm sugar, sweet desserts, and traditional dried fruits.