Chonburi Province

Chonburi
ชลบุรี
Province

Flag
Seal
Country Thailand
Capital Chonburi
Government
 • Governor Phakkhrathon Thianchai (since October 2016)
Area
 • Total 4,363 km2 (1,685 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 51st
Population (2015)
 • Total 1,455,039[1]
 • Rank Ranked 16th
 • Density rank Ranked 13th
Time zone UTC+7 (ICT)
ISO 3166 code TH-20

Chonburi (Thai: ชลบุรี, RTGS: Chon Buri,  [tɕ͡ʰōn bū.rīː] ( listen)) is an eastern province (changwat) of Thailand.[2] Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, and Rayong. To the west is the Gulf of Thailand. Chonburi is home to Thailand's largest tourist-oriented city, Pattaya (also spelled Phatthaya). It is home to Thailand's largest and primary seaport. Due to these factors, the province's population is growing rapidly, with currently some 1.7 million residents (albeit with a large floating or unregistered population).[3] The registered population as of 31 December 2012 was 1.36 million.[4]

History

From historical evidence, Mueang Chonburi has been settled since sometime during the Ayutthaya period of Thai history. The region for centuries was one of small towns such as Bang Sai, Bang Pla Soi, and Bang Phra. King Rama V combined these to form Chonburi Province.

Etymology

The word "chon" originates from the Sanskrit word "jala" meaning water, and the word "buri" from Sanskrit "puri" meaning "town" or "city". Hence the name of the province literally means "city of water".

Geography

The province is on the Bay of Bangkok, the northern end of the Gulf of Thailand. The Khao Khiao mountain range stretches from the northwest to the southeast of the province, while the fertile plains of the north were long used for farming. In Laem Chabang, in the south of the province, is one of the few deep-water harbours of Thailand.

The provincial permanent legal population has risen at nearly 4% annually from 1,040,865 in 2000 to 1,554,365 in 2010.[3] There is a large floating population of long term residents (non-Thai) without permanent status, on perpetual tourist visa and/or migrant workers (legal or not), as well as heavy, short term tourist influxes.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the hill Khao Sam Muk, on which there is a sala with a statue of the goddess Chao Mae Sahm Muk of whom it is believed that she protects seafaring fishermen and the local population.[5]

The provincial tree and flower is the "New Guinea Rosewood" (Pterocarpus indicus, called Mai Pradu in Thai).

The provincial motto is 'Beautiful beaches, delicious khao lam, sweet sugar cane, delicate basketry products, and buffalo racing.'

Administrative divisions

The province is divided into 11 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 92 sub-districts (tambons) and 691 villages (mubans).

  1. Mueang Chonburi
  2. Ban Bueng
  3. Nong Yai
  4. Bang Lamung
  5. Phan Thong
  6. Phanat Nikhom
  1. Si Racha
  2. Ko Sichang
  3. Sattahip
  4. Bo Thong
  5. Ko Chan

Cities and towns

RankCity/townDistrict (Amphoe)PopulationArea(km²)community town of
1Chaophraya SurasakSi Racha128,664306.44Si Racha
2PattayaBang Lamung101,93922.2
3Ban SuanMueang Chonburi61,072n/aChonburi
4Laem ChabangSi Racha(and part of Bang Lamung)64,607109.65
5Nong PrueBang Lamung49,55845.54Pattaya
6Saen Suk (Bang Saen)Mueang Chonburi42,84320.843Chonburi
7Chonburi*Mueang Chonburi34,7444.567
8Ang SilaMueang Chonburi25,67318.6Chonburi
9Sattahip*Sattahip22,5396.22
10Huai YaiBang Lamung22,208153Pattaya
11Si Racha*Si Racha19,2214.058
12Ban Bueng*Ban Bueng]16,336n/a
13Huai KapiMueang Chonburi15,29714.5Chonburi
14Mon NangPhanat Nikhom13,52252.58Phanat Nikhom
15Phanat Nikhom*Phanat Nikhom11,7172.76
16Bang SaiMueang Chonburi11,1402.16Chonburi
17Nong Mai DaengMueang Chonburi10,68910Chonburi
18Bang SareSattahip7,8757.87Sattahip
19Don Hua LoMueang Chonburi7,67018.5Chonburi
20Tha Bun MiKo Chan6,3485.692
21Ko Sichang*Ko Sichang4,9757.9
22Nong Phai KaeoBan Bueng2,01811.692Ban Bueng

* District capital

Transport

Airports

Chonburi is about 120 kilometres (75 mi) by road from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the country's largest International airport. By road, it is accessed from Sukhumvit Road and Motorway 7 from Bangkok. Chonburi is also served by scheduled flights via U-Tapao International Airport (UTP) which is 45 minute drive south of the city.

Highways

The main road through Chonburi is Thailand Route 3, also known as Sukhumvit Road. To the north-east it connects to Bangkok and to south it connects to Rayong Province, Chanthaburi Province and Trat Province. Route 344 leads east to Klaeng (which is also on Route 3). Route 7 runs parallel to Route 3 but bypasses the densely populated coastal area, connecting to the beach resort city of Pattaya.

Rails

State Railway of Thailand, the national passenger rail system, provides service in the province, with the main station being Chon Buri Railway Station.

Health

Many hospitals exist in Chonburi, both public and private. Chonburi has one university hospital, Burapha University Hospital. Its main hospital operated by the Ministry of Public Health is Chonburi Hospital. Hospitals operated by other organisations such as the Thai Red Cross Society (Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital), and the Royal Thai Navy (Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital) are also located in the province.

Tourism

Some nine million visitors to the province were recorded in 2012, of which 6.1 million were from abroad, most of these being Russian, 2.2 million visitors.[6]

Culture

Festivals

Chonburi Annual Festival (งานนมัสการพระพุทธสิหิงค์และงานกาชาดประจำปีจังหวัดชลบุรี) fair held mid-April during the Songkran Festival. Phra Phutthaishing, Chonburi's principal Buddha image, is carried in a procession around the city.

Wan Lai Festival (ประเพณีวันไหล) is a Chonburi merit-making day of the seamen on the Thai New Year during the Songkran Festival, running from 13–20 April every year. There is almsgiving to the monks, the ritual pouring of water onto the Buddha's image, sand pagoda making, splashing water and local games and sports in Chonburi. The areas where the Wan Lai Festival is organized are as follows:

Pattaya–Na Kluea Wan Lai Festival and Na Kluea Kong Khao Fair (งานประเพณีวันไหล พัทยา- นาเกลือ และงานกองข้าวนาเกลือ) are organized on 18–20 April every year at Lan Pho Public Park, Na Kluea and Wat Chai Mongkhon in south Pattaya.
Songkran Si Maha Racha Festival and Kong Khao Tradition (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์ศรีมหาราชาและงานประเพณีกองข้าว) an ancient festival of the locals. Si Racha District preserves this tradition and organizes it every year, during 19–21 April, to worship the gods who have been protecting them throughout the year. Activities include the procession led by the elderly and organizations in traditional Thai costume, a worship ceremony, spirit offering ceremony, Kong Khao tradition demonstration, local games, demonstrations, and sales of traditional desserts and local food.
Ko Phra Sai Wan Lai Festival, Bang Saen (งานประเพณีก่อพระทรายวันไหล บางแสน) Originally, it was called "Ngan Thambun Wan Lai", a gathering of people from villages to do the merit making in the Songkran Festival or the Thai New Year's Day, taking place on 16–17 April, every year. Monks from every temple in Saen Suk sub-district are invited to perform the religious ceremony. There is merit-making, food offering and bahting ceremony. Later, there are activities of sand pagoda making, water splashing, local games and sports.

Ngan Bun Klang Ban and Phanat Nikhom Basketwork (งานบุญกลางบ้าน และเครื่องจักสานพนัสนิคม) On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the first week of May or the Thai 6th lunar month. The locals bring food, offer it to the monks, and dedicate the merit to the guardian spirits, enemies from a former life, deceased relatives, as well as, to drive out bad things, to ask for rain during the season and to wish for abundant food and plants. After the religious ceremony, there is lunch, local games, and a demonstration of Phanat Nikhom basketry making.

Chonburi Buffalo Race (งานประเพณีวิ่งควาย) In Ban Bueng and Nong Yai districts. The animals are dressed outrageously or with creatively by owners. Assembled in the courtyard in front of the town hall, the buffaloes partake in racing, or take part in physical fitness and fashion contests. The Chonburi Buffalo Race festival started more than 100 years ago.[7] Usually, the races will be complemented with booths selling locally made items, stage performances, games and beauty contests.[8] The annual Buffalo Race, held around the 11th lunar month, normally in October. It takes seven days and takes place on the field in front of the city and provincial government offices. The highlight of the festival is the buffalo race which is on the last two days. This race is 100 meters– long. The prize for the first nose past the finish line is a trophy and some money.[9]

Bangsaen Beach Legend

Bangsaen Beach[10] is a tourist attraction in Chonburi that has a legends of love story in a fisherman’s village. There is a couple who flight to living together even though they had to face many obstacles.

A long time ago in Chonburi province, Thailand, there was a fisherman's village that had Kamnun Bire as the headman. He was widowed and had a handsome son, who was named Saen. Many ladies in the village aimed to marry him, but he did not care about any of them. One day, Saen went to play with a kite on the beach, but the waves and wind were very strong, so the string snapped and his kite flew away. After the storm gradually subsided, Saen tried to find his kite, so he climbed a mountain. Then he found a lady who had picked up his kite on the mountain peak. Her name was Sammuk,[11] and she was so beautiful that Saen fell in love with her. He wanted her to give his kite back and got to know each other. After that, he came to see her every day, and both of them loved each other more and more. A couple of months later, Sean gave a ring to Sammuk and promised that they would love each other till the end of the world. If they broke the promise, they would commit suicide by jumping down the mountain where both of them first met. Then one day, Bire found out the truth then he was furious and did not allow Sean to see Sammuk. She waited for Saen every day until she heard a rumor that Bire would provide a lady to marry Saen. Both Sammuk and Saen felt sad, but they could not do anything. During blessed water ceremony on the wedding day, Sammuk turned over the ring to Saen and jumped off the mountain immediately. She jumped off the mountain as their promised. Then Saen jumped off following Sammuk. Bire was very upset, but he built a memorial monument for Saen and Sammuk.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Population of the Kingdom" (PDF). Department of Provincial Affairs (DOPA) Thailand (in Thai). 2015-12-31. Retrieved 26 Apr 2016.
  2. ↑ "Chon Buri". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 http://www.citypopulation.de/php/thailand-admin.php
  4. ↑ http://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/stat/y_stat55.html
  5. ↑ "Chonburi". THAILEX Travel Encyclopedia. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "Chon Buri sees 9mn visitors in 2012". The Nation. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  7. ↑ สำนักงานคณะกรรมการวัฒนธรรมแห่งชาติ, ประเพณีวิ่งควาย (1994). ชีวิตไทยชุดบรรพบุรุษของเรา.กรุงเทพฯ : คุรุสภาลาดพร้าว, 2013
  8. ↑ "Chonburi buffalos race Oct. 14-20". Pattaya Mail. 2013-09-06. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  9. ↑ "Buffalo Racing". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  10. ↑ "Pattaya Area Guide: Bangsaen Beach". pattaya. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "ตำนานเขาสามมุก จังหวัดชลบุรี". tumnandd. Retrieved 28 August 2015.

[1] [2] [3]

Coordinates: 13°21′44″N 100°59′0″E / 13.36222°N 100.98333°E / 13.36222; 100.98333

  1. ↑ 13. Pattaya Area Guide. [online] Available at: http://www.pattaya.net/area_bangsaenbeach.html [Accessed 1 April. 2018].
  2. ↑ 14. Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden: A Glimpse of the Buddhist Underworld. [online] Available at: http://www.thebohemianblog.com/2013/06/wang-saen-suk-hell-garden-thailand.html [Accessed 1 April. 2018].
  3. ↑ 15. Destination: Wat Saen Suk – one of the best hell temples yet (NSFW). [online] Available at: http://www.oneweirdglobe.com/destination-wat-saen-suk-one-best-hell-temples-yet-nsfw/ [Accessed 1 April. 2018].
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