Ratchaburi (ราชบุรี)

Thai. ‘Royal city’. Name of a province (map) and its capital city of the same name in West Thailand about 100 kms from Bangkok with a population of around 46,000. Like Samut Songkhram it is situated on the banks of the Mae Khlong river. Little is lnown about its early history, but according to legend, Ratchaburi dates back to the Suwannaphum Kingdom, thus predating the Dvaravati period, in which Ratchaburi is known to have been an important city of the Mon Kingdom, of which the ruins of Khu Bua still testify today. Its places of interest include the famous floating market of Damnoen Saduak (fig.) and it is famous for the production of large earthen water vessels decorated with dragon motifs and called ohng mangkon (fig.). Sometimes pronounced Raatburi, which is usually transliterated Ratburi, whilst also other translierations are commonly used, e.g. Rachaburi and Rajaburi. The province has nine amphur and one king amphur. See also Ratchaburi data file. 回