Chonburi Province - Eastern

Capital : Chonburi

Area : 4,363.0 km x km

Inhabitants : 1,040,865 (2000)

Pop. Density : 239 inh./km x km

Chonburi is a province (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi and Rayong. To the west is the Gulf of Thailand. It is heavily industrialized and underpinned by shipping, transportation, tourism, and manufacturing industries, and second to only Bangkok in economic output.

Beautiful Beaches, Delicious Khao Lam, Sweet Sugar Cane, Delicate Basketry Products and Buffalo Racing

History

From historical evidence, Mueang Chon Buri has been settled since the Ayutthaya period. Originally, it comprised of many small towns such as Mueang Bang Sai, Mueang Bang Pla Soi, and Mueang Bang Phra. Later, King Rama V combined these towns together into Chon Buri 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 located at the Bay of Bangkok, the northern end of the Gulf of Thailand. A mountain range stretches from the north-west to the south-east 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.

Miscellaneous

Until the 1960s Pattaya was a small fishing village, but during the Vietnam war the American troops had a base nearby, and Pattaya became a popular R&R location. The city grew quickly and became the prime tourist location in Thailand.

The 20th World Scout Jamboree, put on by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, drew 30,000 teenaged Boy Scouts to a naval base near the village of Sattahip, where activities included world issue awareness, a showcase of Thai science & technology, obstacle course-style competitions between nations, and an epic game of "Ashes" Cricket (the Aussies won).

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the hill Khao Sam Muk, on which a holy joss-house is located. The local people believe that the spirit of that mountain protects the fishermen from harm.

Provincial tree as well as flower is the Burmese Rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus, local name Pradu).

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided in 11 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 92 subdistricts (tambon) and 691 villages (muban), and one special administrative area, Pattaya.

   1. Mueang Chonburi

   2. Ban Bueng

   3. Nong Yai

   4. Bang Lamung

   5. Phan Thong

   6. Phanat Nikhom

   7. Si Racha

   8. Ko Sichang

   9. Sattahip

  10. Bo Thong

  11. Ko Chan

Entertainment

Nightlife Major Hotel operates gourmet restaurant, cocktail lounges, discotheques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer excellent food, drinks, music and international entertainment. Such establishments are ideally suited to family entertainment. Nightlife beyond Pattaya’s hotels is more liberated and exciting. Discotheques, transvestite cabarets, nightclubs, coffee shop, karaoke bars, open-air bars and restaurants with live music and entertainment compete for attention.

Activities

Agro-tourism Attractions Silver Lake Vineyard is located at Mu 7, Tambon Na Jomtien, Sattahip District, covering an area of 400 rai with 12 kinds of grapes, 11 of which are for fresh consumption and the other one is for making wine.

Ecotourism Attractions Ko Kham Underwater Park is an ecotourism attraction within the compound of the Royal Thai Navy in Sattahip. There are many Chan Pha (Dracaena loureiri Gagnep.) trees. It looks like two islands connecting each other with extending land. Snorkelling can be done at the island.

Coral Reef Submarine Tours In Pattaya, there are both submarines and semi-submarines to admire the beauty of the coral reefs underwater in the areas of Ko Lan and Ko Sak.

Local Products

Famous handicrafts of Chon Buri include Ang Sila’s granite mortars and Phanat Nikhom’s basketry. Chon Buri is also abundant in fresh and dried seafood. A vast variety of seafood .

Chaeng Lon This is Chon Buri’s special delicacy which uses the same ingredients as Ho Mok  with coconut shreds to replace coconut milk. The mixture is hand-molded into small buns on a stick, and charcoal-grilled until cooked. Hoi Cho This Chinese delicacy is Chon Buri’s famous dish because a special kind of sea crabs is used as the main ingredient.

Khao Lam This specialty is made with sticky rice, sugar and coconut cream cooked in specially-prepared bamboo rods.

Stone Products such as a mortar, whetstone, engraved stone into animal shapes such as lions, elephants, horses and others are widely offered at Ang Sila, on the way from Chon Buri to Bang Saen.

Products from Pineapple Paper are produced in Tambon Nong Kham, Si Racha District. Examples of the products include wine boxes and bags, boxes of tissue paper, perfume boxes, photo albums, folders, sets of envelopes and boxes of paper note.

Basketry Market Long known for its fine basketry products, Amphoe Phanat Nikhom originally made them for daily use. The products were gradually developed into more elaborate and marketable hand-crafted items Artificial Fruits Made of Clay Various kinds of artificial fruits made of clay in miniature size are made, dried by sunlight and painted in actual colours. Then, they are wind dried again.

Culture

Festivals

Chon Buri Annual Festival This fair is held about mid-April during the Songkran Festival. Phra Phutthasihing, Chon Buri’s principle Buddha image, is put in a procession around the city.

Wan Lai Festival is a Chon Buri merit making day of the seamen on the Thai New Year during the Songkran Festival, organized during 13-20 April every year. There is alms-offering to the monks, ceremony of pouring water onto the Buddha’s image, sand pagoda making, splashing water and local games and sports in Chon Buri. The areas where the Wan Lai Festival is organized are as follows:

Pattaya–Na Kluea Wan Lai Festival and Na Kluea Kong Khao Fair 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  is an ancient festival of the Chon Buri locals. At present, Si Racha District still 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 comprise of the procession led by the elderly and various 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.

Chon Buri Buffalo Race This is a long-established celebration of this most useful animal of Thai farmers. A fun-filled event, it is held not only in Chon Buri itself but also in Ban Bueng and Nong Yai districts. The beasts of burden are dressed outrageously or with admirable creativity by owners depending on their imagination. Assembled in the courtyard in front of the town hall, the buffaloes partake in racing, or take part in physical fitness and “fashion” contests.

Refer :

Chonburi Province. (2008, May 10). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 09:10, May 17, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chonburi_Province&oldid=211429993