Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand

🇹🇭 Kamphaeng Phet is a town in central Thailand, former capital of the Kamphaeng Phet Province. It covers the complete tambon Nai Mueang of the Mueang Kamphaeng Phet district.

History Kamphaeng Phet was an ancient outpost town during the Sukhothai period, as evidenced by the city walls and fortifications that remain today. Before the creation of the city, legends says that there were two cities present in the location; Chakangrao (ชากังราว) and Nakhon Chum (นครชุม). Chakangrao was built on the east bank of the Ping River while Nakhon Chum was built on the west bank of the Ping River.

Kamphaeng Phet received municipality status on March 11, 1936. When the municipality was established, it had an operation area of 4.5 square kilometers. Later in 1966, it expanded to an area of 14.9 square kilometers.

Demographics Since 2005, the population of Kamphaeng Phet has been decreasing.

Geography The main river is the Ping, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. River flats make up much of the east of the province, while the west is mountainous and covered with forests. The total forest area is 1,997 km² (771 sq mi) or 23.5 percent of provincial area.

One of the provinces best-known products is bananas, especially the kluai khai, a small, round, sweet banana. Banana festivals are held every year to thank the spirits for the harvest.

National parks There area three national parks make up region 12 (Nakhon Sawan) of Thailand's protected areas. • Mae Wong National Park, 894 km² (345 sq mi): 4  • Khlong Wang Chao National Park, 747 km² (288 sq mi): 3  • Khlong Lan National Park, 300 km² (120 sq mi): 4 

Wildlife sanctuary • Khao Sanam Phriang Wildlife Sanctuary, 101 km² (39 sq mi)

History Kamphaeng Phet was already a royal city in the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 14th century, then known under its old name Chakangrao. It formed an important part of the defence system of the kingdom, as well as of the later Ayutthaya Kingdom.