Ratchaburi, Thailand

🇹🇭 Ratchaburi or Rajburi, Rat Buri is a town in western Thailand, capital of Ratchaburi Province. Ratchaburi town covers the entire tambon Na Mueang of Mueang Ratchaburi District.

History The earliest evidence of settled habitation is that of the Dvaravati culture. At one time it was thought that the early town was founded on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, and that over time the coast had moved 30 km (18 miles) away to the south, due to sedimentation coming down the Mae Klong River. However, geological and palynological investigation has shown that these early Dvaravati and proto-Dvaravati towns were all inland, at the edges of swamps when founded. Ratchaburi remains an important commercial centre, however. Archeological discoveries show that the area was already settled in the Bronze Age, and the town itself is known to have existed for at least two thousand years.

In the 13th-century, King Ram Khamhaeng seized Ratchaburi and incorporated it into the Sukhothai Kingdom. Later it was an important trade centre in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. In 1768 the Burmese (who had recently destroyed Ayutthaya) were thrown out of Ratchaburi by King Taksin, and the town became part of Siam.

In 2000, a splinter group of Karen activists from Burma, known as God's Army, briefly took the Ratchaburi hospital staff and patients hostage, before the siege was relieved by the Thai army.

Geography Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Photharam and Damnoen Saduak of Ratchaburi Province, Bang Khonthi of Samut Songkhram province, Wat Phleng, Pak Tho, and Chom Bueng of Ratchaburi.

The main river of the district is the Mae Klong.

Economy Hin Kong Subdistrict will be the site of a 1,400 MW gas-fired power plant operated by SET-listed Ratch Group PLC. Construction will commence in 2021. The first block of 700 MW will come online in 2024 and the second 700 MW block in 2025. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the plant, which will cost US$700 million (21.7 billion baht), in 2019. Ratch signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), which owns a 45% stake in Ratch.

Administration

The district is divided into 22 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 187 villages (muban). The town (thesaban mueang) Ratchaburi covers the complete tambon Na Mueang. The township (thesaban tambon) Khao Ngu covers parts of tambons Chedi Hak and Ko Phlapphla. Lak Mueang covers Khok Mo, Phong Sawai, Huai Chinsi and all of Ang Thong. There are a further 18 tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

1. Na Mueang หน้าเมือง;
2. Chedi Hak เจดีย์หัก;
3. Don Tako ดอนตะโก;
4. Nong Klang Na หนองกลางนา;
5. Huai Phai ห้วยไผ่;
6. Khung Nam Won คุ้งน้ำวน;
7. Khung Krathin คุ้งกระถิน;
8. Ang Thong อ่างทอง;
9. Khok Mo โคกหม้อ;
10. Sam Ruean สามเรือน;
11. Phikun Thong พิกุลทอง;
12. Nam Phu น้ำพุ;
13. Don Rae ดอนแร่;
14. Hin Kong หินกอง;
15. Khao Raeng เขาแร้ง;
16. Ko Phlapphla เกาะพลับพลา;
17. Lum Din หลุมดิน;
18. Bang Pa บางป่า;
19. Phong Sawai พงสวาย;
20. Khu Bua คูบัว;
21. Tha Rap ท่าราบ;
22. Ban Rai บ้านไร่ .

Environment Since at least 2001, villagers of tambon Nam Pu have complained about toxic wastewater from an industrial waste treatment plant they suspected of contaminating their water. Wax Garbage Recycle Centre, an industrial waste treatment plant, began its operation in the upstream area of Nam Pu Creek about the same time as contamination became evident. The pollution spread to tambon Rang Bua of Chom Bueng district. Responding to complaints, the Thai Pollution Control Department tested creek water and groundwater. It found that levels of heavy metals (lead, nickel, and barium) exceeded their standards. They also found high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, 1,1,2-trichloromethane and Cis-1,2-dichloroethylene. The Department of Industrial Works and Ratchaburi's Industry Office, since 2002, have sent 19 letters ordering the plant to improve its operation, and at least six orders for the plant to shut down parts of its facility. Despite efforts by the authorities, the plant is still in operation and toxic wastewater contamination continues unabated.