Cha-am district explained

Official Name:Cha-am
Native Name:ชะอำ
Native Name Lang:th
Settlement Type:District
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Thailand
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Phetchaburi
Subdivision Type2:Seat
Subdivision Name2:Cha-am
Subdivision Type3:Subdistricts
Subdivision Name3:9
Subdivision Type4:Mubans
Established Title:District established
Population Total:81,541
Population As Of:2021
Population Density Km2:123.43
Area Total Km2:660.65
Blank Name Sec1:Postal code
Blank Info Sec1:76120
Blank Name Sec2:Geocode
Blank Info Sec2:7604
Timezone:ICT
Utc Offset:+7
Coordinates:12.7997°N 99.9669°W

Cha-am[1] (Thai: ชะอำ, in Thai pronounced as /tɕʰáʔām/ or in Thai pronounced as /tɕʰāʔām/) is a district (amphoe) in the southern part of Phetchaburi province, western Thailand.[2]

The district was established in 1897 with the name Na Yang. In 1914 the centre of the district was moved to Ban Nong Chok (now in Tha Yang district and its name was changed to Nong Chok. After World War II, the government moved the office to tambon Cha-am and also changed the district name to Cha-am.

Mrigadayavan Palace (Thai: พระราชนิเวศน์มฤคทายวัน, RTGS: Phra Ratchaniwet Maruekkhathayawan) in Cha-am district is a former residence of King Vajiravudh or Rama VI who ruled Siam from 1910 to 1925.

Toponymy

Its name "Cha-am" is said to have originated from the word "Cha-an" (ชะอาน, in Thai pronounced as /tɕʰáʔān/ or in Thai pronounced as /tɕāʔāːn/) meaning "to wash the saddle". In the Ayutthaya period, Viceroy Ekathotsarot (later King Ekathotsarot) raised an army to fight against the Burmese in this area, and washed his saddle here. Hence the name "Cha-an" and was distorted into "Cha-am" like today[3]

Location

Cha-am lies 173km (107miles) south of Bangkok on Phet Kasem Road. Just a few trains stop at the town's railway station. Frequent bus and minibus services link Cha-am with neighbouring towns, such as Hua Hin, and with Bangkok. The district to the north is Tha Yang district. 27km (17miles) to the south is Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, also a beach resort.

Administration

Cha-am district is divided into nine sub-districts (tambons).

1.Cha-amชะอำ
2.Bang Kaoบางเก่า
3.Na Yangนายาง
4.Khao Yaiเขาใหญ่
5.Nong Salaหนองศาลา
6.Huai Sai Nueaห้วยทรายเหนือ
7.Rai Mai Phatthanaไร่ใหม่พัฒนา
8.Sam Phrayaสามพระยา
9.Don Khun Huaiดอนขุนห้วย

Economy

Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of Cha-am and Phetchaburi Province. The province, however, has dropped from the fourth to the sixth most popular destination in Thailand due to coastal erosion, much of it in Cha-am, caused by rising sea levels leading to "deteriorating scenery".[4]

Education

Several tertiary educational institutions and universities are in Cha-am and surrounding districts including Silpakorn University (Phetchaburi IT Campus), Suan Dusit Rajaphat University, Stamford International University, and Webster University Thailand.

Notes and References

  1. Royal Gazette. 117. พิเศษ 94 ง. 2. th:ประกาศราชบัณฑิตยสถาน เรื่อง การเขียนชื่อจังหวัด เขต อำเภอ และกิ่งอำเภอ. http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2543/E/094/2.PDF . https://web.archive.org/web/20120125105537/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2543/E/094/2.PDF. dead. January 25, 2012. 14 Sep 2000. Thai.
  2. Web site: About Cha-am. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). 26 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20190422140913/https://www.tourismthailand.org/About-Thailand/Destination/Cha-am. 22 April 2019. dead.
  3. Web site: ชะอำ. Cha-am. 2023-04-22. 2023-04-23. thai. Thai PBS. Nice To Meet You.
  4. News: Arunmas . Phusadee . Apisitniran . Lamonphet . Kasemsuk . Narumon . Falling water levels deliver a taste of things to come . 5 February 2020 . Bangkok Post . 13 January 2020.