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| Chachoengsao | Chachoengsao or Paet Rio is located on the east of Bangkok. Its fertility is due to Bang Pakong River. It is an important venue for agricultural products in the Central Region, with mango as the most popular fruit of the province. Moreover, it is the location of the sacred Phra Phutthasothon Buddha image. Derived from Khmer, the name Chachoengsao means deep canal, while the name of Paet Rio (Paet means eight and Rio means stripes) has been believed to have come from the way dried fish (which are abundant in the area) were being pierced into eight stripes. The history of Chachoengsao dated back since the Ayutthaya Period during the reign of King Phra Borom Tri Lokkanat. Most people live along the banks of Bang Pakong River and canals. Phra Phutthasothon or Luang Pho Sothon is the center of beliefs and faith. In the past, Chachoengsao was a small town, and was upgraded to a province in 1916. Chachoengsao is 80 kilometers from Bangkok, with the area of 5,351 square kilometers. The local administration is divided into 10 Amphoe (district) and 1 King Amphoe (sub-district), namely: Amphoe Muang, Bang Khla, Bang Nam Prieo, Bang Pakong, Ban Pho, Phanom Sarakham, Sanam Chai Khet, Plaeng Yao, Ratchasan, Tha Takiap, and King Amphoe Khlong Khuean. |
| Sakhaeo | Located in the eastern border of Thailand, facing Cambodia at Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo is a popular province known as a trading centre. In the past, Sa Kaeo was a major civilized community. Its long history had dated back since the Suwannaphum and Dvaravati Periods. The archeological sites of Khmer arts and stone inscriptions are the outstanding examples of this civilization. Administratively, Sa Kaeo has been a district of Prachin Buri Province for a long period, and has officially been upgraded as a province since December 1, 1993. Sa Kaeo is 245 kilometres, east of Bangkok, with the area about 7,195 square kilometres. Sa Kaeo is divided into 7 Amphoes (districts) and 2 King Amphoe (sub-districts): Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Watthana Nakhon, Amphoe Aranyaprathet, Amphoe Ta Phraya, Amphoe Khao Chakan, Amphoe Wang Nam Yen, Amphoe Khlong Hat, King Amphoe Khok Sung, and King Amphoe Wang Somboon. |
| Chanthaburi | Famous for its abundance of tropical fruits and as a centre of gems, the eastern province of Chanthaburi is also blessed with rich, verdant forests with scenic waterfalls. The Chanthaburi River flows through the town which has been the home of ancient communities. Quiet fishing villages and peaceful beaches are not far from town. Chanthaburi was occupied by the French during the early part of the 20th century. Their influence can be seen in the architecture of many buildings including the largest Catholic cathedral in Thailand, catering to a sizeable Christian population. About 245 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an area of 6,338 square kilometers, Chanthaburi as administratively divided into the following districts:- Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Khlung, Laem Sing, Pong Nam Ron, Makham, Soi Dao, Na Yai Am, Kang Hang Maeo and Khao Khitchakut sub-district. |
| Trat | Trat is Thailand's eastern-most province, located about 315 kilometers from Bangkok. This small province borders on Cambodia with the Khao Banthat mountain range forming a natural demarcation. With 52 large and small offshore islands, long white sandy beaches and unspoiled coral reefs, Trat offers delightful scenery and a tranquil hideout for nature-lovers. The province also serves as a major fruit-growing and fishing area. The city of Trat is a starting point for Ko Chang island group or forays into outlying gem and Cambodian markets. Those enthralled by shopping will be delighted as Trat has more markets for its size than almost any other town in Thailand due to Cambodian coastal trade. Like Chanthaburi, Trat is a very important ruby-mining province, with the most famous gem market located in Bo Rai District, some 50 kilometers north of the Cambodian border. With an area of 2,819 square kilometers, the province is administratively divided into the districts of Muang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngop, Khlong Yai and Bo Rai, and the sub-districts of Ko Chang and Ko Kut. The weather in and around Trat is very comfortable with warm temperatures throughout the year. The region is influenced by the northeastern and southwestern winds, which sometimes limit sea transport to a group of islands particularly from May to October when the southwest monsoon blows. During this period the western coast can be wet and stormy and occasionally unsafe for ferries and smaller boats to lift anchor. However, visitors can still visit the islands via the normally more popular routes, most of which are to the northeast of Ko Chang, anyway. |