South Thailand / Prachuap Khiri Khan

Photo: Kilometers of empty beaches near Prachuap Khiri Khan... too many for all to be developed as tourist destinations. p>

Prachuap Khiri Khan, on the bank of the Nang Rom Canal (called Klong I-Rom by the locals), is the capital of the seaside province by the same name, some 278km (174mi) south of Bangkok. Earlier names of the town were Bang Nagrom and Muang Na Rang. The town history dates back to the Ayutthaya period, but the original settlement site was abandoned after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. In 1845, during the reign of King Rama IV (King Mongkut, reigned 1851-1868) the new town was established at the mouth of Klong I-Rom and the name was changed to Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, with an area of about 6,767.6sqkm (2,2612sqmi), is divided into 7 districts: the town of Prachuap Khiri Khan (Muang), Kuiburi, Bang Saphan, Thap Sakae, Hua Hin, Pranburi and Bang Saphan Noi. Near Prachuap Khiri Khan, the Thai territory on the Malay Peninsula is less than 20km (12.5mi) wide.