Country Thailand | Area 6,368 km² | |
Map of Prachuap Khiri Khan
Prachuap Khiri Khan (Thai: ประจวบคีรีขันธ์, [prā.t͡ɕùa̯p.kʰīː.rīː.kʰǎn]) is a town in southern Thailand. It is the capital of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and is on the coast at one of the narrowest stretches in Thailand, only 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the Burmese border at Dan Sing Khon in the Tenasserim Hills. The area has large pineapple and coconut industries, in addition to being popular with Thai tourists. The town is 291 km south of Bangkok by road.
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History
Prachuap Khiri Khan is home to a Royal Thai Air Force base, and was an invasion point for Japanese troops on 8 December 1941, during World War II. A commemoration is held each December to honour the 38 Thai airmen and civilians who died in the fighting against the Japanese 143rd Infantry Regiment in the Battle of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Climate
Prachuap Khiri Khan has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Seasons are not as distinct as in more northerly parts of Thailand; temperatures are quite similar throughout the year and the dry and wet seasons are not as clearly defined, with appreciable rain falling in all months. However, in general the months from December to April are drier with about 45 millimetres (1.8 in) in each month, while October and November are the wettest months with over 200 millimetres (7.9 in) each. The other months, from May to September, have an intermediate level of rainfall around 100 millimetres (3.9 in).
Transportation
Prachuap Khiri Khan can reached from Bangkok by train on the Southern Line from Hualamphong Railway Station.
The main road, which runs past the city from north to south, is Route 4 (Phetkasem Road). To the north, this road connects to Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi and Bangkok; to the south, it connects to Chumphon, Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, Phatthalung and the border with Malaysia near Sadao.
Prachuap Khiri Khan is served by Prachuap Airport, at the south end of town.
Industry
Australian company ASC and Thai company Silkline International formed a joint venture to build three Keka-class patrol boats for the Royal Thai Navy at Silkline's yard at Pak Nam Pran in Prachuap Khiri Khan.