Ratchaburi Flora

 Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi province (Thai: จังหวัดราชบุรี, pronounced [t͡ɕāŋ.wàt râːt.t͡ɕʰā.bū.rīː]) or Rat Buri (pronounced [râːt bū.rīː]) is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces(changwat) lies in Western Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi. In the west it borders the Tanintharyi Region of Myanmar. Ratchaburi is 80 kilometres (50 mi)west of Bangkok and borders Myanmar to the west with the Tenasserim Hills as a natural border. The Mae Klong flows through the centre of Ratchaburi town.

 Ratchaburi province is a medium-sized province with an area of about 5,196 square kilometres (2,006 sq mi). The eastern part of the province contains the flat river plains of the Mae Klong, crisscrossed by many khlongs. The most famous tourist spot in this area is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. The west of the province is more mountainous, and includes the Tenasserim Hills. As the mountains are made mostly of limestone, there are several caves containing stalactites. Some caves are inhabited by large colonies of bats, and it is an impressive sight when they swarm out in the evening to feed. Other caves like the Khao Bin are accessible for visitors.

 The area of Ratchaburi province is divided into three parts. First, the border in the west which is shared with Myanmar and is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) long. The second contains the Tenasserim mountains and forests with an elevation of about 200–300 meters. The central area of the province is rich in wetlands due to river flow. Ratchaburi has important natural resources in its forest of which it covers an area of 1,711 km² (661 sq mi) or 33 percent of provincial area. Moreover, it has minerals such as tin, tantalum, feldspar, quartz, limestone, and marlstone.

Khao Ngu Stone Park in Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi isn’t the most exciting province in Thailand, but it has its share of nice places. One of the better ones is located just ten minutes outside of the main city. The Khao Ngu range is a series of small limestone mountains that jut up from the otherwise flat plains. The Khao Ngu Stone Park (อุทยานหินเขางู) is located in an area of the range that was previously a limestone quarry and has since been flooded with water. While not mind-blowingly beautiful, it’s a nice place to come to spend an hour or two. As it’s mostly popular with Thai locals and tourists, it has a nice vibe that is enjoyable if you get into the spirit of it.

The main river of the western part is the Phachi River. On the left bank of the Phachi is the Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park along with eight other national parks, make up region 3 (Ban Pong) of Thailand's protected areas.
There is one wildlife sanctuary, Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary, along with two other wildlife sanctuaries, make up region 3 (Ban Pong) of Thailand's protected areas.

• Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park,329 km²(127 sq mi)
  56,310 visitors in fiscal year 2024.
• Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary, 489 km² (189 sq mi).

ถ้ำจอมพล

Gesneriaceae

Ratchaburi Province in southwestern Thailand hosts notable Gesneriaceae (African violet family) species adapted to karst limestone outcrops and dry evergreen shade, including Microchirita species and historical type collections from locations like Tham Chompol and local hills. 

Notable Gesneriaceae in Ratchaburi

Microchirita species: Collected in limestone cave areas and local arboretums such as Tham Chompol.
Tribounia species: Karst limestone-loving lithophytic herbs historically documented in Ratchaburi's rocky habitats.
Ornithoboea barbanthera: แก่นขมิ้นพญานคร Found in regional limestone ecosystems within the broader southwestern/central Thai limestone ranges. 
Paraboea harroviana var. harroviana ชาฤๅษีเล็ก เนียมฤๅษี ฝอยหิน หนาดหิน เขางู

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Administrative divisions

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Map of ten districts

Provincial government

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The province is divided into 10 districts (amphoes).^[16] The districts are further subdivided into 104 sub-districts (tambons) and 935 villages (mubans).

Mueang Ratchaburi Chom Bueng Suan Phueng Damnoen Saduak Ban Pong

Bang Phae Photharam Pak Tho Wat Phleng Ban Kha