Si Racha District
| Si Racha ศรีราชา |
|
|---|---|
| Amphoe | |
| Amphoe location in Chonburi Province Amphoe location in Chonburi Province |
|
| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Province | Chonburi |
| Seat | Si Racha |
| Tambon | 8 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 616.4 km2 (238.0 sq mi) |
| Population (2014) | |
| • Total | 267,896 |
| • Density | 272/km2 (700/sq mi) |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) |
| Postal code | 20110 |
| Geocode | 2007 |
Si Racha[1] (Thai: ศรีราชา; pronounced [sǐː rāː.t͡ɕʰāː]) is a district in Chonburi Province, Thailand. Its center is the town of Si Racha, on the Gulf of Thailand, about halfway between Chonburi and Pattaya.
Si Racha is in a heavily industrial zone consisting of manufacturing and shipping industries, supported by the sprawling port of Laem Chabang (20th largest in the world, see List of world's busiest container ports). With Chonburi to the north and Pattaya, Bang Lamung township, Laem Chabang to the south, it forms the bulk of the economic zone of the eastern seaboard of Thailand, a fast-growing zone that is second to only greater Bangkok in population and wealth. Due to its strong infrastructure, Laem Chabang and the eastern seaboard in general, is the major hub for international exports, which have become the underpinning of the Thai baht.
Contents
Name
The name Si Racha is from Sanskrit Sri Raja via Pali.
Location
To the north is Amphoe Mueang Chonburi, and south is Amphoe Bang Lamung.
Administration
The districts is divided into eight sub-districts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 58 villages (muban). Si Racha itself has town (thesaban mueang) status and covers the complete tambon Si Ratcha. The city (thesaban nakhon) Laem Chabang covers the whole tambon Bueng, Surasak, Thung Sukhla and parts of Nong Kham, as well as parts of Bang Lamung of neighboring Bang Lamung District.
| No. | Name | Thai name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Si Racha | ศรีราชา | 5. | Nong Kham | หนองขาม | |||
| 2. | Surasak | สุรศักดิ์ | 6. | Khao Khansong | เขาคันทรง | |||
| 3. | Thung Sukhla | ทุ่งสุขลา | 7. | Bang Phra | บางพระ | |||
| 4. | Bueng | บึง | 8. | Bo Win | บ่อวิน |
Infrastructure
A modern eight lane motorway Chon Buri-Bangkok motorway has been built connecting the eastern seaboard with Bangkok, as well as to U-Tapao International Airport. It is the only airport in southeast Thailand to have direct flights, bypassing Bangkok. Older Sukhumvit road goes through downtown Si Ratcha to Chonburi and Pattaya, but is often congested.
Tourist attractions
The town is known for its seafood, mostly served with a very spicy chili sauce called nam prik Si racha made from chili and vinegar. It has thus lent its name to Siracha chili sauces. The town is also the main transit point to Ko Sichang.
North of town is the temple of Wat Ko Loi, on an island connected with the mainland by a 1.5 km causeway. The temple mixes Thai Buddhists and Chinese icons of worship, including a Buddha footprint.
The main tourist attractions of Si Racha are the zoos, Khao Khew Open Zoo and Si Racha Tiger Zoo.
Khao Khew Open Zoo
Khao Khew Open Zoo is a blend of forests, wild animals, aviary, and responsible animal management. Sponsored by HM Queen Sirikit, the zoo has grown in size, scope and importance. More than 300 species and 8,000 animals populate the 5,000 rai sanctuary. Six of the newer residents of the zoo are rare white tigers from the Memphis Zoo in the USA. Khao Kheow is described as a "wildlife bank" as many animals are on the endangered species list. The zoo is known for success in breeding some of these endangered animals. One such project is breeding the rare clouded leopard. Other endangered mammals at the zoo include the Asian wild dog, Malayan tapir, and tiger. Rare Asian bird species draw bird watchers from around the world.[citation needed] A walk-though aviary has been built on a mountain slope and presents an appealing environment. The aviary is Asia's second largest. Endangered bird species at the zoo include the black necked stork and white crested laughing thrush.
Si Racha Tiger Zoo
Si Racha Tiger Zoo had up to 400 Bengal tigers as well as other animals on show. However, in October 2004, tigers in the zoo contracted bird flu of the dangerous H5N1 virus, probably from being fed infected chicken. Thirty tigers died of the virus. Another 80 were culled as they were suspected to have contracted the virus as well. The zoo was temporarily closed, but reopened early in 2005.
Bang Phra reservoir
Bang Phra Reservoir is a reservoir known for its numerous species of birds.
