Rayong province (Thai: ระยอง, pronounced [rá.jɔ̄ːŋ]) is one of seventy-six provinces (changwat) lies in eastern Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Chonburi, and Chanthaburi. To the south is the Gulf of Thailand.[4]

Rayong ระยอง
Province
The statues of Phra Aphamani and the mermaid, characters from a famous Thai epic poem, on Ko Samet
Flag Seal
Map of Thailand highlighting Rayong province
Country	Thailand
Capital	Rayong
Government
• Governor	Channa Iamsaeng (since October 2020)
Area [1]
• Total	3,552 km2 (1,371 sq mi)
• Rank	Ranked 57th
Population  (2018)[2]
• Total	723,316
• Rank	Ranked 35th
• Density	203.6/km2 (527/sq mi)
• Rank	Ranked 14th
Human Achievement Index [3]
• HAI (2017)	0.6578 "high" Ranked 8th
Time zone	UTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code	21xxx
Calling code	038
ISO 3166 code	TH-21

As of 2016^[update], per capita earnings were higher in Rayong province than in any other Thai province.[5]

History

Rayong began to appear in 1570 in the reign of Maha Thammaracha, The Khmer Ruler has invaded Siam in the eastern coastal city but unable to seize the city.

During Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767) in 1766, King Taksin and about 500 troops have broken through the Burmese army and went to stop at Rayong, before went to Chanthaburi to restore independence from Burmese.

In 1906, Rayong was merged to Monthon Chanthaburi. In 1908, Klaeng District was merged to Rayong.

In the reign of King Rama VI, changed the name of "Rayong City" to "Rayong province" in 1916 but it still part of Monthon Chanthaburi. Later in 1931, Monthon Chanthaburi was dissolved and Rayong was merged to Monthon Prachinburi.

In 1933, when the governance system is abolished, Rayong then becomes Rayong province until the present.

Geography

Although the north is hilly, the province consists mostly of low coastal plains. The total forest area is 292 km² (113 sq mi) or 8 percent of provincial area.[6] Off the shoreline of Mueang Rayong District is Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, consisting of several islands.

Symbols

The seal of the province shows the island Ko Samet. The provincial tree is the Alexandrian laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum).

Economy

Rayong is one of the three Thai provinces, together with Chonburi and Chachoengsao, at the center of the nation's Eastern Economic Corridor. The three provinces are to become Thailand's hub for manufacturing, research, and services tightly coupled with its ASEAN neighbors and the world logistically.[7] The project is the centerpiece of the government's "Thailand 4.0" economic initiative.[8][9]

Administrative divisions

Provincial government

The province is divided into eight districts (amphoes). These are further divided into 58 subdistricts (tambons) and 388 villages (mubans).

Local government

As of 21 November 2019 there are:[10] one Rayong Provincial Administrative Organization - PAO (ongkan borihan suan changwat) and 30 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. The capital Rayong has city (thesaban nakhon) status. Ban Chang and Map Ta Phut have town (thesaban mueang) status and 27 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).[2] The non-municipal areas are administered by 37 Subdistrict Administrative Organizations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon).

Health

Rayong's main hospital is Rayong Hospital, operated by the Ministry of Public Health.

Human achievement index 2017

Health	Education	Employment	Income
16	7	4	9
Housing	Family	Transport	Participation
67	44	6	68
Province Rayong, with an HAI 2017 value of 0.6578 is "high", occupies place 8 in the ranking.

Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017.[3]

Map with provinces and HAI 2017 rankings

Notable People from Rayong province

• Stamp Fairtex, Thai Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist (ONE Championship)

Gallery

• 
  The cape of Khao Laem Ya in the morning, Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
• 
  Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
• 
  Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
• 
  Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
• 
  Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
• 
  Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
• 
  Khao Chamao (Khlong Nam Sai) Waterfall, Khao Chamao–Khao Wong National Park

References

External links

• Rayong travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Provincial Website (Thai)
• Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rayong Province.

На других языках

[de] Rayong (Provinz)