Chaiya District

Amphoe Chaiya ( in Thai: อำเภอ ไชยา ) is a district ( Amphoe ) in the province of Surat Thani, which belongs to the southern region of Thailand. Chaiya is one of the oldest and most historic places in the southern region of Thailand. Administrative center of the circle is Talat Chaiya.

Geography

Chaiya is located on the Gulf of Thailand, the Cape Sui ( แหลม ซุย - Laem Sui ) which represents the northern end of the Bay of Bandon dar. The eastern part of the district consists mainly of a flat, low-lying coastal strip, the west by the mountains Phuket mountain range dominates. In them lies the National Park Kaeng Krung.

Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) the Amphoe Tha Chang in the province of Surat Thani, Amphoe Kapoe in the province of Ranong, Amphoe Phato Chumphon Province and Amphoe Tha Chana again in Surat Thani. In the east, the Gulf of Thailand, the Cape Sui ( แหลม ซุย ) is is the northern end of the Bay of Bandon.

History

The city Chaiya was one of the major cities, possibly a capital of the Buddhist Srivijaya Seereichs that dominated the south of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra from the 7th to the 13th century. From that epoch here were numerous perfectly shaped Buddha statues that are now on display at the National Museum Chaiya. Other statues are located in the National Museum Bangkok.

Because of its geo-strategic location on the Gulf of Thailand, the harbor has always played an important role in East-West trade between India, the Malay Peninsula and China.

Religion

In Amphoe Chaiya, close to the main town Talat Chaiya is the major Buddhist temple Wat Chaiya Borommathat from the 8th century. The central chedi was built with bricks and mortar made of plant fibers. The system was restored quite expensive in the 1990s.

Another attraction is the Buddhist Meditation Center Wat Suan Mokkh, located about six kilometers southwest of the city. The center was founded in 1993 by the late Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, who was also from Amphoe Chaiya. The basic idea is the simple life without a lot of religious ceremonies and is here also associated with physical labor. The meditation cycles begin on the first of each month and last for 10 days. They are visited by Buddhists from all over the world.

Economy

On the coast of Chaiya, there are many shrimp farms ( shrimp farms ).

Management

Amphoe Chaiya is divided into nine municipalities ( tambon), which further into 54 villages ( Muban ) are divided.

There are two small towns ( Tambon thesaban ):

• Talat Chaiya consists of parts of the tambon Talat Chaiya and parts of Lamet,
• Phumriang covers parts of tambon same name.