Cha-Am District

Cha Am ชะอำ
—  Amphoe  —
Cha Am beach
Amphoe location in Phetchaburi Province
Coordinates: 12°47′59″N 99°58′1″E / 12.79972°N 99.96694°E / 12.79972; 99.96694Coordinates: 12°47′59″N 99°58′1″E / 12.79972°N 99.96694°E / 12.79972; 99.96694
Country	Thailand
Province	Phetchaburi
Seat
Tambon
Muban
Amphoe established
Time zone	THA (UTC+7)
Postal code
Geocode	7604

Cha Am (Thai: ชะอำ, RTGS: Cha-am, IPA: [tɕʰāʔām]) is a district (Amphoe) in the southern part of Phetchaburi province, central Thailand.

The district was established in 1897 in the name of Na Yang. In 1914 the center of the district was moved to Ban Nong Chok (now in Tha Yang district) and changed the name to Nong Chok district. After World War II, the government moved the office to Tambon Cha Am and also changed the district name to be Cha Am.

It is a famous beach resort town in Thailand.

Cha Am houses the only American university in Thailand. Webster University has nearly 200 students from numerous international countries. Cha Am is also famous for its beach front which is home to many high rise beach resorts.

Location

Districts to the north are Amphoe Tha Yang, south Amphoe Hua Hin of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, also a beach resort.

Administration

Cha-Am District is divided into 9 sub-Districts (tambon).

• Cha-am
• Bangkao
• Nong Sala
• Na yang
• Don Khun Huai
• Kao Yai
• Huai Sai Nua
• Sam Phraya
• Rai Mai Patthana

Attractions

Phra Pit-thawan

• Mrigadayavan Palace
• Wat Neran Chararam (Thai: วัดเนรัญชราราม) − Buddhist Temple (Wat) with the big Statue of the sixarmed Phra Pit-thawan (Thai: พระปิดทวาร)
• Rat Charoen Tham Temple
• Nong Chaeng Temple
• Nong Ta Phot Temple
• Cha-am Khiri Temple
• Sai Noi Temple
• Huai Sai Tai Temple
• Maruk Khatayawan Temple
• Khao Nang Phanthurat

Education

Hua Hin and Cha-Am play host to a number of tertiary education institutions and universities such as Silapakorn (Arts) University, Suan Dusit Rajaphat (Hospitality) University, and the Petchaburi Technology and Agricultural University. Webster University Thailand, the only international American accredited University in Thailand also has its main campus fringing these towns.