Amphoe Si Racha

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Si Racha
thai=ศรีราชา
province=Chonburi
coordinates=coord|13|10|28|N|100|55|50|E|region:TH_type:adm2nd
area=616.4
population=167,896
population_as_of=2000
density=272
postal_code=20110
geocode=2007

Amphoe Si Racha (also Sri Ratcha, Si Raja) is a district in the province Chonburi, Thailand. Its center is the town of Si Racha, located at the Gulf of Thailand, about halfway between Chonburi and Pattaya. It is increasingly marketed as a luxury retirement and expat zone for wealthy foreigners such as Japanese and British, who want to live near the beach, world class golf courses and Bangkok, but without the negative aspects of Pattaya.

It 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 Chon Buri city to the north and Pattaya, Bang Lamung township, Laem Chabang to the south, it forms 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 the 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.

Name

The name Si Racha is probably from Sanskrit "Sri Raja" via Pali.

Location

To the north is Amphoe Mueang Chon Buri, and south is Amphoe Bang Lamung.

Administration

The districts is subdivided into 8 subdistricts ("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 township ("thesaban tambon") 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.

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 Thailand to have direct flights to the South of the country, bypassing Bangkok. Older Sukhumvit road goes through downtown Sri Ratcha to Chon Buri and Pattaya, but is often congested.

Tourist attractions

The town is rather famous for its seafood, mostly served with a very spicy chili sauce called "nam prik si racha" made from chili and vinegar. It has thus lend its name to Sriracha chili sauces. The town is also the main transit point to Ko Sichang.

North of the town is the temple of Wat Ko Loi, located 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's footprint.

The main touristical attraction 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 magnificent blend of forests, wild animals, bird aviary and responsible animal management. Sponsored by HM Queen Sirikit, the zoo has grown in size, scope and importance.

Internationally recognized for its animal management and operations, the zoo has features that make it a great day trip for the entire family.

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 exchanged by 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 know 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. 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 as two examples.

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. 30 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. Entry costs 200 baht and includes scheduled tiger shows in the amphitheatre.

Bang Phra's reservoir

Bang Phra's reservoir is reservoir that be used for public benefits ,especially it 's used to be factor of production for waterworks of whole Chonburi Province ,in addition to ,It also is a famous tourist attraction,especially it 's the numerous species of birds 's habitat.