Wichian Buri district


Wichian Buri is a district in southern part of Phetchabun province, northern Thailand.

History and toponymy

In the past the area of Wichian Buri was administered by Mueang Tha Rong. King Rama III upgraded the status of Tha Rong city by amalgamating Bua Chum and Chai Badan and changed the city name to be Wichian Buri. When King Rama V created Monthon Phetchabun, Wichian Buri became a subordinate of Phetchabun in 1898. The name of the district was changed to Tha Rong on 17 April 1939, but changed back to Wichian Buri in 1944.
The name Wichian Buri literally translates to "crystal city" or "crystal town", the first element Wichian in Thai means "crystal" or "diamond", the second element Buri from Sanskrit purī ; meaning "town" or "city". Its name is based on the name of a local mountain, Khao Thamorat. Thamo is Khmer; meaning "mountain" or "stone", and rat is an abbreviation of rattana ; meaning "crystal", hence named it accordingly.
Khao Thamorat is actually located in the neighboring, Si Thep. It is part of Si Thep Historical Park.

Geography

Neighboring districts are Bueng Sam Phan of Phetchabun Province, Phakdi Chumphon and Thep Sathit of Chaiyaphum province, Si Thep of Phetchabun, and Phaisali of Nakhon Sawan province.

Administration

Central administration

Wichian Buri is divided into 14 sub-districts, which are further subdivided into 192 administrative villages.
No.NameThaiVillagesPop.
1.Tha Rongท่าโรง1826,106
2.Sa Praduสระประดู่126,614
3.Sam Yaekสามแยก105,399
4.Khok Prongโคกปรง179,956
5.Nam Ronน้ำร้อน128,559
6.Bo Rangบ่อรัง2215,282
7.Phu Toeiพุเตย1412,189
8.Phu Khamพุขาม108,386
9.Phu Nam Yotภูน้ำหยด167,355
10.Sap Sombunซับสมบูรณ์105,021
11.Bueng Krachapบึงกระจับ106,411
12.Wang Yaiวังใหญ่105,586
13.Yang Saoยางสาว179,338
14.Sap Noiซับน้อย146,288

Local administration

There is one town in the district:
  • Wichian Buri consisting of parts of sub-districts Tha Rong and Sa Pradu.
There is one sub-district municipality in the district:
  • Phu Toei consisting of parts of sub-district Phu Toei.
There are 14 sub-district administrative organizations (SAO) in the district:
  • Tha Rong consisting of parts of sub-district Tha Rong.
  • Sa Pradu consisting of parts of sub-district Sa Pradu.
  • Sam Yaek consisting of sub-district Sam Yaek.
  • Khok Prong consisting of sub-district Khok Prong.
  • Nam Ron consisting of sub-district Nam Ron.
  • Bo Rang consisting of sub-district Bo Rang.
  • Phu Toei consisting of parts of sub-district Phu Toei.
  • Phu Kham consisting of sub-district Phu Kham.
  • Phu Nam Yot consisting of sub-district Phu Nam Yot.
  • Sap Sombun consisting of sub-district Sap Sombun.
  • Bueng Krachap consisting of sub-district Bueng Krachap.
  • Wang Yai consisting of sub-district Wang Yai.
  • Yang Sao consisting of sub-district Yang Sao.
  • Sap Noi consisting of sub-district Sap Noi.

Wichian Buri grilled chicken

Wichian Buri grilled chicken is a chicken dish from the Wichian Buri District. It is unique because it is made with Phetchabun regional ingredients, like a tamarind sauce and pickled garlic. The salty roasted chicken is sold at restaurants and street food stalls and often served with papaya salad and rice.
There are two types of chicken used for grilling; backyard chickens and broilers. The chicken is marinated overnight in the refrigerator or over ice in a plastic bag with garlic, fish sauce, salt, pepper, coriander sauces. Then, it is cooked. The grilled chicken sauce is sweet, sour, and salty. The main and secret ingredients for this sauce are sugar, tamarind, garlic, chili powder, and salt.
Thai Airways International named one of its airplanes Wichian Buri for the district's grilled chicken prowess.