RATCHABURI

also spelled Ratburi, or Rat Buri, town, western Thailand, west of Bangkok. Prehistoric relics, cave drawings, and old Buddhist temples indicate that the site of Ratchaburi town, on the Mae Klong River, has been inhabited from early times. The town is now a river port, a station of the Bangkok-Singapore railway, and a commercial and service centre for the surrounding region. The region is noted for the production of handmade glazed pottery. Fluorite and tin are mined, rice and vegetables are grown, and freshwater fish are caught, dried, and smoked. Pop. (1988 est.) town, 46,414.