Aranyaprathet (Thai: อรัญประเทศ) is a district (Amphoe) of the Sa Kaeo province in the east of Thailand. It is located directly at the boundary to Cambodia.
Originally Aranyaprathet was crossed by the railway connecting Bangkok with Phnom Penh, Cambodia. However since the ruling of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in the 1970s the railway is interrupted and now ends at the boundary.
Aranyaprathet is a popular target both for Thai visitors as well as for expatriates due to the border crossing. Gambling is illegal in Thailand but very popular, thus the 7 casinos right across the border in Cambodia as the closest casinos from Bangkok are well frequented. Western expatriates who could not receive a permanent staying visa for Thailand use the border crossing to extend their stay in Thailand. After crossing the boundary they are eligible for a new visa on entry.
Administration
The district Aranyaprathet is subdivided into 13 communes (tambon).
| Nr.
| Name
| Thai name
|
|
|
| 1. | Aranyaprathet | อรัญประเทศ |
|
| 8. | Ban Mai Nong Sai | บ้านใหม่หนองไทร |
|
| 2. | Mueang Phai | เมืองไผ่ |
|
| 9. | Phan Suek | ผ่านศึก |
|
| 3. | Han Sai | หันทราย |
|
| 10. | Nong Sang | หนองสังข์ |
|
| 4. | Khlong Nam Sai | คลองน้ำใส |
|
| 11. | Khlong Thap Chan | คลองทับจันทร์ |
|
| 5. | Tha Kham | ท่าข้าม |
|
| 12. | Fak Huai | ฟากห้วย |
|
| 6. | Pa Rai | ป่าไร่ |
|
| 13. | Ban Dan | บ้านด่าน |
|
| 7. | Thap Phrik | ทับพริก |
|