A monthon (English circle, Thai มณฑล) was a subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. They were created as a part of the thesaphiban (เทศาภิบาล - literally translates to control over territory) administrative system, introduced by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. Together with the monthon also the still existing provinces (changwat), districts (amphoe) and communes (tambon) were established step by step nationwide. Each monthon was led by a royal commissoner also called thesaphiban. The system was officially adopted by the 1897 Local Administration Act, after some monthon were established before and the details of administration were tried out. It however took till around 1910 that the system was implemented in the whole country. The main reason for the slow implementation was the lack of suitable educated officials, but also the resistance of the traditional local leaders. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... HRH Prince Damrong Rajanubhab (Thai including his full title: สมเด็จพระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ กรมพระยาดำรงราชานุภาพ) (June 21, 1862 – December 1, 1943) was the founder of the modern Thai education system as well as the modern provincial administration. ... Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (Thai: จังหวัด, changwat, singular and plural), which are grouped into 5 groups of provinces - sometimes the East and Central are grouped together. ... A amphoe (sometimes also amphur, Thai: อำเภอ) is the second level administrative subdivision of Thailand. ... Tambon (Thai: ตำบล) is a local government unit in Thailand. ... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Before the thesaphiban reforms, the country consisted of partially independed cities named Mueang, some directly subordinate of the capital, some subordinate of larger Mueang or of one of the tributary kingdoms. Before the reforms the governors lived from taxes they collected in their area and inherited the governor post within their family. These were converted into a normal official post, paid by the central government, and the Mueang developed into provinces. The term changwat for the provinces was first used in 1907 for the provinces in Monthon Pattani, and in 1916 it became in general use.

In 1915 there were 19 circles containing 72 provinces, however due to economic problems several monthon were merged in 1925, monthon Phetchabun was already dissolved in 1915. Only 14 monthon remained: Chanthaburi, Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Sawan, Pattani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Phayap, Phitsanulok, Phuket, Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya, Udon Thani and Krung Theb. They were finally abolished in 1933 with the Provincial Administration Act B.E. 2476, part of the changes made after the coup d'etat which the absolut monarchy to a democracy. Since then the 70 provinces were the second level administrative division. 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Siamese coup detat on June 24, 1932 marked the bloodless transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in Thailand. ...

List of monthons

North

• Phayap: The monthon was originally called monthon fai tawan-tok chiang nua, or north-western monthon in 1899, but was renamed to Phayap one year later. The actual administrative reform was established gradually between 1907 and 1915, succeeding the previous high commissionership. It covered the northern principalities of former Lannathai, the provinces Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Nan and Phrae.
• Maharat: The monthon Maharat was created in 1915, when the monthon Phayap was split into two halves. It covered the eastern part of former Phayap, i.e. the provinces Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang and Phrae.
• Nakhon Sawan: The monthon Nakhon Sawan was created in 1895, and was thus among the first ones created. It covered the provinces Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Kamphaeng Phet, Manorom, Phayuhakhiri, Sankhaburi, Tak, Uthai Thani.
• Phitsanulok: Monthon Phitsanulok was established in 1894. It covered the provinces Phitsanulok, Phichai, Phichit, Sukhothai, Sawankhalok.
• Phetchabun: Monthon Phetchabun was split off from monthon Nakhon Ratchasima in 1899. It consisted of the two provinces Lom Sak and Phetchabun, which were later merged. It then became the only monthon covering a single province. It was temporarily included into the monthon Pitsanulok from 1903-1907, before it was finally abolished in 1915 and incorporated into monthon Phitsanulok.

Image File history File links Thailand_monthon_1915. ... Lannathai (often short Lanna, English One Million Thai Rice Fields, Thai ล้านนาไทย) was a kingdom in the north of Thailand around the city of Chiang Mai. ... Chiang Mai (Thai เชียงใหม่) is the second-biggest province (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. ... Lamphun (Thai ลำพูน) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Mae Hong Son (Thai แม่ฮ่องสอน) (also Mae Hong Sorn) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Lampang (Thai ลำปาง) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Chiang Rai (Thai เชียงราย) is the most northern province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nan (Thai น่าน) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phrae (Thai แพร่) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nakhon Sawan (Thai นครสวรรค์) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Chai Nat (Thai ชัยนาท) is one of the central provinces (jangwat) of Thailand. ... Kamphaeng Phet (Thai กำแพงเพชร) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. ... Tak (Thai ตาก) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Uthai Thani (Thai อุทัยธานี) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phitsanulok (Thai พิษณุโลก) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North of Thailand. ... Phichit (Thai พิจิตร) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. ... Sukhothai (Thai สุโขทัย) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Lom Sak was a province of Thailand. ... Phetchabun (Thai เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ...

North-East

• Nakhon Ratchasima: Monthon Nakhon Ratchasima was the first monthon to be created in 1893. It covered the provinces Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum. In 1899 the monthon Phetchabun was split off from Khorat.
• Isan: Monthon Isan was established in 1900. In June 1912 it was split into the two parts - monthon Roi-Et and monthon Ubon.
• Roi-Et: Monthon Roi-Et was split from monthon Isan in 1912. It contained the provinces Roi Et, Kalasin and Maha Sarakham.
• Ubon Rachathani: Monthon Ubon was split from monthon Isan in 1912. It contained the provinces Ubon Ratchathani, Khukhan, Sisaket and Surin.
• Udon Thani: Monthon Udon was established in 1899. It contained the provinces Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai and Sakon Nakhon.

Nakhon Ratchasima (often shortened to Korat, Thai นครราชสีมา) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Buri Ram (Thai บุรีรัมย์) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Chaiyaphum (Thai ชัยภูมิ) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Roi Et (Thai ร้อยเอ็ด) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... Kalasin (Thai กาฬสินธุ์) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... Maha Sarakham (Thai มหาสารคาม) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... Ubon Ratchathani (often in short Ubon, Thai อุบลราชธานี) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Sisaket (Thai ศรีสะเกษ) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Surin (Thai สุรินทร์) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Udon Thani (Thai อุดรธานี) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Khon Kaen (Thai ขอนแก่น) is the second-largest of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Loei (Thai เลย) is one of the most sparsely populated provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... Nakhon Phanom (Thai นครพนม) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nong Khai (Thai หนองคาย) is the one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Sakon Nakhon (Thai: สกลนคร) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ...

South

• Phuket: Monthon Phuket was established in 1898, succeeding a previously established commissionership. It constisted of the provinces Phuket, Thalang, Ranong, Phang Nga, Takua Pa and Krabi. In 1907 Satun was added when most of the area of monthon Kedah was ceded to Britain.
• Chumphon: Monthon Chumphon was established in 1896 consisting of the provinces Chumphon, Chaiya, Kanchanadit, Lang Suan, Ban Don. Chaiya, Kanchanadit and Ban Don were later merged into the province Surat Thani, which became the capital of the monthon in 1905. 1925 the monthon was incorporated into monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat.
• Nakhon Si Thammarat: Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat was established in 1896, consisting of the provinces Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phattalung.
• Pattani: Monthon Pattani was created in 1906, and covered the so-called Seven Malay Provinces Pattani (Tani), Yala, Sai Buri, Yaring, Nong Chik, Raman, Ra-ngae.
• Kedah: Monthon Kedah was established in 1897. It covered the provinces Kedah, Perlis and Satun. In 1907 Kedah was ceded to Britain, Satun as the only remaining province was added to monthon Phuket.

Phuket (Thai ภูเก็ต) (formerly known as Tha-Laang or Talang) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Ranong (Thai ระนอง) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore to the Andaman Sea. ... Phang Nga (Thai พังงา) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. ... Krabi (Thai กระบี่) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore of the Andaman Sea. ... á Satun (Thai สตูล) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... The Monthon Surat Thani (Thai มณฑลสุราษฎร์ธานี, originally named Monthon Chumphon มณฑลชุมพร) was an administrative subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. ... Geography Chumphon is located on the Isthmus of Kra, the narrow landbridge connecting the Malay Peninsula with the mainland of Thailand. ... Surat Thani (often in short Surat, Thai สุราษฎร์ธานี) is the largest of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. ... The Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat (Thai มณฑลนครศรีธรรมราช) was an administrative subdivision of Thailand in the early 20th century. ... Songkhla (Thai สงขลา) is the one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nakhon Si Thammarat (often in short Nakhon, Thai นครศรีธรรมราช) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. ... Phatthalung (Thai พัทลุง) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Pattani (Thai ปัตตานี) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Yala (Thai ยะลา) is the southernmost province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Kedah was a changwat (province) of Thailand. ... á Satun (Thai สตูล) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ...

Central

• Krung Thep (Bangkok): The area around the capital was under the control of the ministry of Urban Affairs, however a similar administration was established with the monthon Krung Theb in 1897. It consisted of the provinces Phra Nakhon, Thon Buri, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phra Pradaeng (Nakhon Khueankhan), Samut Prakan, Thanyaburi, Min Buri. Pathum Thani and Thanyaburi later transferred to monthon Ayutthaya. In 1915 it was renamed to Krung Thep Phra Maha Nakhon (Bangkok metropolis). In 1922 the ministry of Urban Affairs was dissolved and put under the Ministry of Interior, like all the other monthon.
• Ayutthaya: Monthon Ayutthaya was created in 1893, consisting of the provinces Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Lop Buri, Phrom Buri, Sara Buri.
• Ratchaburi: Monthon Ratchaburi was created in 1895 and covered the provinces Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
• Nakhon Chai Si: Monthon Nakhon Chai Si was established in 1895, consisting of the provinces Nakhon Chai Si, Samut Sakhon and Suphan Buri.

Bangkok from the Chao Phraya River at sunset, July 2004 The Wat Phra Kaew temple Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep ( (help· info)), or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon ( (help· info), IPA: ), is the capital and largest city of Thailand, with an official 1990 census population of 8,538,610. ... Thon Buri (ธนบุรี) was capital of Thailand for a short time during the reign of King Taksin, after the previous capital Ayutthaya was sacked by the Burmese. ... Nonthaburi (Thai นนทบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Pathum Thani (Thai ปทุมธานี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Samut Prakan (Thai สมุทรปราการ) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Ayutthaya (full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thai พระนครศรีอยุธยา, pronounced eye-you-TEE-a) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Ang Thong (Thai อ่างทอง) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Lop Buri (Thai ลพบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Saraburi (Thai สระบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Ratchaburi (often short Ratburi, Thai ราชบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Kanchanaburi (Thai กาญจนบุรี) is the largest of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Samut Songkhram (Thai สมุทรสงคราม) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phetchaburi (often short Phetburi, Thai เพชรบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Prachuap Khiri Khan (Thai ประจวบคีรีขันธ์) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nakhon Pathom (Thai นครปฐม) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Samut Sakhon (Thai สมุทรสาคร) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Suphan Buri (Thai สุพรรณบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ...

East

• Prachinburi: Monthon Prachinburi was established in 1893, covering the provinces Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok and Phanom Sarakham.
• Burapa: Monthon Burapha was established in 1903, and covered the provinces Sisophon, Battambang, Phanomsok and Siamriap, all in modern day Cambodia. In 1906 the area was ceded to French Indochina.
• Chanthaburi: Monthon Chanthaburi was established in 1906, covering the provinces Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat. The monthon was created just after the area of monthon Burapa was ceded, and the French returned the province Trat to Thai authority.

Prachin Buri (Thai ปราจีนบุรี) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Chachoengsao (Thai ฉะเชิงเทรา) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nakhon Nayok (Thai นครนายก) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Sisophon was a changwat (province) of Thailand. ... Battambang was a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phanomsok was a changwat (province) of Thailand, ceded to French Indochina in 1906. ... Siamriap was a changwat (province) of Thailand. ... History After the Paknam crisis in 1893 the French colonist troops occupied Chanthaburi, returning it in 1905 when Thailand gave up ownership of the western part of Cambodia. ... Rayong province (Thai spelling ระยอง) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Trat (Thai ตราด) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ...

Boriwen

The larger monthon Phayap, Udon Thani and Isan had an additional administrative level between monthon and provincial administration. Three to five boriwen (บริเวณ), each administrated by a commissioner (khaluang boriwen, ข้าหลวงบริเวณ). Boriwen (บริเวณ) were subdivisions of three of the larger Thai monthon, they were above the changwat (province) level. ...

References

• Tej Bunnag, The Provincial Administration of Siam 1892-1915, ISBN 0195803434
• History of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council

See also

• Subdivisions of Thailand
• Former provinces of Thailand