Phattalung
พัทลุง

Statistics
Capital:	Phattalung
Area:	3,424.5 km² Ranked 58th
Inhabitants:	498,471 (2000) Ranked 47th
Pop. density:	146 inh./km² Ranked 27th
ISO 3166-2:	TH-93
Map

Phattalung (Thai พัทลุง) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Satun and Trang.

Geography

The province is located on the Malay Peninsula. To the east it borders the large shallow Songkhla lake, while the west is covered by mountains.

History

During the reign of King Ramathibodi I of the Ayutthaya kingdom in the 14th century Phattalung became one of twelve royal cities. At the end of the 18th century King Rama I submitted the city to the Ministry of Defense, which was responsible for all the southern provinces. During the administrative reform by King Chulalongkorn Phattalung became part of the Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Demographics

11.1% of the population are muslims.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the 250 meter high Phu Khao Ok Thalu mountain, the symbol of the province. The provincial tree as well as the provincial flower is the Sweet Shorea (Shorea roxburghii).

Administrative divisions

Phattalung is subdivided into 10 districts (Amphoe) and one minor district (King Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 65 communes (tambon) and 626 villages (mubaan).

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand (http://www.tourismthailand.org/province.php?id=75&region=south)
• Golden Jubilee Network province guide (http://kanchanapisek.or.th/cgi-bin/kp8/oncc/province.cgi?prov=s8)