Phitsanulok (Thai: พิษณุโลก) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Loei, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Uttaradit. In the north-east it also has a short border with Xaignabouli of Laos. Phitsanulok is an important and historic town in north central Thailand and is the capital of Phitsanulok province, which stretches all the way to the Laotian border. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... This is a list of the provinces of Thailand in order of their area. ... This is a list of the provinces of Thailand in order of their total population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... This is a list of the provinces of Thailand in order of their population density, based upon the census of 2000. ... The ISO 3166-2 codes for Thailand describe the 75 provinces (changwat) and the city of Bangkok, which is both a province and a municipality. ... Map of Thailand highlighting the Phitsanulok province File links The following pages link to this file: Phitsanulok Province Categories: GFDL images ... 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. ... Loei (Thai เลย) is one of the most sparsely populated provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... Phetchabun (Thai เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phichit (Thai พิจิตร) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. ... Kamphaeng Phet (Thai กำแพงเพชร) 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. ... Uttaradit (Thai อุตรดิตถ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Xaignabouli (Lao ໄຊຍະບູລີ) is a province of Laos, located in the northwest of the country. ...

Etymology

The first element Phitsanu (Thai: พิษณุ) is a cognate of Vishnu, a Hindu god (see, e.g. Witnu, Thai: วิษณุ). Lack of a v sound in the Thai language accounts for the two forms. The second element lok (Thai: โลก) means globe or world. A loose translation of the entire name would be Vishnu's Heaven. Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ...

Geography

The provincial capital of Phitsanulok is sometimes called Song Kwae, the city of two rivers, an ancient name dating to a time centuries ago when the Nan and Khwae Noi rivers met near the city. These two rivers of the Phitsanulok Province are still of major significance to the residents of the region. Geographical features within the province include the Phetchabun Mountains, the Nan River and several of its tributaries, waterfalls, swamps, forests, grasslands, a reservoir and an extensive network of canals. Populated areas of the province are largely cleared of natural vegetation and adapted for farming. The land within the province is situated in the Greater Nan Basin, which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. The province includes land within both of the Greater Nan Basin's sub-basins, i.e. the Nan Basin and Yom Basin.^[1] The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ... The Khwae Noi River (Thai: ) is a river in northern Thailand. ... Western chain in morning fog with the Pa Sok valley in front The Phetchabun mountains are a mountain range in Thailand. ... The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ... The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ... Origin of the Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan A view of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok The Chao Phraya (Thai: ) is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial river plain marking the mainland of the country. ... The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ... The Yom River is the main tributary of the Nan River. ...

Mountains

• Phetchabun Mountains

Western chain in morning fog with the Pa Sok valley in front The Phetchabun mountains are a mountain range in Thailand. ...

Forest

Most of Phitsanulok's forested areas are in the east of the province within Phitsanulok's national parks.

Grasslands

• Thung Non Son^[2]
• Thung Phaya^[2]
• Thung Salaeng Luang^[2]

Lands Adapted for Agricultural Use

The majority of inhabited lands in Phitsanulok (i.e., outside the National Parks) have been largely cleared of their natural vegetation and adapted for agricultural use, primarily rice farming. As a result, several of the indigenous species of plant life in the region have become endangered. The Siberian Tiger is a subspecies of tiger that are critically endangered. ...

Major Rivers

The principal rivers that flow through the province belong to the Nan River System. The following tree indicates the positions of the province's rivers in the Nan tributary tree: The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ...

• Nan River
  • Yom River
  • Wat Ta Yom River
    • Tha Muen Ram River
      • Chomphu River
  • Wang Thong River
  • Khwae Noi River

The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ... The Yom River is the main tributary of the Nan River. ... The Wat Ta Yom River (Thai: ) is a tributary of the Nan River in Thailand. ... The Wat Ta Yom River (Thai: ) is a tributary of the Nan River in Thailand. ... The Wat Ta Yom River (Thai: ) is a tributary of the Nan River in Thailand. ... The Wang Thong River (Thai: ) (also known as the Khek River) is a river in Thailand. ... The Khwae Noi River (Thai: ) is a river in northern Thailand. ...

Streams

The minor rivers and streams which flow through Phitsanulok Province include the Fia, Kaem, Kap, Pak, Kleung, Bang Kaeo, Grung Grak, Ban Mung, and Tarai Yoi.

Waterfalls

At least 9 waterfalls or namtok lie within the borders of the province:

• Kaeng Song Waterfall
• Kaeng Sopha Waterfall
• Na Hin Waterfall^[3]
• Najan Waterfall^[3]
• Pakrong Waterfall (a.k.a. Chat Trakan Waterfall)^[3]
• Pha Ku Ka Waterfall^[3]
• Poi Waterfall
• Sri Dit Waterfall
• Wang Nok Aen Waterfall

Namtok Kaeng Song (Thai: ) is a waterfall and tourist attraction in the Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok Province in Thailand. ... Namtok Kaeng Sopha (Thai: ) is a waterfall and tourist attraction in Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok Province in Thailand. ... Namtok Sri Dit is a waterfall and tourist attraction in Thailand. ... Sakunothayan Arboretum is an arboretum in the Phitsanulok Province of Thailand. ...

Canals

The farming industry of Phitsanulok is supported by an extensive network of irrigation canals called khlong, which connect the farms to the Nan River and its tributaries. Floating market of Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi province A khlong (also commonly but less correctly called a klong; Thai คลอง) is a canal in the central plain of Thailand spawned by the Chao Phraya, the Ta Chi and the Mae Klong rivers. ... The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ...

Lakes

• Huay Nam Kem Reservoir

Swamps

There are a number of swamps or beung in Phitsanulok province. The most significant of these swamps are as follows:

• Beung Thakreng (Thai: บึงตะเคร็ง)
• Beung Laman (Thai: บึงละมาน)
• Beung Kee Raeng (Thai: บึงขี้แร้ง)
• Beung Rachanok

The Wang Thong River (Thai: ) (also known as the Khek River) is a river in Thailand. ...

Natural Dynamics

Climate

Most of Phitsanulok has a hot tropical climate with considerable annual rainfall (annual rainfall is approximately 1.8 meters). In the higher altitude regions of the province, however, the climate is cool, with temperatures peaking at around 25° Celcius, sometimes dropping below the freezing point. With regard to rainfall, there is a dry season and a rainy season. The rainy season begins in the spring and ends around November. Deforestation and urban development along the river banks, combined with the extensive amount of rainfall in the region, have led to some climate change issues, primarily manifested in recent severe flooding within the province and elsewhere downstream of the Nan River. This article is about the process of deforestation in the environment. ... Urban, city, or town planning, deals with design of the built environment from the municipal and metropolitan perspective. ... Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 450,000 years For current global climate change, see Global warming. ... The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ...

Wildlife and Vegitation

Phitsanulok is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species, including a number of endangered species. Indigenous animal species include barking deer, wild boar, jungle fowl, chevrotain, squirrel and chipmunk. ^[3] Indigenous plant species include Siamese sal (Shorea obtusa), Ingyin (Shorea siamensis), Dipterocarpaceae, Ironwood, Buemese ebony (Pterocarpus macrocarpus), Phayom (Shorea Roxburghii), Fagacear, wild mango, Makhaa Mong, Lagerstroemia, rattan and bamboo. ^[3] The Siberian Tiger is a subspecies of tiger that are critically endangered. ... Species 10 species, see text Muntjac are deer of the genus Muntiacus, also known as Barking Deer. ... Binomial name Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 The Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) is the wild ancestor of the domesticated pig. ... Species Gallus gallus Gallus lafayetii Gallus sonneratii Gallus varius Junglefowl are a group of four living species of bird in the pheasant family which occur in India, Sri Lanka and south east Asia. ... The four species of chevrotain, also known as mouse deer (not to be confused with deer mice, Peromyscus), make up the family Tragulidae. ... This article is about the animal. ... Species 25 species Chipmunk is the common name for any small squirrel-like rodent species of the genus Tamias in the family Sciuridae. ... Species About 360 species, including: Shorea academia Shorea acuminata Shorea acuminatissima Shorea affinis Shorea agamii Shorea albida Shorea almon Shorea amplexicaulis Shorea aptera Shorea argentifolia Shorea assamica Shorea atrinervosa Shorea balangeran Shorea beccariana Shorea bracteolata Shorea brunnescens Shorea collina Shorea compressa Shorea congestiflora Shorea contorta Shorea cordifolia Shorea crassa Shorea... Species About 360 species, including: Shorea academia Shorea acuminata Shorea acuminatissima Shorea affinis Shorea agamii Shorea albida Shorea almon Shorea amplexicaulis Shorea aptera Shorea argentifolia Shorea assamica Shorea atrinervosa Shorea balangeran Shorea beccariana Shorea bracteolata Shorea brunnescens Shorea collina Shorea compressa Shorea congestiflora Shorea contorta Shorea cordifolia Shorea crassa Shorea... Genera Anisoptera Cotylelobium Dipterocarpus Dryobalanops Hopea Marquesia Monotes Neobalanocarpus Pakaraimaea Parashorea Shorea Stemonoporus Upuna Vateria Vateriopsis Vatica Dipterocarpaceae is a family of 17 genera and approximately 580-680 species of mainly tropical lowland rainforest trees with two-winged fruits. ... Ironwood may refer to the following: Any particular wood that has a reputation for hardness. ... Species Including: Pterocarpus dalbergioides (Andaman Padouk) Pterocarpus indicus (Narra) Pterocarpusangolensis (Muninga) Pterocarpus macrocarpus (Burmese rosewood) Pterocarpus soyauxii (African Padouk) Pterocarpus satalinus (Red Sandelwood) Padauk (or padouk) is an Indonesian collective name for a group of fragrant timbers and trees from the genus Pterocarpus, found in the tropics of Southeast Asia... Species About 360 species, including: Shorea academia Shorea acuminata Shorea acuminatissima Shorea affinis Shorea agamii Shorea albida Shorea almon Shorea amplexicaulis Shorea aptera Shorea argentifolia Shorea assamica Shorea atrinervosa Shorea balangeran Shorea beccariana Shorea bracteolata Shorea brunnescens Shorea collina Shorea compressa Shorea congestiflora Shorea contorta Shorea cordifolia Shorea crassa Shorea... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus (from Latin oak tree), and some related genera, notably Cyclobalanopsis and Lithocarpus. ... Species see text For Irvingia F.Muell. ... Species About 50, including: Lagerstroemia indica Lagerstroemia speciosa The Crape-myrtles Lagerstroemia are a genus of about 50 species of deciduous and evergreen trees or large shrubs native to east Asia and Australia. ... Genera Calamus Calospatha Ceratolobus Daemonorops Eremospatha Eugeissonia Korthalsia Laccosperma Metroxylon Myrialepis Oncocalamus Pigafetta Plectocomia Plectomiopsis Raphia Zalacca Zalacella Rattan (from the Malay rotan), is the name for the roughly six hundred species of palms in the tribe Calameae, native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia. ... For other uses, see Bamboo (disambiguation). ...

Phitsanulok Basin (geology)

The Phitsanulok Basin is a geological basin or interactonic rift (as opposed to a drainage basin) bounded to the west by the boundary fault, to the east by the Phetchabun fault, to the north by the Uttaradit fault and to the south by the Mae Ping fault. The total land area is approximately 6,000 square kilometers. The basin is composed of gravel, claystone, sandstone and siltstone. The Lan Krabu, Chum Saeng, Yom and Ping Formations are hydrocarbon reservoirs in the basin containing coal. Thai-Shell and PTT-EP have carried out exploration of this basin for purposes of locating oil reserves.^[4] The term sedimentary basin is used to refer to any geographical feature exhibiting subsidence and consequent infilling by sedimentation. ...

Conservation

Conservation of the region's natural resources is just beginning to be realized in the province. Plans for sustainable development are being implemented, and over the last 30 years, more and more land has been set aside as protected areas. The protected areas in Phitsanulok include the province's four national parks. For a list of national parks, see Attractions below. Sustainable development is a socio-ecological process characterized by the fulfilment of human needs while maintaining the quality of the natural environment indefinitely. ...

History

Ancient History

Phitsanulok Province was inhabited during the stone age, as many stone axes have been found in the area indicative of the time period.^[5] Stone Age fishing hook. ...

Sukhothai Period

• Phitsanulok was the major city in the east of the Sukhothai Kingdom.
• Construction of Wat Chula Manee

The Sukhothai kingdom was a kingdom in the north of Thailand around the city Sukhothai. ...

Ayutthaya Period

• Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat was constructed in 1357.
• King Borommatrailokanat (1448-1488) moved the capital of the Ayutthaya kingdom to Phitsanulok in 1463 to strengthen the northern boundary of the kingdom. His successor Boromma Ratchathirat III moved it back to Ayutthaya.
• In 1555, King Naresuan the Great was born in the city.^[6]
• Phitsanulok was a major place of recruitment during Ayutthaya's war with Burma.^[6]

King Borommatrailokanat (often short Trailok, Thai สมเด็จพระบรมไตรโลกนาถ, 1431-1488) was king of Ayutthaya 1448-88. ... Events January 5/ 6 - Christopher of Bavaria, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden dies with no designated heir leaving all three kingdoms with vacant thrones. ... // January 8 - The present Royal Netherlands Navy was formed By decree of Maximillian of Austria. ... The kingdom of Ayutthaya (Thai: ) was a Thai kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767. ... Events January 5 - Poet Francois Villon is banned from Paris Births January 17 - Frederick III, Elector of Saxony (died 1525) February 24 - Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Italian philosopher (died 1494) October 20 - Alessandro Achillini, Italian philosopher (died 1512) Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de Medici, Italian patron of the arts (died 1503... Events Russia breaks 60 year old truce with Sweden by attacking Finland February 2 - Diet of Augsburg begins February 4 - John Rogers becomes first Protestant martyr in England February 9 - Bishop of Gloucester John Hooper is burned at the stake May 23 - Paul IV becomes Pope. ... King Naresuan the Great (1555 - April 25, 1605, also sometimes called Naret or the Black Prince, Thai สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช) was king of Siam (today Thailand) from 1590 until his death in 1605. ... The kingdom of Ayutthaya (Thai: ) was a Thai kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767. ...

19th Century

The largest market in the Phitsanulok precinct moved upriver from Ban Sam Ruen to Ban Wang Thong in 1898.^[7] Ban Sam Ruen (Thai: บ้านสามเรือน) is a village in the Nakhon Pa Mak subdistrict of Amphoe Bang Krathum District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. ...

20th Century

• In 1910, Phitsanulok's status was changed from precinct to province.
• The first agricultural cooperative in Thailand, the Wat Chan Agricultural Cooperative Unlimited Liability, was established in Phitsanulok Province on February 26, 1916.^[8]
• The Phitsanulok fire of 1955 destroyed much of the older portion of the city of Phitsanulok.
• The province was severely flooded in 1967.
• In the 1970s, Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park was the main stronghold of the now defunct communist People’s Liberation Army of Thailand.
• Thung Salaeng Luang was established as a national park in 1972.
• The Naresuan Dam was constructed throughout the span of 1976 through 1985 on the Nan River as part of the Phitsanulok Irrigation Project.^[9]
• Phu Hin Rong Kla was established as a national park in 1984.
• The Chat Trakan District of Phitsanulok Province was a front in the Thailand-Laos Border War of December, 1987 - February, 1988.^[10]

The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ... The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ... Chat Trakan (Thai: ) is the northernmost district (Amphoe) of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ...

Recent Events

• In June, 2001, Phitsanulok hosted the Asia-Pacific Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors.^[11]
• In 2005, two cases of bird flu were uncovered on a duck farm in the province.
• In 2007, residents witnessed the worst flooding in the province since the 1967 floods. See Issues of Public Concern, below.

Avian influenza (also known as bird flu) is a type of influenza virulent in birds. ... A flood (in Old English flod, a word common to Teutonic languages; compare German Flut, Dutch vloed from the same root as is seen in flow, float) is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. ...

Political Dynamics

Government

The chief executive office of the province is the governor. Sombun Siphatthanawat has held the position since October, 2007. Recent Phitsanulok governors prior to Mr. Siphatthanawat include Piphat Wongsaroj (Thai: พิพัฒน์ วงศาโรจน์, 2003-2007) and Wijarn Chaiyanan before him.

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided in 9 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 93 communes (tambon) and 993 muban, which are administrative divisions at the village level. (There are a greater number of muban than actual villages in the province, because larger villages often occupy more than one muban.) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... 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. ... Muban (Tha หมู่บ้าน) is the lowest administrative subdivision of Thailand. ...

Mueang Phitsanulok (Thai: ) is the capital district (Amphoe Mueang) of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... Nakhon Thai (Thai: ) is a district (Amphoe) in the eastern part of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... Chat Trakan (Thai: ) is the northernmost district (Amphoe) of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... Bang Rakam (Thai: ) is a district (Amphoe) in the western part of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... Bang Krathum (Thai: ) is a district (Amphoe) in the Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. ... Phrom Phiram (Thai: ) is a district (Amphoe) in the northwestern part of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... Wat Bot (Thai: ) is a district (Amphoe) in the northern part of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... Wang Thong (Thai: ) is a district (Amphoe) of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... Noen Maprang (Thai: ) is the southernmost district (Amphoe) of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ...

Official Provincial Symbols

Channels of Public Communication

The main channels for communication between the government and the people of the province are television and radio. Internet use is emerging in Phitsanulok, but most rural areas do not have access, other than via post office kiosks. The following public television and radio stations are received throughout the province:

• Radio Thailand Phitsanulok (AM 1026/FM 94.25)^[13]
• PRD-11 (television channel 7, owned and operated by the Government Public Relations Department)^[14]
• ARMY-5 (television channel 11, owned and operated by the Army)^[14]

Additionally, during election campaigns, candidates use signs, vehicles with loud speakers, and political parades to obtain voters.

Demographics

Ethnic Diversity

In addition to the majority Thai ethnicity, Phitsanulok has a considerable amount of residents who are of Mon, Chinese,^[7] Hmong, and other minority ethnicities. The contributions of these diverse ethnic groups have influenced the culture in the region. The Mon (Burmese: ) are an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. ... Languages Hmong/Mong Religions Shamanism, Buddhism, Christianity, others The terms Hmong (IPA:) and Mong () both refer to an Asian ethnic group whose homeland was originally in the mountainous regions of southern China. ...

Language

The vast majority of residents of Phitsanulok Province speak Thai or a dialect thereof. Minority populations speak Sino-Tibetan and Hmongic languages. Some residents speak English as well. Some of the minority dialects of Thai spoken in Phitsanulok are often referred to by standard Thai speakers in the region as Lao, although the term is used loosely, as not all of these dialects are actually Laotian. The Sino-Tibetan languages form a putative language family composed of Chinese and the Tibeto-Burman languages, including some 250 languages of East Asia. ... The Hmong-Mien or Miao-Yao languages are a small language family of southern China and Southeast Asia. ... The Tai-Kadai languages are a language family found in Southeast Asia and southern China. ... “LAOS” redirects here. ...

Religeon

The people of Phitsanulok are predominantly Theravada Buddhists, although minority religeons are practiced. Theravada (Pāli: theravāda; Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and most of continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand). ...

Socio-Economic Dynamics

Economy

The economy of Phitsanulok Province is driven by agriculture, forestry, commercial fishery, mineral resources, industry and tourism. Rice production is the central component of the agricultural sector. The province's rich black soil, intricate canal systems and abundant rainfall provide an ideal environment for growing rice.

Education

Naresuan University (abbreviated as Mor Nor for Mahawithayalai Naresuan) is an educational center of the Lower Northern region of Thailand. Located in Tambon Tha Pho, near the city of Phitsanulok, the university is named after King Naresuan the Great, and the campus contains a large statue of him. Naresuan University is a government sponsored university in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand. ... Phitsanulok is an important and historic town in north central Thailand and is the capital of Phitsanulok province, which stretches all the way to the Laotian border. ... King Naresuan the Great (1555 - April 25, 1605, also sometimes called Naret or the Black Prince, Thai สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช) was king of Siam (today Thailand) from 1590 until his death in 1605. ...

Settlements

The largest urban area in the province is the city of Phitsanulok, situated on the Nan River. There are also approximately four hundred villages in the province. Phitsanulok is an important and historic town in north central Thailand and is the capital of Phitsanulok province, which stretches all the way to the Laotian border. ...

Transportation

Busses and trains provide public transportation within the province and connect the province with the rest of Thailand. There is also an airport in the city of Phitsanulok. Other popular modes of transporation include motorcycle, bicycle and tuk tuk. In modern times, boats are primarily used for recreation, rather than transportation throughout the province, although much of the Nan River is navigable. Roads in Phitsanulok are generally not what westerners would consider highways, although roads between major commercial areas are reasonably well cared for and suitable for personal and commercial transportation. The majority of rural roads are dirt roads, some of which become impassible when flash flooding occurs.^[15] For other uses, see Motorcycle (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bicycle (disambiguation). ... Tuk-tuk waiting for passengers in Bangkok The tuk-tuk (ตุ๊กตุ๊ก or ตุ๊กๆ in Thai) is the Southeast Asian version of a vehicle known elsewhere as an auto rickshaw or cabin cycle. ...

Architecture

The architecture throughout the province is diverse. Structures include elaborate and ornate red-roofed temples, rain-drop shaped chedi, houses on piles, house boats, modern multi-story apartment complexes, hotels and office buildings, and European style single-family homes. The most sophisticated and renowned architectural sites are the province's historic temples. For a list of historic temples, see Attractions below. A stupa A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ...

Culture

Much of the culture in the region centers around the Theravada Buddhist traditions of its residents and their agriculture and riparian lifestyles. Residents celebrate their culture and heritage in various festivals throughout the year. Theravada (Pāli: theravāda; Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and most of continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand). ...

Religeous Practice

Most residents are active followers of the Theravada Buddhist religeon. Buddhism is practiced at the many temples or wat located throughout the province, and Buddhist monks attend weddings, funerals and other life events. It is customary for young men to become monks for a period of time as a religeous rite of passage. The ceremony of ordination into monkshood is analagous to confirmation in Christianity or Bar Mitzvah in Judaism. Ancestor respect is a major component to the religeous practices in the province. Many homes have shrines to deceased ancestors, at which food and drink are regularly left as offerings. Celebrations and commemorations of death anniversaries for family members are common practice. Theravada (Pāli: theravāda; Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and most of continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand). ...

Traditional Dance

Traditional dance has been passed down from generation to generation in Phitsanulok, and remains an important part of modern Thai culture and the identity of the Thai people. Thai dance falls under two major categories, classical dance and folk dance. Thai classical dance tells a stories through its motions, along with musical narration. Local folk dance includes theatrical dance forms as well as regional and ritual elements.

Cuisine

Traditional Thai cuisine and local specialties are the standard in both homes and restaurants throughout the province. Much of the local cuisine has developed from the regional rice farming industry and the fish found in the rivers and canals. Some local dishes include recipes involving various insects. Popular local specialties include dried bananas, and papaya salad prepared with local soft-shell crabs which are found in large numbers in the seasonally flooded rice farms. Orders Subclass Apterygota Symphypleona - globular springtails Subclass Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) Subclass Dicondylia Monura - extinct Thysanura (common bristletails) Subclass Pterygota Diaphanopteroidea - extinct Palaeodictyoptera - extinct Megasecoptera - extinct Archodonata - extinct Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Blattodea (cockroaches) Mantodea (mantids) Isoptera (termites) Zoraptera Grylloblattodea Dermaptera (earwigs) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets...

Sports

Long-boat racing has historically been an important element of the local culture. In recent times, soccer has become increasingly popular. In 2005, Phitsanulok won the 2nd Northern Youth Football Championship (football referring to soccer) in the U12 and U15 age groups.^[16] Traditional Thai boxing is also a major sport in the province, and there are several boxing camps within the province. A longboat is a large boat powered by multiple oars and carried on a ship (especially sailed merchant ships). ... Muay Thai (Thai มวยไทย, IPA /muai32 tʰai32/), also known as Thai boxing or Thai kickboxing, is a martial art originally from Thailand. ...

Cock Fighting

An interesting aspect of the regional culture is traditional cock fighting. The Bangkok Post describes the royal fighting cock breed as the pride of the northern province of Phitsanulok. ^[17] Villagers of Ban Krang still practice the traditional game of cock fighting on festive occasions.^[17] The Cock Fight by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1847) A cockfight is a contest, held in a cockpit between two fighting cocks (roosters) trained to severely injure and/or kill one another. ...

Western Influence

Recently, western culture has influenced the regional culture, introducing western style dress (although traditional dress is still worn at certain ceremonies and festivals), and western sports such as soccer. As methods of communication with the western world continue to improve, especially with growing community acces to internet technology and mobile phones, the trend is likely to continue. For this articles equivalent regarding the East, see Eastern culture. ... Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ...

Attractions

National Parks

Four national parks are located in the province: National parks in Thailand are defined as an area of least ten square kilometres that contains natural resources of ecological importance or unique beauty, or flora and fauna of special importance. ...

• Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is one of Thailand's major large forest areas and spreads across some 789,000 rais in Phitsanulok and Petchabun. It is also the location of Namtok Kaeng Sopha.^[18]
• Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park encompasses portions of Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Loei. It was formerly a battleground between Thai government forces and communist insurgents. The park contains Lan Hin Taek, natural rock formations covered with orchids, ferns, moss, lichens and seasonal flowers.^[18]
• Chat Trakan National Park encompasses 146,875 rais and contains a seven levelled waterfall. The source of the Kwae Noi river is within the park.^[18]
• Kaeng Chet Khwae National Park^[19]

Phetchabun (Thai เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Namtok Kaeng Sopha (Thai: ) is a waterfall and tourist attraction in Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok Province in Thailand. ... Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park is a national park located in the Loei, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces of Thailand. ... Phetchabun (Thai เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern 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. ... Orchid re-directs here; for alternate uses see Orchid (disambiguation) Genera Over 800 See List of Orchidaceae genera. ... Ferns could be the plural of fern, a type of plant that reproduces using spores rather than seeds. ... For other uses, see Moss (disambiguation). ... For other things named Lichen, see: Lichen (disambiguation). ... The Khwae Noi River (Thai: ) is a river in northern Thailand. ...

Historic Temples

Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan

• Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan
• Wat Ratburana (Thai: วัดราชบูรณะ)
• Wat Aranyik is a Sukhothai era temple, surrounded by moats.
• Wat Nang Phaya
• Wat Chedi Yod Thong
• Wat Chula Manee is famous for its corncob-shaped tower or prang and its unique, ornate and elaborate plaster designs.
• Wat Grung See Jayrin

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (600 × 800 pixel, file size: 231 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photo by Tevaprapas Makklay, 2007 ภายในพระวิหารพระพุทธชินราช วัดพระศรีรัตนมหาธาตุวรมหาวิหาร Wat Phra Sri Ratanamahatat. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (600 × 800 pixel, file size: 231 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photo by Tevaprapas Makklay, 2007 ภายในพระวิหารพระพุทธชินราช วัดพระศรีรัตนมหาธาตุวรมหาวิหาร Wat Phra Sri Ratanamahatat. ... The Sukhothai kingdom was a kingdom in the north of Thailand around the city Sukhothai. ... The moated manor house of Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire, England Moats were deep and wide trenches, usually filled with water, to provide a barrier against attack upon castle ramparts or other fortifications. ... Ban Grong Greng (Thai: ) is a rural village in the northwest portion of the Nakhon Pa Mak subdistrict of Bang Krathum District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. ...

Other Attractions

• Sakunothayan Arboretum^[2]
• Caves of Phitsanulok Province^[20]
• Khek River Rapids
• Giant Tamarind Tree of Ban Kok^[2]
• King Naresuan the Great Shrine^[2]
• Sergeant-Major Dr. Thawee Buranakhet Folklore Museum (collection of folk arts, crafts, basketry, pottery and ancient kitchen utensils)^[2]
• Nan River Houseboats^[2]
• City Walls of Phitsanulok^[2]
• Kaeng Wang Nam Yen Rapids^[2]
• Bang Kaew Dog Farm^[2] specializing in the breeding of Bang Kaew Dogs
• White jade image of Chao Mae Guan Im
• Buranathai Buddha Foundry
• Phitsanulok City Night Market
• Peacock zoo at Wanathara Health Resort and Spa

Sakunothayan Arboretum is an arboretum in the Phitsanulok Province of Thailand. ... The Wang Thong River (Thai: ) (also known as the Khek River) is a river in Thailand. ... The Nan River at What Tha Luang, Phichit Province The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. ... The Thai Bangkaew Dog is an Asian dog breed. ...

Festivals and Annual Events

• Kaeng Song Coffee Tasting Festival and Khek River Rafting Festival^[21]
• Ban Dongphayom Boat Race^[22]
• Brotherly Villages Boat Race^[23]
• Phitsanulok City Dragon Boat Races
• Phra Buddha Chinnarat Fair
• Suan Chom Nan Park Semi-Annual Festival

Namtok Kaeng Song (Thai: ) is a waterfall and tourist attraction in the Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok Province in Thailand. ... The Wang Thong River (Thai: ) (also known as the Khek River) is a river in Thailand. ... Ban Dongphayom (Thai: ) is a village (muban) in the Nakhon Pa Mak subdistrict of Bang Krathum District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. ... The Wang Thong River (Thai: ) (also known as the Khek River) is a river in Thailand. ...

Issues of Public Concern

Primary issues of public concern within the province are poverty, health care, access to clean running water, environmental degradation, flooding, education, ^[24] prostitution ^[25], HIV,^[24] and substance abuse. The degree to which these issues affect the region vary greatly by district within the province. Measures have been taken to address many of these concerns including the establishment of national parks, heightened enforcement of crimes involving women trafficing and the implementation of the Strategy for Sustainable Development in Phitsanulok (SSDP) ^[26] and Solid Waste Management Program for Phitsanulok^[27] A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ... A physician visiting the sick in a hospital. ... Bold textEnvironmental degradation is related to the deterioration of the environment both in terms of quantity and extinction of some wildlife species and quality like air, water or land pollution. ... A flood (in Old English flod, a word common to Teutonic languages; compare German Flut, Dutch vloed from the same root as is seen in flow, float) is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. ... Whore redirects here. ... Species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Human immunodeficiency virus 2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). ... Also see Alcoholism and Drug addiction. ...

Poverty

It is estimated that around 10% of the population in the city of Phitsanulok live below the poverty line, ^[28] and poverty rates in the rural parts of the province are expected to be higher.

Health Care

Access to health care has declined recently in Phitsanulok, since the recent 2006 coup in Bangkok, after which the new administration repealed Thaksin's 30 baht health care program. ^[29] Critics of Thaksin's health care program, however, suggest that prior to the coup, the program was diminishing the quality of health care in rural provinces such as Phitsanulok by bankrupting hospitals and causing doctors to resign from the public sector and relocate to Bangkok.^[30] Wikinews has news related to: Category:2006 Thailand coup The 2006 Thailand coup détat took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ... “Thaksin” redirects here. ...

Recent Flooding

This section documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

Deforestation and urban development along the river banks in the region, combined with seasonal downpours in the Phetchabun Mountains have led to severe flooding in recent years within the province.^[31] Flooding in the province in 2007 was described by the Bangkok post as the worst floods in 40 years.^[32] On october 4, 2007, 100 rescue workers and 100 soldiers were dispatched to assist stranded residents in tambon Chompu and tambon Ban Mung, where water levels rose more than a meter.^[33] On that same day, Phitsanulok Governor Somboon Sripattanawat declared the Noen Maprang District a disaster zone.^[33] On October 6, 2007, Pongsagorn Kaenmanee, age 9 was among the first to drown in the flood waters.^[34] By October 8, 2007, the floods had killed at least three people in the Wang Thong District, and that district, in addition to Noen Maprang, was declared a disaster zone.^[35] On October 8, 2007, Deputy Prime Minister and Social Development and Human Security minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham visited the Phitsanulok Province to assess and address the flooding issues in the province.^[36] On October 12, 2007, the flooding took the life of another villager in the province, who drowned after being swept away while he was rowing his boat to cast a fishing net.^[37] On October 15, 2007, the Royal Irrigation Department announced plans to construct six dams on the Wang Thong River as an attempt to solve the problem of seasonal flooding.^[38] A meeting of senior officials is scheduled for October 31, 2007 to discuss the results of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the dam proposal.^[38] Flooding in the region is a recurring problem in Phitsanulok Province this time of year. In 2006, for example, between August 20 and December 13, over 22,000 people in 70 villages within Phitsanulok were affected by flooding, and over 1800 acres of farmland and 194 roads within the province were submerged by flood waters.^[39] This year, the impact is expected to be much worse. Image File history File links Gnome_globe_current_event. ... This article is about the process of deforestation in the environment. ... Urban, city, or town planning, deals with design of the built environment from the municipal and metropolitan perspective. ... Western chain in morning fog with the Pa Sok valley in front The Phetchabun mountains are a mountain range in Thailand. ... Noen Maprang (Thai: ) is the southernmost district (Amphoe) of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... Wang Thong (Thai: ) is a district (Amphoe) of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. ... The Wang Thong River (Thai: ) (also known as the Khek River) is a river in Thailand. ... An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is an assessment of the likely influence a project may have on the environment. ...

References

1. ^ Basins in Thailand
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Thailand Guidebook-Phitsanulok Province
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Namtok Chat Trakan National Park
4. ^ Phitsanulok Basin at Department of Mineral Resources
5. ^ Phitsanulok Thailand History
6. ^ ^{a b} Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
7. ^ ^{a b} Alternate Identities: The Chinese of Contemporary Thailand
8. ^ Agricultural Cooperative
9. ^ Phitsanulok Irrigation Project
10. ^ Thailand-Laos Border War
11. ^ Asia-Pacific Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors
12. ^ ^{a b} Phitsanulok provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
13. ^ Radio Thailand Phitsanulok
14. ^ ^{a b} Thai TV: Television Stations in Thailand on VHF and UHF
15. ^ Heavy rains caused flash floods in Phitsanulok
16. ^ Phitsanulok wins the 2nd Northern Youth Football Championship
17. ^ ^{a b} Birds of a Royal Feather (Bangkok Post article on cock fighting in Phistanulok)
18. ^ ^{a b c} Phitsanulok at ThaiWebsites.com
19. ^ http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=187&lg=2
20. ^ The Caves of Phitsanulok Province
21. ^ Kaeng Song Cafe - Khek river rafting festival
22. ^ Ban Dongphayom Boat Race at Department of Agriculture Extension (Thai)
23. ^ Alternate Identities: The Chinese of Contemporary Thailand
24. ^ ^{a b} Phitsanulok on unescap.org
25. ^ Article on Women Trafficing on ibiblio.org
26. ^ GIS Application on the Strategy for Sustainable Development in Phitsanulok Province
27. ^ Solid Waste Management Program for Phitsanulok
28. ^ Health System Reform and Ethics
29. ^ Medical Tourism in Thailand
30. ^ Thailand's Health Care Plan Creates Challenges for Hospitals
31. ^ River and Watershed Facts on the Chao Phraya
32. ^ Phitsanulok has worst floods in 40 years (Bangkok Post article)
33. ^ ^{a b} Phitsanulok Residents stranded in flash floods
34. ^ Nine-Year-Old Boy Swept Away as Floodwaters Swell
35. ^ Three dead in Phitsanulok floods
36. ^ Phitsanulok has worst floods in 40 years(Army TV article)
37. ^ Man drowns in Phitsanulok flash flood
38. ^ ^{a b} Six small dams planned in Phitsanulok
39. ^ 2006 Global Register of Major Flood Events

External links

• Official website (Thai)
• Phitsanulok Province on WikiThailand

Provinces of Thailand

Capital: Bangkok North: Chiang Mai | Chiang Rai | Kamphaeng Phet | Lampang | Lamphun | Mae Hong Son | Nakhon Sawan | Nan | Phayao | Phetchabun | Phichit | Phitsanulok | Phrae | Sukhothai | Tak | Uthai Thani | Uttaradit North-East: Amnat Charoen | Buri Ram | Chaiyaphum | Kalasin | Khon Kaen | Loei | Maha Sarakham | Mukdahan | Nakhon Phanom | Nakhon Ratchasima | Nong Bua Lamphu | Nong Khai | Roi Et | Sakon Nakhon | Si Sa Ket | Surin | Ubon Ratchathani | Udon Thani | Yasothon Central: Ang Thong | Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | Chachoengsao | Chai Nat | Kanchanaburi | Lop Buri | Nakhon Nayok | Nakhon Pathom | Nonthaburi | Pathum Thani | Phetchaburi | Prachuap Khiri Khan | Ratchaburi | Samut Prakan | Samut Sakhon | Samut Songkhram | Saraburi | Sing Buri | Suphan Buri South: Chumphon | Krabi | Nakhon Si Thammarat | Narathiwat | Pattani | Phang Nga | Phatthalung | Phuket | Ranong | Satun | Songkhla | Surat Thani | Trang | Yala East: Chanthaburi | Chonburi | Prachin Buri | Rayong | Sa Kaeo | Trat

Coordinates: 16°49′35″N, 100°15′37″E 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. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Thailand. ... Location within in Thailand Coordinates: , Country Settled Ayutthaya Period Founded as capital 21 April 1782 Government  - Type Special administrative area  - Governer Apirak Kosayothin Area  - City 1,568. ... Northern Thailand usually describes the area covered by 17 provinces. ... Chiang Mai (Thai เชียงใหม่) is the second-biggest province (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. ... Chiang Rai (Thai เชียงราย) is the most northern province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Kamphaeng Phet (Thai กำแพงเพชร) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. ... Lampang (Thai ลำปาง) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... 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, and at the same time the westernmost. ... Nakhon Sawan (Thai: ) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nan (Thai น่าน) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phayao (Thai พะเยา) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phetchabun (Thai เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phichit (Thai พิจิตร) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. ... Phrae (Thai แพร่) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Sukhothai (Thai สุโขทัย) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Tak (Thai ตาก) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Uthai Thani (Thai อุทัยธานี) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Uttaradit (Thai อุตรดิตถ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand Pak Isan (also written as Isaan, Issan, or Esarn; Thai/Isan อีสาน) is the northeast region of Thailand. ... Amnat Charoen (Thai อำนาจเจริญ) 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. ... Kalasin (Thai กาฬสินธุ์) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East 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. ... Maha Sarakham (Thai มหาสารคาม) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... Mukdahan (Thai: ) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nakhon Phanom (Thai นครพนม) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: ), often shortened to Korat or Khorat, is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nong Bua Lamphu (Thai หนองบัวลำภู) 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. ... Roi Et (Thai ร้อยเอ็ด) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... Sakon Nakhon (Thai: สกลนคร) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Sisaket (Thai: ) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Surin (Thai สุรินทร์) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Ubon Ratchathani (often in short Ubon, Thai อุบลราชธานี) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Udon Thani (Thai อุดรธานี) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Yasothon (Thai ยโสธร) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... Central Thailand is a region of Thailand, covering the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. ... Ang Thong (Thai อ่างทอง) 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. ... Chachoengsao (Thai ฉะเชิงเทรา) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Chai Nat (Thai ชัยนาท) is one of the central provinces (jangwat) of Thailand. ... Kanchanaburi (Thai กาญจนบุรี) is the largest of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Lop Buri (Thai ลพบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nakhon Nayok (Thai นครนายก) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Nakhon Pathom (Thai นครปฐม) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... 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. ... 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. ... Ratchaburi (often short Ratburi, Thai ราชบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Samut Prakan (Thai  ) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Samut Sakhon (Thai สมุทรสาคร) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Samut Songkhram (Thai สมุทรสงคราม) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Saraburi (Thai สระบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Sing Buri (Thai สิงห์บุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Suphan Buri (Thai สุพรรณบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Southern Thailand is a distinct region of Thailand, connected with the Central region by the narrow Kra Isthmus. ... Chumphon (Thai ชุมพร) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore of the Gulf of Thailand. ... Krabi (Thai กระบี่) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore of the Andaman Sea. ... 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. ... Narathiwat (Thai นราธิวาส) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Pattani (Thai ปัตตานี) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phang Nga (Thai พังงา) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. ... Phattalung (Thai พัทลุง) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Phuket redirects here. ... Ranong (Thai ระนอง) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore to the Andaman Sea. ... á Satun (Thai สตูล) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Songkhla (Thai: ) is the one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Surat Thani (often in short Surat, Thai: ) is the largest of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. ... Trang (also Muang Thap Thiang, Thai ตรัง) is the one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the western shore of the Andaman Sea. ... Yala (Thai ยะลา) is the southernmost province (changwat) of Thailand. ... 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. ... Chanthaburi (Thai จันทบุรี) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Chon Buri (Thai ชลบุรี) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Prachin Buri (Thai ปราจีนบุรี) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Rayong province (Thai spelling ระยอง) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Sa Kaeo (Thai สระแก้ว) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Trat (Thai ตราด) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...