Lopburi Province
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Statistics | |
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Capital: | Lop Buri |
Area: | 6,199.8 km² Ranked 37th |
Inhabitants: | 745,506 (2000) Ranked 30th |
Pop. density: | 120 inh./km² Ranked 38th |
ISO 3166-2: | TH-16 |
Governor: | Suwat Tantiphat (since November 2006) |
Map | |
Lop Buri (Thai ลพบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Nakhon Sawan.
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[edit] Geography
Lop Buri is located on the east side of the Chao Phraya river valley.
[edit] History
Lopburi probably dates back to prehistoric times. During the Dvaravati period (6th to 11th century) it was called Lavo. The Khmer erased the traces of the previous rulers, and built many impressive temples. Lopburi might have liberated itself from the Khmer rulership at least temporarily, as it sent independent embassies to China twice in 1115 and 1155. In 1289 it sent an embassy again, but then soon became associated with the Thai kingdom Sukhothai and later Ayutthaya. King Narai of Ayutthaya made Lop Buri the second capital of the country in middle of the 17th century as Ayutthaya was threatened by the Dutch.
[edit] Symbols
The provincial seal shows Vishnu in front of the Khmer temple Phra Prang Sam Yod.
The provincial tree as well as the provincial flower is the Bullet Wood (Mimusops elengi). |
[edit] Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 11 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 124 communes (tambon) and 1110 villages (muban).