Uthai Thani Province

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Uthai Thani
อุทัยธานี
Statistics
Capital: Uthai Thani
Area: 6,730.2 km²
Ranked 30th
Inhabitants: 304,122 (2000)
Ranked 66th
Pop. density: 45 inh./km²
Ranked 72nd
ISO 3166-2: TH-61
Governor: Udom Phuasakun
(since November 2006)
Map
Map of Thailand highlighting Uthai Thani Province}

Uthai Thani (Thai อุทัยธานี) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and Tak.

Contents

[edit] Geography

The province stretches from the low plains of the Chao Phraya river valley, to mountains covered with forests in the west. The Sakae Krang River, a tributary of the Chao Phraya River is the main river of Uthai Thani province.

The Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary at the western boundary to the province Tak and was declared World Heritage in 1991. It covers 2,574 km², and houses almost all of the forest animals of South-East Asia, including tigers and elephants.

[edit] History

Originally Mon and Lawa settled in the area. A first Thai settlement in the area was Muang U Thai during the Sukhothai period, but was later abandoned when the river changed course. Patabeut, a member of the Karen ethnicity, revived the settlement at its currect place during the Ayutthaya period. It served as a fort protecting the boundary of the kingdom then.

Uthai Thani is most famous as being the hometown of the father of King Rama I. Rama I also renamed the city from its old name Uthai to Uthai Thani.

In 1892 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) added the area of Uthai Thani to the Monthon Nakhon Sawan, and in 1898 formed the province.

[edit] Symbols

Provincial seal The provincial seal depicts the pavilion at Wat Khao Sakaekrang. It houses the statue of Thongdee, the father of King Rama I. The mountain in the background symbolizes the location of the pavilion on top of a hill.

Provincial flower is the Yellow Cotton Tree (Cochlospermum regium), provincial tree is Neem (Azadirachta indica v. siamensis).

The flag of Uthai Thani depicts the provincial seal of Uthai Thani in the middle. The yellow color in the top of the flag is the symbol color of the Chakri dynasty, as Gold as a precious metal is a symbol for the Thai monarchy. The green color in bottom is the symbol color of King Rama I as he was born on a Wednesday, which is associated with green in the Thai calendar. The text below the seal says Uthai Thani province.

[edit] Administrative divisions

Map of Amphoe

The province is subdivided in 8 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 70 communes (tambon) and 589 villages (muban).

  1. Mueang Uthai Thani
  2. Thap Than
  3. Sawang Arom
  4. Nong Chang
  1. Nong Khayang
  2. Ban Rai
  3. Lan Sak
  4. Huai Khot

[edit] External links

Provinces of Thailand Flag 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 | Chon Buri | Prachin Buri | Rayong | Sa Kaeo | Trat