Pathum Thani Province
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| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Capital: | Pathum Thani |
| Area: | 1,525.9 km² Ranked 69th |
| Inhabitants: | 853,649 (2006) Ranked 25th |
| Pop. density: | 527 inh./km² Ranked 7th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-13 |
| Governor: | Mekhin Methawikun (since November 2006) |
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Pathum Thani (Thai: ปทุมธานี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Bangkok and Nonthaburi.
The province is located directly north of Bangkok and is part of the Bangkok metropolis. In many parts the boundary between the two provinces is not noticeable anymore, since both sides of the boundary are being equally urbanized. For example, when people mentioned "Rangsit" which, strictly speaking, is a district of Bangkok, they actually mean parts of Pathum Thani as well (the "Rangsit Centre" of Thammasat University is a prominent example, since the campus is actually located in Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani).
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[edit] Geography
The province is located in the low alluvial flats of the Chao Phraya river, which also flows through the capital city. Many canals (khlongs) cross the province and feed the rice paddies.
[edit] History
The city dates back to a settlement founded by Mon migrating from Mothama in Myanmar around 1650. The original name was Sam Khok. In 1815 King Rama II visited the city and the citizens offered him many Lotus flowers, which made the king rename the city to Pathum Thani meaning The City of Lotus.
[edit] Symbols
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The provincial seal shows a pink lotus flower with two rice ears bending over it. Both symbols stand for the fertility of the province.
Provincial tree is the Indian coral tree (Erythrina variegata), provincial flower the Lotus (Nymphaea lotus). |
[edit] Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 7 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 60 communes (tambon) and 529 villages (muban).
[edit] Education and technology
Pathum Thani has a very high concentration of higher education institutions, especially ones in the field of science and technology. From this fact, together with a number of industrial parks and many research agencies (including those in Thailand Science Park) in the province, the province is considered as an "Education and Technology Hub" of its area.
- Academic institutes
- National Science Museum, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok University, Eastern Asia University, Pathumthani University, Rajamangala University of Technology, Rangsit University, Shinawatra University, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, and Thammasat University (Rangsit Center)
- Research bodies
- Thailand Science Park, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), Thai Microelectronics Center (TMEC), Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR)
- Industrial parks
- Software Park Thailand (in Nonthaburi, southwest of Pathum Thani), Nava Nakorn Industrial Promotion Zone (1376 acres / 5.6 km²), Bangkadi Industrial Park (470 acres / 1.9 km²), Techno Thani (a "Technology City" administrated by Ministry of Science and Technology), and a number of industrial parks in neighboring Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces
[edit] External links
- Pathum Thani Administration Office
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Thailand Guidebook: Pathum Thani Province
- Universities and Colleges in Pathum Thani at the Open Directory Project (suggest site)
- Pathumthani provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
