วันเสาร์ที่ 5 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551

Phuket Province


Phuket (Thai: ภูเก็ต, IPA: [pʰu:kɛt]; formerly known as Tha-Laang or Talang) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island there are no land boundaries. The island is served by Phuket International Airport, located in the north of the island.
Etymology
The name Phuket (of which the ph sound is an aspirated p) is apparently derived from the word bukit in Malay which means mountain or hill, as this is what the island appears like from a distance.
Before that its old name was Thalang, derived from the old Malay "Telong" which means "Cape". The northern district of the province, which was the location of the old capital, still uses this name.
History
The most significant event in the history of Phuket was the attack by the Burmese in 1785. Captain Francis Light, a British East India Company captain passing by the island, sent word to the local administration that he had observed Burmese forces preparing to attack. Khunying Jan, the wife of the recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook then assembled what forces they could. After a month-long siege, the Burmese were forced to retreat March 13, 1785. The two women became local heroines, receiving the honorary titles Thao Thep Kasatri and Thao Sri Sunthon from King Rama I. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), Phuket became the administrative center of the tin-producing southern provinces. In 1933 Monthon Phuket was dissolved and Phuket became a province by itself. Old names of the island include Ko Thalang.[clarify]
Economy
Tin mining has been a major source of income for the island since the 16th century. Chinese businessmen and Chinese workers were employed in the mines. Most were Hakka Chinese, and their influence on Phuket culture and cuisine can still be felt today. With falling tin prices, the mining has now all but ceased. Nowadays, Phuket's economy rests on two pillars: rubber tree plantations (making Thailand the biggest producer of rubber in the world) and tourism, with a thriving dive industry attracting thousands of divers each year. Various nightlife activities such as prostitution attract thousands of men and women each year as well. Even though it is illegal the police will look the other way for a fee which is passed on to the clubs and bars.
Since the 1980s the sandy beaches on the western coast of the island have been heavily developed into tourist centers, with Patong, Karon and Kata being the most popular ones. Since the 2004 Tsunami, all damaged buildings and attractions have been restored.

Phang Nga Province

Phang Nga (Thai: พังงา) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ranong, Surat Thani and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket province, but without land boundary to Phang Nga.
Geography
The province is located on the west side of the Malay Peninsula, and includes many islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. The Ao Phang-Nga (Phang-Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many fascinating islands. The Similan Islands, one of Thailand's main diving destinations, are also part of Phang Nga province.
History
In the 18th century there were three cities of comparable status in the area - Takuapa, Takuatung and Phang Nga. The city Phang Nga was probably created in 1809 during the reign of King Rama II, during one of the wars with neighboring Burma. The city Thalang on Phuket island was razed, and the citizens were ordered to relocate to Phang Nga. In order to strengthen the defense in the strategic important area in 1840 Phang Nga became a province, and Takuatung was reduced in status as a district. In 1931 Takuapa was also incorporated into the province.
On December 26, 2004 Phang Nga was one of the places hit hard by a tsunami following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The province was probably the hardest hit in Thailand. Thousands died, including Bhumi Jensen, the grandson of the King of Thailand.
Symbols
The seal shows the Phu Khao Chang mountains in the background, and the City Hall in front. It also shows a dredge to represent the tin mining in the province.
The provincial tree is Cinnamomum porrectum (Hardy Cinnamon), and the provincial flower is Anaxagorea javanica.

Pattani Province

This article is about southern province of Thailand. For other uses, see Pattani (disambiguation).
Pattaniปัตตานี
StatisGeography
Pattani is located on the Malay Peninsula, with the coast of the Gulf of Thailand in the north. In the south mountainous landscape with the Sankalakhiri mountain range, including the Budo - Su-ngai Padi National Park, is located at the border to Yala and Narathiwat, protecting hill forests with rare vegetation such as the Bangsoon palm (Johnnesteijsmannia altifon) and Takathong rattan, as well as birds like the hornbill. Namtok Sai Khao on the border with Songkhla and Yala is a forest park, remarkable for the Sai Khao waterfall.

History
The name Pattani is actually the Thai corruption of Patani, its original name means 'this beach' in Patani Malay language. In standard malay, it is "Pantai Ini".
Historically Pattani Province was the centre of the semi-independent Malay Sultanate of Patani Darul Makrif, but paying tribute to the Thai kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. After Ayutthaya fell in 1767, Sultanate of Patani gained full independence but under King Rama I it again came under Siam's control.
In 1909, it was annexed by Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 negotiated with the British Empire. Both Yala (Jala) and Narathiwat (Menara) were originally part of Pattani, but were split off and became provinces of their own. Satun (Sentul) and Songkhla (Singgora) were nearby states.
There exists a separatist movement in Pattani, which after being dormant for many years erupted again in 2004. Grievances cited include discrimination against Pattani Muslims by Thai Buddhists, including forcible repression of local language and script, police brutality and corruption, as well as religious practices. As such, the revolutionary movement has increasingly taken on Islamic overtones, but remains largely isolated from global Islamic militancy, with the exception of proposed cooperative ties with neighboring Malays.

Demographics
Pattani is one of the four provinces of Thailand where the majority of the population are Malay Muslim,making up 88% of the population. They speak the Patani Malay language. The Pattani Malays are very similar in ethnicity and culture to the Malays of Kelantan, Malaysia.

Symbols
The seal of the province shows the cannon called Phraya Tani, which was cast in the Pattani province. It was brought to Bangkok in 1785, and is now on display in front of the Ministry of Defence in Bangkok.
The provincial flower is the Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), and the provincial tree the Ironwood (Hopea odorata).tics

Pattani (Thai ปัตตานี) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south-east clockwise) Narathiwat, Yala and Songkhla.

Narathiwat Province

Narathiwat (Thai: นราธิวาส) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Yala and Pattani. To the south it borders the Malaysian state of Kelantan.
Geography
The province is located on the shore of the Gulf of Thailand on the Malay Peninsula. The main river of the province is the Bang Nara River, which opens into the Gulf at the town Narathiwat. Nearby the river estuary is the Narathat beach, the most popular beach within the province.
Budo - Su-ngai Padi National Park is located within the Sankalakhiri mountain range. The main attraction within the park is the Pacho Waterfall. The park was established in 1974 and covers a total area of 294 km², including parts of neighboring Yala and Pattani province.[1]

Etymology
The original name of Narathiwat was Menara, means 'tower' in Malay. In Thai this was changed to Bang Nara (บางนรา). It was renamed to Narathiwat by the Thai government in 1915.[2] The name Narathiwat, originating from Sanskrit, means The residence of wise people.

History
Historically Pattani Province was the centre of the semi-independent Malay Sultanate of Patani, but paying tribute to the Thai kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. After Ayutthaya fell in 1767, Sultanate of Patani gained full independence but under King Rama I it again came under Siam's control.
In 1909, it was fully integrated into Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 negotiated with the British Empire. Along with Yala, Narathiwat was originally part of Monthon Pattani. There is a separatist movement in Yala, which after being dormant for many years erupted again in 2004.

Demographics
Narathiwat is one of the four Thai provinces which have a Muslim majority, 82% are Muslim and only 17.9% are Buddhist. Also 80.4% speak the Patani Malay language. The Narathiwat Malays are very similar in ethnicity and culture to the Malays of Kelantan, Malaysia.

Places
The Central Mosque of Narathiwat (also named Yumiya Mosque or Rayo Mosque) is located 1 km outside the town Narathiwat. It was built in 1981 as a three-storied Arabian-style building including a high minaret tower, replacing the old wooden mosque built in 1938.
Within Khao Kong Buddhist Park is the Buddha statue named Phuttha Thaksin Ming Mongkhon, the largest outdoor Buddha image in southern Thailand.
Just outside the city of Narathiwat is Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace, built in 1975 as a summer residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The palace is located on a hill directly at the coast.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows a sailing boat with a white elephant on the sail. The white elephant is a royal symbol of Thailand, and is put on the seal to commemorate the animal called Phra Sri Nararat Rajakarini that was caught here and given to the king.
The provincial symbol is the longkong fruit (Lansium domesticum), the provincial tree is the Chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) and the provincial flower is Odontadenia macrantha.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

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. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Songkhla, Phatthalung, Trang, Krabi and Surat Thani.
The name of the province derives from its Pali-Sanskrit name Nagara Sri Dhammaraja (City of the Sacred Dharma King), or Bandar Sri Raja Dharma in Malay, which in Thai pronunciation becames Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Geography
The province is located on the shore of the Gulf of Thailand on the east side of the Malay Peninsula. The terrain is mostly rugged hilly forest area. It contains the highest elevation of southern Thailand, the Khao Luang with 1,835 m, now protected in the Khao Luang national park.
History
See also: Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom
The area around Nakhon Si Thammarat was part (according to some scholars[attribution needed] even the centre) of the Srivijaya kingdom from the 3rd century. The Ramkhamhaeng stele lists it among the areas within the realm of Sukhothai. After the fall of Sukhothai it fell it its successor, the Ayutthaya kingdom and was one of the tributary kingdoms or 1st class provinces.
With the thesaphiban administrative reforms the kingdom was more closely integrated into the Thai state and formed the Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat. With the abolishment of the monthon system in 1932, the province covering only the central parts of the former kingdom became the top-level administrative subdivision of Thailand.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows the Phra Baromathat Chedi of the Wat Phra Mahathat Voramahavihan, one of the most important historical sites in southern Thailand. According to the city chronicle it was already built in 311, but archaeology dates it to the 13th century. The chedi is surrounded by the animals of the Chinese zodiac in the seal. The twelve animals represent the twelve Naksat cities or city-states which were tributary to the Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom: the mouse of Saiburi; the ox of Pattani; the tiger of Kelantan; the rabbit of Pahang (actually a city in Pahang which is said to be submerged by a lake now); a large snake of Kedah; a small snake of Phatthalung; a horse of Trang; a goat of Chumphon; a monkey of Bantaysamer (might be Chaiya, or a town in Krabi Province); a cock of Sa-ulau (unidentified city, might be Songkhla, Kanchanadit or Pla Tha); a dog of Takua Pa and a pig of Kraburi.
The provincial flower is the Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula), and the provincial tree is Millettia atropurpurea.
The provincial slogan is เมืองประวัติศาสตร์ พระธาตุทองคำ ชื่นฉ่ำธรรมชาติ แร่ธาตุอุดม เครื่องถมสามกษัตริย์ มากวัดมากศิลป์ ครบสิ้นกุ้งปู , which translates to A historical town, the golden Phra That, plentiful minerals, three-metal nielloware, numerous temples, abundant shellfish.

Krabi Province

Krabi (Thai: กระบี่) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore of the Andaman Sea.
Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang. The Phuket province to the west is also neighboring, but without any land boundary. The capital of the region is the city of Krabi.

Geography
The province is located at the shore to the Andaman Sea. Most notable are the solitary limestone hills, both on the land and in the sea as islands. Rock climbers from all over the world travel to Railay Beach to climb. Of about 130 islands belonging to the province, Ko Phi Phi Lee is perhaps the most famous, as it was the set of the movie The Beach. The coast of the province was badly damaged by the tsunami on December 26 2004.
Other islands include: Ko Phi Phi Don, part of the Phi Phi Islands, and Ko Lanta, a larger island to the south.
The limestone hills contain many caves, most having beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Tham Chao Le and Tham Phi Hua To, both in Ao Luek district, contain prehistoric rock-painting depicting humans, animals as well as geometrical shapes. In Lang Rong Rien cave in 1986 archaeologists found 40,000 year old human artifacts - stone tools, pottery as well as bones. It is one of the oldest traces of human occupation in all South-East Asia. The caves of Krabi are also one of the main sources of nests of the Edible-nest Swiftlet, used to create bird's nest soup.

History
The first human remains in the province date back to 25,000 - 35,000 B.C., but the first recorded history dates back to Kingdom of Ligor in 1200, when the city Ban Thai Samor was part of this kingdom. In modern Thailand, Krabi was administered from Nakhon Si Thammarat, even after 1872 when king Chulalongkorn gave Krabi the status of a town. In 1875 it was made a direct subordinate of Bangkok, thus becoming what is now a province. In 1900 the governor moved the center of the province from Ban Talad Kao to its present location at the mouth of the Krabi river.

Symbols
The seal of the province shows two crossed ancient swords (Krabi is also the name of an ancient Siamese sword) in front of the Indian Ocean and the Phanom Bencha mountain, with 1397 m above sea level the highest mountain of the province. The provincial tree is the Thung-Fa (Thai: ทุ้งฟ้า) or Alstonia macrophylla.

Chumphon Province

Chumphon (Thai: ชุมพร) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani and Ranong. To the west it also borders Myanmar.
Geography
Chumphon is located on the Isthmus of Kra, the narrow landbridge connecting the Malay Peninsula with the mainland of Thailand. To the west are the hills of the Phuket mountain range and its northern continuation, the Tenasserim chain, while the east is the more flat land at the coat to the Gulf of Thailand. The main river is the Lang Suan, which originates in Phato district
History
The southern part of the province was originally a separate province named Lang Suan. It was incorporated into Chumphon in 1932.[1]
In November 1989 the typhoon Gay hit the province hard - 529 people were killed, 160,000 became homeless, 7,130 km² of farm land was destroyed. Gay is the only tropical storm on record which reached Thailand with typhoon wind strength.
Etymology
There are two different theories on the origin of the name Chumphon. According to one, it originates from Chumnumporn (lit. accumulation of forces) which derives from the fact that Chumphon was a frontier city to the Burmese. Another theory claims the name derives from a local tree named Maduea Chumphon (มะเดื่อชุมพร, Ficus glomerata), found abundant in the province. This tree is therefore also depicted in the seal of the province.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows an angel, which gives blessing to the people. It is placed between two Cluster Fig trees (Ficus glomerata), which is also the provincial tree. The provincial flower is the Indian shot (Canna indica), and the finger banana is another provincial symbol.