Provinces of Thailand

[3] The country is divided into 76 provinces (Thai: จังหวัด, RTGS: changwat, pronounced [tɕāŋ.wàt]) proper, with one additional special administrative area (the capital, Bangkok).

The council acts as an advisory and auditing body to the governor (ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด phu wa ratchakan changwat), who is appointed by the central government.

The PAO as well as other municipalities form part of the local self-governing government (ราชการส่วนท้องถิ่น ratchakan suan thongthin).

Bangkok, the sole special administrative area, combines the tasks of the provinces with that of a municipality, including having an elected governor.

Additionally tributary states like the principalities of Lan Na, the Laotian kingdoms of Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Cambodia, or the Malay sultanate Kedah were also part of the country, but with more autonomy than the provinces.

If a governor became too dominant in a region former satellite cities were elevated to provincial status, as was the case with Maha Sarakham province.

Reforms of the provincial administration started in the 1870s under increased pressure from the colonial states of the United Kingdom and France.

Prince Damrong Rajanubhab became minister of the Ministry of the North (Mahatthai), originally responsible for the northern administration.

When the Ministry of the South (Kalahom) was dissolved in 1894, Prince Damrong became Minister of the Interior, responsible for the provincial administration of the whole country.

Starting in 1893 the already existing commissionaireships in some parts of the country were renamed "superintendent commissioner" (khaluang Thesaphiban), and their area of responsibility was called a monthon.

In some regions rebellions broke out against the new administrative system, usually induced by the local nobility fearing their loss of power.

[10] When Prince Damrong resigned in 1915, the whole country was divided into 19 monthon (including the area around Bangkok, which was under the responsibility of another ministry until 1922), with 72 provinces.

In December 1915 King Vajiravudh announced the creation of regions (phak), each administered by a viceroy (upparat), to cover several monthon.

Also the occupied area from French Indochina was organized into four provinces: Phra Tabong, Phibunsongkhram, Nakhon Champasak and Lan Chang.

A clickable map of Thailand exhibiting its provinces Chiang Rai province Chiang Mai province Mae Hong Son province Phayao province Lampang province Phrae province Lamphun province Nan province Uttaradit province Bueng Kan province Nong Khai province Udon Thani province Nakhon Phanom province Sakon Nakhon province Kalasin province Mukdahan province Loei province Khon Kaen province Nong Bua Lamphu province Tak province Sukhothai province Phitsanulok province Phichit province Uthai Thani province Kamphaeng Phet province Nakhon Sawan province Phetchabun province Chaiyaphum province Maha Sarakham province Roi Et province Yasothon province Amnat Charoen province Ubon Ratchathani province Sisaket province Surin province Buriram province Nakhon Ratchasima province Lopburi province Chainat province Singburi province Kanchanaburi province Suphan Buri province Ang Thong province Saraburi province Ayutthaya province Nakhon Nayok province Prachin Buri province Pathum Thani province Nakhon Pathom province Ratchaburi province Sa Kaew province Chachoengsao province Chonburi province Rayong province Chanthaburi province Trat province Phetchaburi province Prachuap Khiri Khan province Chumphon province Ranong province Surat Thani province Phang Nga province Phuket province Krabi province Nakhon Si Thammarat province Trang province Phatthalung province Satun province Songkhla province Pattani province Yala province Narathiwat province Samut Prakan province Bangkok Nonthaburi province Samut Sakhon province Samut Songkhram province
A clickable map of Thailand exhibiting its provinces
Map of Siam in 1900
Cities and Monthons in 1900 [ 11 ]
Provinces of Siam (Thailand) in 1871
Provinces of Siam (Thailand) in 1871