Provinces

Chulalongkorn, Father of Modern Thailand

Changwat (Thai: จังหวัด) or provinces is the first level of administration, the highest level, of Thailand. Thailand is separated into 76 provinces, though commonly mistaken as 77 provinces due to Bangkok's former status as a province itself. This is the highest level of administrative division within the kingdom. Each of the provinces are led by governor. The changwat is responsible for implementing state policy and enforcing laws.^[5]

History

Ayutthaya Kingdom

Main article: Ayutthaya Kingdom

Most provinces date back to the time of subservient city-states, chiefdoms, and even vassal kingdoms. The polity was called muangs, not to be confused with modern muangs which means cities, which had their own satellite muangs. ^[6]Traditionally ruled by a local ruling family, these muangs had a high level of autonomy. The highest king of these muangs, phaya or khun luang,^[7] though the titles changes over history, ruled these muangs through a system of tributes. The king did not have much control over these muangs which lead to uprisings and rebellions. During the war, these muangs often switched sides which leads to the downfall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

The provinces were separated into two classes and four different levels.^[8]

Ayutthaya's Administration Division

Levels	First	Second	Third	Forth
Central	Wiang (เวียง)	Wang (วัง)	Khlang (คลัง)	Na (นา)
Vassal	Muang Luk Luang (เมืองลูกหลวง)	Inner Hua Muang (หัวเมืองชั้นใน)	Outer Hua Muang (หัวเมืองชั้นนอก)	Muang Prathetsarat (เมืองประเทศราช)

Rattanakosin Kingdom

Main article: Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)

Administrative divisions during the Rattanakosin Kingdom

During this era, nothing changed much at the beginning. But when the western colonial powers started to eye the region, The Siamese government took to reform their administrative division into a form that much resembles the modern structure. In 1882, much of the current political geography of Siam had changed drastically. Rama V, who had been ramping up the reformation of Siam, had devised a plan to divide Siam into several levels of administration. During this era, the province wasn't the highest level of division. This falls to the monthon and the vassal kingdoms. At the time, Siam was a minor power, controlling several minor kingdoms on their frontiers with the major colonial powers. By, 1892, much of the divisions had already been formed, though this is far from modern Thailand's divisional structure, and by 1900 most of the territory gained during the rule of Rama III were lost to France and Britain.^[9]

In 1908, a new division called boriwen was introduced, though later abolished due to its overlapping duties with other local governments, and the bureaucratic costs to maintain the divisions.^[10]

In 1932, there were major reforms all over the kingdom, monthon was abolished, provinces merged, and several other divisions dissolved into higher divisions to cut costs. The former provinces that were lost are merged into other provinces or ceded to western powers.

During the 20th century, a massive reform occurred gradually over the century, which saw the formation of several provinces through partitions. The newest province is Bueng Kan which split from Nong Khai on 23 March 2011.^[11]

Former Provinces of Thailand

The former of provinces are administrative divisions which were either ceded, partitioned, or merged with the neighbouring territories. Over the course of history, the definition of provinces may change, thus the provinces listed under here are definitive provinces, or provinces which are created according to decrees. Furthermore, the list also includes provinces which were created during the mandala system era. These mandala provinces are defined as cities which controlled the surrounding cities, which in itself has subservient townships and villages. Examples of definite province include the province of Minburi,^[12] which was created through a decree passed by Rama V. Examples of mandala provinces include the province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Though Nakhon Ratchasima may be classified as a definite province these days, back in the days of King Rama I, Nakhon Ratchasima was the very definition of a mandala province. For example, the city of Nakhon Ratchasima oversaw the city of Si Phum, which inturn oversaw the city of Kalasin, which inturn oversaw the neighbouring townships and villages' affairs. ^[13]What is not listed here are muang prathetsarat. These polities are not provinces by any definition, but are vassal states. Though, some may be in the grey area, by which treads the line between full provincialship and vassalage. For example, the Principality of Thoen.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18][19]}

Core Provinces

Provinces (Thai Name)	Original Names or Native Names	Made Province in	Fate	Today Part of
Bang Lamung บางละมุง	บ้านนาเกลือ Ban Na Kleua	before 1770s	merged with Bang Pla Soi	Chonburi  Thailand
Bang Pla Soi	บางปลาสร้อย	before 1770s	merged with Bang Lamung and Phanat Nikhom to form Chonburi	Chonburi  Thailand
Chaibadan	ชัยบาดาล	before 1770s	merged into Wichianburi	Phetchabun  Thailand
Chiaya ไชยา	ครหิ Khri	1820s	merged into Kanchanadit	Surat Thani  Thailand
Inburi	อินทร์บุรี	before 1770s	merged into Singburi	Singburi  Thailand
Kabinburi กะบิ่นบุรี (กระบินทร์บุรี)	ด่านหนุมาน Dan Nu Man	1901	merged with Prachinburi	Prachinburi and Sa Kaeo  Thailand
Khirirat Nikhom คีรีรัฐนิคม	ท่าขนอน Tha Khanon	1820s	merged into Kanchanadit	Surat Thani  Thailand
Kraburi กระบุรี	ตระ Tra	1870s	merged into Ranong	Ranong  Thailand
Lang Suan หลังสวน	คลังสวน Klang Suan	1870s	merged into Chumphon	Chumphon  Thailand
Lom Sak หล่มสัก	วัดป่า Wat Pa	1767	partitioned between Phetchabun and Loei	Phetchabun and Loei  Thailand
Manorom	มโนรมย์	before 1770s	merged into Chai Nat	Chai Nat  Thailand
Min Buri มีนบุรี	ท้องนากว้างใหญ่ Thongna Kwangyai	1901	merged into Phra Nakhon	Bangkok  Thailand
Nakhon Chai Si	นครชัยศรี	1570s	capital moved to Nakhon Pathom	Nakhon Pathom  Thailand
Nakhon Khuan Khan	นครเขื่อนขันธ์	1819	renamed Phra Pradaeng	Bangkok and Samut Prakan  Thailand
Phanat Nikhom พนัสนิคม	พระรถ Phra Rot	before 1770s	merged with Bang Pla Soi	Chonburi  Thailand
Phanom Sarakham พนมสารคาม	ดงยาง Dong Yang	before 1770s	merged into Chachoengsao	Chachoengsao  Thailand
Phayu Ha Khiri พยุหะคีรี	บ้านพยุแดน Ban Phayu Daen	before 1770s	merged into Nakhon Sawan	Nakhon Sawan  Thailand
Phichai	พิชัย	before 1770s	capital moved to Uttaradit	Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, and Loei  Thailand, Sainyaburi and Vientiane  Laos
Phra Nakhon พระนคร	บางกอก Bang Kok	1782	merged with Thonburi to form Bangkok	Bangkok  Thailand
Phromburi พรหมบุรี	พรหมนคร Phrom Nakhon	before 1770s	merged into Singburi	Singburi  Thailand
Pra Pradaeng พระประแดง	นครเขื่อนขันธ์ Nakhon Kheuan Khan	1915	merged with Samut Prakan, partitioned from Pra Nakhon and Samut Prakan, merged between Samut Prakan and Thonburi	Samut Prakan and Bangkok  Thailand
Sangkhaburi สรรคบุรี	ไตรตรึงส์ Trai Treung	before 1770s	merged into Chai Nat	Chai Nat  Thailand
Sawankhalok	สวรรคโลก	1894	merge with Sukhothai to form Sawankhalok, later changing the name to Sukhothai	Sukhothai  Thailand
Si Thep ศรีเทพ	อภัยสาลี Aphai Sali	before 1770s	capital moved to Wichianburi	Phetchabun  Thailand
Takua Pa ตะกั่วป่า	ตะโกลา Taloka	1870s	merged into Pang Nga	Pang Nga  Thailand
Takua Thung ตะกั่วทุ่ง	กราภูงา Kra Phunga	1820s	merged into Pang Nga	Pang Nga  Thailand
Thalang	ถลาง	1820s	destroyed during the Burmese–Siamese War (1809–1812)	Phuket  Thailand
Thanyaburi ธัญบุรี	รังสิต Rangsit	1901	merged into Pathum Thani	Pathum Thani  Thailand
Thonburi Si Mahasamut ธนบุรีศรีมหาสมุทร	บางกอก Bang Kok	1767	merged with Phra Nakhon to form Bangkok	Bangkok  Thailand
Wichianburi วิเชียรบุรี	ท่าโรง Tha Rong	1830s	merged into Phetchabun	Phetchabun  Thailand

Lanna Frontier

Provinces (Thai Name)	Native Names (Local/Original Names)	Made Province in	Fate	Today Part of
Chiang Khaeng เชียงแขง	ဝဵင်းၵဵင်းၸဵင် Weng Keng Cheng	1892	partitioned between France and Britain	Shan State  Myanmar, Luang Namtha and Bokeo  Laos
Saharat Thai Doem	สหรัฐไทยเดิม	1943	ceded to Britain	Shan State  Myanmar
Uthai (Lan Chang) อุทัย (ล้านช้าง)	ປາກລາຍ Paklay	1940	ceded to France	Sainyabuli and Luang Prabang  Laos

Lan Chang Frontier

Provinces (Thai Name)	Native Names (Local/Original Names)	Made Province in	Fate	Today Part of
Attapue อัตตะปือ	ອັດກະປື Atkapu	1778	ceded to France	Attapeu  Laos, Kon Tum and Gia Lai  Vietnam
Borikhan Nikhom บริคัณฑ์นิคม	ປະຊຸມພະນາລັຍ Paxoumphanalai	1830	ceded to France	Bolikhamxai  Laos
Chaiburi ไชยบุรี	ປາກນ້ຳສົງຄາມ Paknam Songkham	1830	merged with Nong Khai	Bueng Kan  Thailand
Chiang Khouang เชียงขวาง	ພວນ Phouan	1828	ceded to France	Xiangkhouang  Laos
Chonnabot ชนบท	ຫນອງແກ້ວ Nongkeo (ບຶງແກ້ວ) (Bungkeo)	1792	partitioned between Chaiyaphum and Khon Kaen	Chaiyaphum and Khon Kaen  Thailand
Det Udom เดชอุดม	ປາກໂດມ Pakdom (ໂດມໃຫຍ່) (Domnyai)	1845	merged into Sisaket	Ubon Ratchathani  Thailand
Kamalasai กมลาสัย	ສະປົວດົງມະຂາມເກົ່າ Sapouadongmakhamkao	1840	partitioned between Kalasin and Roi Et	Kalasin and Roi Et  Thailand
Kham Kert คำเกิด	ຄຳເກີດ Khamkeut	1839	ceded to France	Khammouane  Laos
Kham Muan คำม่วน	ຄຳມ່ວນ Khammouan	1839	ceded to France	Khammouane  Laos
Kham Thong Luang คำทองหลวง	ແກ້ງອາເຣີມ Kengareum	1828	ceded to France	Stung Teng  Cambodia
Khemmarat เขมราฐ (เขมราฐธานี)	ໂຄກກົ່ງດົງພະນຽງ Khokkongdongphaniang	1814	partitioned between Siam and France, merged into Ubon Ratchathani	Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon  Thailand, Savannakhet  Laos
Khon San คอนสาร	ຄອນສານ Khonsan	1787	partitioned between Chaiyaphum and Khon Kaen	Chaiyaphum and Khon Kaen  Thailand
Khukhan ขุขันธ์ (คุขันธ์)	ປາສາດສີ່ຫຼ່ຽມ Pasat Siliam	1759	partitioned between Siam and France, merged into Sisaket	Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket  Thailand, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear  Cambodia
Nakhon Champassak นครจัมปาศักดิ์	ເມືອງຄັນເດີງ Muang Khandeung	1941	concession to France, allowing the Kingdom of Thailand to join the United Nation, passing the French veto.	Preah Vihear and Stung Teng  Cambodia, Champasak  Laos
Nang Rong นางรอง	ນະຮອງ Nahong	1820s	merged into Buriram	Buriram  Thailand
Nong นอง	ນອງ Nong	1825	merged with Mukdahan	Savannakhet  Laos
Nong Han หนองหาร (หนองละหาร)	ຫນອງຫານນ້ອຍ Nonghannoy	1787	merged with Nong Khai	Nong Khai  Thailand
Phon Phisai โพนพิสัย	ໂພນແພງ Phonpheng	1830	merged with Nong Khai	Nong Khai and Bueng Kan  Thailand
Phu Khiao	ภูเขียว	1810s	merged into Chaiyaphum	Chaiyaphum  Thailand
Phu Len Chang ภูแล่นช้าง	ພູແດນຊ້າງ Phoudenxang	1840	merged into Kalasin	Kalasin  Thailand
Phutthaisong พุทไธสง	ຫມາກເຟືອງຫົວແຮດ Makfuang Houahet	1820s	merged into Buriram	Buriram  Thailand
Pra Khon Chai ประโคนชัย (ตะลุง)	ຕະລຸມດອ Taloumdo	1820s	merged into Buriram	Buriram  Thailand
Rattanaburi รัตนบุรี	เมืองศรีนครเตา Muang Si Nakhon Tao	1820s	merged into Buriram	Surin  Thailand
Salawan สาละวัน	ເມືອງມັ່ນ Muangman	1828	ceded to France	Salavan and Sekong  Laos
Sangkha สังขะ (สังฆะ)	ໂຄກອັຈຈະ Khokachcha	1759	partitioned between Siam and France, merged into Surin	Surin  Thailand, Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap  Cambodia
Suwannaphum สุวรรณภูมิ	ສີພູມ Siphum	1772	partitioned between Maha Sarakham and Roi Et	Maha Sarakham and Roi Et  Thailand
Tha Uthen ท่าอุเทน	ທ່າບຶງອຸ Thabungou	1830	merged with Nakhon Phanom	Nakhon Phanom  Thailand
Wang วัง	ວັງ Vang	1830	merged with Mukdahan	Savannakhet  Laos

Khmer Frontier

Provinces (Thai Name)	Native Names (Local/Original Names)	Made Province in	Fate	Today Part of
Chiang Taeng เชียงแตง	ស្ទឹងត្រែង Stoengtrang	1784	ceded to France	Kratié, Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondulkiri  Cambodia, Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông and Gia Lai  Vietnam
Khlung	ขลุง	1820s	partitioned between Chanthaburi and Trat	Chanthaburi and Trat  Thailand
Phanom Sok พนมสก	ភ្នំស្រុក Phnomsrok	1835	ceded to France	Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, and Oddar Meanchey  Cambodia
Phibunsongkhram	พิบูลสงคราม	1941	concession to France, allowing the Kingdom of Thailand to join the United Nation, passing the French veto.	Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear  Cambodia
Phra Tabong พระตะบอง	បាត់ដំបង Badthumbang	1795	ceded to France	Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Pailin, and Battambang  Cambodia
Phra Tabong พระตะบอง	បាត់ដំបង Badthumbang	1941	concession to France, allowing the Kingdom of Thailand to join the United Nation, passing the French veto.	Battambang  Cambodia
Prachan Khiri Khet ประจันตคีรีเขตร	ខេមរភូមិន្ទ Khemaraphoumin	1855	partitioned between Siam and France, merged into Trat	Koh Kong  Cambodia
Saen Pang แสนปาง	សៀមប៉ាង Siempang	1798	ceded to France	Kratié, Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondulkiri  Cambodia
Siemmarat เสียมราฐ	សៀមរាប Siemreab	1835	ceded to France	Siem Reap  Cambodia
Sisophon ศรีโสภณ	សិរីសោភ័ណ Serisaophoan	1835	ceded to France	Banteay Meanchey  Cambodia
Sitandon สี่ตันดอน	ເມືອງໂຂງ Muang Khong	1828	ceded to France	Stung Teng  Cambodia

Malay Frontier

Provinces (Thai Name)	Native Names (Local/Original Names)	Made Province in	Fate	Today Part of
Kalantan กลันตัน	Klate	1900	partitioned between Siam and Britain, merged with Narathiwat, regained and ceded to Britain again	Narathiwat  Thailand, Kelantan  Malaysia
Nong Chik หนองจิก	Tujong (Tawar/Nuachi)	1900	merged into Pattani	Pattani  Thailand
Palien ปะเหลียน	Palanda (Tanjong Sala)	1900	merged into Kantang	Trang  Thailand
Palit ปะลิส	Perlis	1900	ceded to Britain, regained and ceded to Britain again	Perlis  Malaysia
Ra'Ngae ระแงะ	Tanjong Mas	1900	partitioned between Siam and Britain, merged into Narathiwat	Narathiwat  Thailand, Kelantan  Malaysia
Raman รามัน	Reman	1900	partitioned between Siam and Britain, merged into Yala	Yala  Thailand, Perak  Malaysia
Sai Buri สายบุรี	Selindungbayu-Semalanbulan-Matanduwah	1900	partitioned between Pattani and Narathiwat	Chumphon  Thailand
Syburi ไทรบุรี	Kedah	1900	ceded to Britain, regained and ceded to Britain again	Kedah  Malaysia
Trangkanu ตรังกานู	Tranung	1900	ceded to Britain, regained and ceded to Britain again	Terengganu  Malaysia
Yaring ยะหริ่ง	Jaring	1900	merged into Pattani	Pattani  Thailand

• these provinces were formed in different periods but lost during 19th and 20th century

Current Provinces

Seal	Name[20]	จังหวัด	Made Province in
	Amnat Charoen	อำนาจเจริญ
	Ang Thong	อ่างทอง
	Bangkok (special administrative area)	กรุงเทพมหานคร
	Bueng Kan	บึงกาฬ
	Buriram	บุรีรัมย์	1775
	Chachoengsao	ฉะเชิงเทรา
	Chai Nat	ชัยนาท
	Chaiyaphum	ชัยภูมิ
	Chanthaburi	จันทบุรี
	Chiang Mai	เชียงใหม่
	Chiang Rai	เชียงราย
	Chonburi	ชลบุรี
	Chumphon	ชุมพร
	Kalasin	กาฬสินธุ์	1791
	Kamphaeng Phet	กำแพงเพชร
	Kanchanaburi	กาญจนบุรี
	Khon Kaen	ขอนแก่น	1797
	Krabi	กระบี่
	Lampang	ลำปาง
	Lamphun	ลำพูน
	Loei	เลย
	Lopburi	ลพบุรี
	Mae Hong Son	แม่ฮ่องสอน
	Maha Sarakham	มหาสารคาม	1865
	Mukdahan	มุกดาหาร	1770
	Nakhon Nayok	นครนายก
	Nakhon Pathom	นครปฐม
	Nakhon Phanom	นครพนม	1796
	Nakhon Ratchasima	นครราชสีมา	1768
	Nakhon Sawan	นครสวรรค์
	Nakhon Si Thammarat	นครศรีธรรมราช
	Nan	น่าน
	Narathiwat	นราธิวาส
	Nong Bua Lamphu	หนองบัวลำภู
	Nong Khai	หนองคาย	1827
	Nonthaburi	นนทบุรี
	Pathum Thani	ปทุมธานี
	Pattani	ปัตตานี
	Phang Nga	พังงา
	Phatthalung	พัทลุง
	Phayao	พะเยา
	Phetchabun	เพชรบูรณ์
	Phetchaburi	เพชรบุรี
	Phichit	พิจิตร
	Phitsanulok	พิษณุโลก
	Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	แพร่
	Phrae	พระนครศรีอยุธยา
	Phuket	ภูเก็ต
	Prachinburi	ปราจีนบุรี
	Prachuap Khiri Khan	ประจวบคีรีขันธ์
	Ranong	ระนอง
	Ratchaburi	ราชบุรี
	Rayong	ระยอง
	Roi Et	ร้อยเอ็ด	1775
	Sa Kaeo	สระแก้ว
	Sakon Nakhon	สกลนคร (สกลนครทวาป๊)	1826
	Samut Prakan	สมุทรปราการ
	Samut Sakhon	สมุทรสาคร
	Samut Songkhram	สมุทรสงคราม
	Saraburi	สระบุรี
	Satun	สตูล
	Sing Buri	สิงห์บุรี
	Sisaket	ศรีสะเกษ	1782
	Songkhla	สงขลา
	Sukhothai	สุโขทัย
	Suphan Buri	สุพรรณบุรี
	Surat Thani	สุราษฎร์ธานี
	Surin	สุรินทร์	1759
	Tak	ตาก
	Thonburi	ธนบุรี
	Trang	ตรัง
	Trat	ตราด
	Ubon Ratchathani	อุบลราชธานี (อุบลราชธานีศรีวนาลัย)	1791
	Udon Thani	อุดรธานี
	Uthai Thani	อุทัยธานี
	Uttaradit	อุตรดิตถ์
	Yala	ยะลา
	Yasothon	ยโสธร (ยศสุนทร)	1814
	Total	ยอดรวม

Amphoe (Districts)

Kanchanadit District Office

Amphoe (Thai: อำเภอ) or districts are the second level of administration. There are 878 amphoe throughout Thailand. They are led by a Nai Amphoe (Thai: นายอำเภอ) or district chief who is appointed by the central government. These districts vary greatly in size and population. Amphoe mueang )Thai: อำเภอเมือง) are a term for amphoe that serve as or contain the capital of the province. Within these amphoe, there is either a thesaban nakhon or a thesaban mueang. Amphoe are responsible for general administrative work, clerical work and archives, and the public relations operations of the district. Furthermore, they are responsible for operations related to receptions, ceremonies, government ceremonies, religious ceremonies and various traditional events, operations of the Thai Red Cross Society and other charitable activities.^[21]

Tambon (sub-districts)

Tambon Near Tambon Palien

Tambon (Thai: ตำบล) or sub-districts are the third-level of administration. There are 7,255 tambon in Thailand. Tambon are responsible for the economic, societal, and cultural development of the area, organizing public services for the benefit of the people of their own locality.^[23] In addition, under the 2001-2006 Thaksin Shinawatra government, the OTOP (One Tambon One Product) program was launched, aiming to promote and recognize unique traditions, cultures, and products from every tambon.^[24]

Muban (villages)

Muban (Thai: หมู่บ้าน) or Villages are the fourth-level of administration in Thailand. There are 74,944 muban^[25] in Thailand. A muban is led by a phuyaiban (Thai: ผู้ใหญ่บ้าน), who is chosen through local elections. All elected phuyaiban must be approved by the central government. Once in office, they can serve for a 5-year term with no limits on re-election. In cities, the term chumchon (Thai: ชุมชน) is used, although this is an unofficial title and is unrelated to the central government.

Ordinary local administrative divisions

Special local administrative divisions

There are two special administrative regions within Thailand: Bangkok and Pattaya. The SAR is an autonomous region governed separately from the central government. The mayor of the SARs is elected directly by the citizen of their respective SARs. The SAR category is an exclusive administration category where the central government had to have a bill passed exclusively to make a city a SAR. Note that the degree of autonomy is different between these two SARs. Bangkok is recognized as its own polity while Pattaya is under the administration of Chonburi province. Bangkok has its own khaet-khwang system and Pattaya uses the tambon-muban system. This makes Pattaya closer to a thesaban nakhon than a SAR, still, it is classified as a SAR.

Nakhon Suvarnabhumi SAR

Currently, there are plans to make Chiang Mai and Mae Sot a special local administrative area.^[27] Though the plans for Chiang Mai is controversial due to the extreme centralization of the government. Especially within the parliament, conservatives called it separatism. A recent bill passed in 2005 and withdrawn in 2007 proposed a new province, Nakhon Suvarnabhumi, and was planned to be structured as a special local administrative area. As a result of a coup, the project was cancelled and withdrawn.

Khet and Khwang (special districts and sub-districts)

Districts and Sub-districts of Bangkok

Only used in Bangkok, the khet-khwang system acts similarly to the amphoe-tambon system, with the Bangkok government (not to be confused with the central Thai government) appointing the directors of these districts. There are 50 khet and 180 khwang within Bangkok.

Krungthepmahanakhon lae Parimonthon (Bangkok Metropolitan Region)

Bangkok Metropolitan Area's Municipalities

Thailand Regions

This map depicts the Region of Promthep in 1837, with the partition occurring in the 1840s.

Bangkok Metropolitan Region (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานครและปริมณฑล) refers to the surrounding provinces of Bangkok SAR. This division is used to refer to the whole Bangkok and its suburb. Since Bangkok has outgrown its own SAR borders, neighboring provinces’ city is being absorbed into the Bangkok metropolis, though retaining their respective local government. The polity is defined as Bangkok and the five surrounding provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon. This definition of Bangkok is commonly used in radio, news, and everyday life when people refer to Bangkok.^[28]

Phak (region)

Phak (Thai: ภาค) refers to the grouping of multiple provinces with regard to history, culture, and geography. There are ten types of phak divisions: 6-regions, 5-4-regions, meteorological, tourism, economic, highway, landlines, postal, electoral, and scouts. In everyday life, one would expect to be using the 4-regions system due to its simplicity and wide understanding of this system.

The four regions system is composed of:

• North
• Isan
• Central
• South

The northern region closely resembles the former Kingdom of Lanna. This kingdom was split into five minor kingdoms in the 1800s and fully absorbed into Siam. Owing to their cultural differences, people from the central plains discriminate against the people of the frontiers regions of Siam. This ingrained the division between us and them within the Siamese psyche.

The Isan region resembles the old territory annexed from the Kingdom of Vientiane and Champassak. The southern region resembles the former territories of the Malay sultanates and the Kingdom of Nakhon Si Thammarat.^[29]

Unorganized Administrative Region

During the reign of Rama III, there was a massive settlement effort, in which many city and town were created during this time. This caused a "great reshuffling" of the provinces' territory. This ended up leading to the creation of the unorganized region of Promthep. This region was the result of the breaking up of the Kingdom of Cambodia's northern region and annexing it as a part of Siam. Later, this region was partitioned and merged into the Kingdom of Champassak, Kingdom of Cambodia, Khukhan and Siemmarat.

Monthon

Monthon of 1900

Monthon (Thai: มณฑล) were administrative subdivisions of Thailand at the beginning of the 20th century. The Thai word monthon is a translation of the word mandala (maṇḍala, literally "circle"). The monthon were created as a part of the Thesaphiban^[32] (เทศาภิบาล, literally "local government") bureaucratic administrative system, introduced by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab which, together with the monthon, established step-by-step today's present provinces (changwat), districts (amphoe), and communes (tambon) throughout Thailand. Each monthon was led by a royal commissioner called Thesaphiban (เทศาภิบาล), later renamed to Samuhathesaphiban (สมุหเทศาภิบาล). The system was officially adopted by the 1897 Local Administration Act.^[33]

In 1915 there were 19 monthons containing 72 provinces. Due to economic problems, several monthon were merged in 1925. Monthon Phetchabun had been dissolved in 1915. Only 14 monthon remained: Ayutthaya, Bangkok (Krung Thep), Chanthaburi, Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Phayap, Phitsanulok, Phuket, Prachinburi, Ratchaburi, and Udon Thani. In 1932 another four were abolished: Chanthaburi, Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Sawan, and Pattani. Finally in 1933 the whole monthon system was abolished by the Provincial Administration Act 2476 B.E./A.D. 1933, part of the changes made after the coup d'état, which changed from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy.

Boriwen Map

• Monthon Lao Chiang is the same as Monthon Phayap, to ease understanding in this table but in all cases, they are the same.
• Monthon Lao Kao which became Monthon Isan, and Monthon Lao Phuan which became Monthon Udon.
• The use of the name is up to interpretation and use on case-by-case basis, but name changes occurs due to Rama V integration policy of minorities and achieving assimilation.
• Province merger not shown, only monthon partition and merger are

Boriwen

Boriwen (Thai: บริเวณ) was created due to the size of the three largest monthon hence a subdivision of monthons. Several provinces were grouped together into one boriwen. In 1908 the boriwen were renamed to changwat, which became the name of provinces in 1916. The monthon with between three and five boriwen were Phayap, Udon Thani and Isan. Each boriwen was administered by a commissioner (khaluang boriwen, ข้าหลวงบริเวณ).

Sukhaphiban

Sukhaphiban (Thai: สุขาภิบาล) were administrative divisions of Thailand. Sukhaphiban were the first sub-autonomous entities established in Thailand. A first such district was created in Bangkok by a royal decree of King Chulalongkorn in 1897. Tha Chalom District became the second such district, created in 1906 and responsible for parts of Mueang Samut Sakhon District, Samut Sakhon Province.

In 1907 the act on operations of sanitary districts codified the regulations, and with the Local Administration Act of 1914 two levels of sukhaphiban were introduced, the sukhaphiban mueang for towns and sukhaphiban tambon for rural areas.

The number of sanitary districts grew to 35 in 1935, when these however were converted into municipalities (thesaban). New sanitary district were again established starting in 1952 by prime minister Phibun Songkhram. With the Act to Upgrade Sanitary Districts to Thesaban of May 1999 they were again abolished, and all became thesaban tambon.^[34]

Muang Prathetsarat

The maximum extent of the Kingdom of Rattanakosin's sphere of influence

Vassal states (Thai: เมืองประเทศราช) existed within Thailand for centuries since the founding of Sukhothai. Though not directly part of the country or even arguably an administrative division. Nonetheless, these states deserve a mention which is due to the fact that they are an entity within a certain polity.

Describing past vassals of Thailand requires the understanding of the mandala system. The mandala system is a largely diffused and dispersed power structure. This means that a vassal is largely independent to the central state, with the vassal also retaining sub-servient city-state-vassals. To explain this power structure, imagine if the United States is the central state, and Washington DC is the central state with 50 surrounding vassal states giving tributes to the central state and having open borders within these polities. These state-vassals also have subservient counties with autonomy in their internal affairs with these counties having their own autonomous sub-divisions. Thus, creating a pyramid of subservient cities and polities. It is not the current political structure of the United States due to the fact that the individual states could not just declare independence, which these vassal could, and had more autonomy from the central state. If the vassal states were to declare independence, it would incur the wrath of the central state. In history this was seen even when the Kingdom of Vientiane, a vassal, rebelled and lost which then was dissolved and absorbed into the central state.

The relationships between Thailand and its vassal varies over the centuries. It could be as amicable and the relationship that of the Kingdom of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Compared with the less amicable, aforementioned, Kingdom of Vientiane, which started a rebellion in 1826 under King Anouvong (Xaiya Setthathirath V). The last vassal state to be subservient to Thailand was the Malay states, which was subsequently dissolved, ceded, and merged into provinces and British Malaya in 1909, and the Kingdom of Champassak, which was downgraded into a province.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18][19]}

Vassal States and Dependencies			เมืองประเทศราช			Period Under Suzerainty			Today Part of			Fate
Kingdom of Hanthawaddy			อาณาจักรหงสาวดี			1287–1298 1307–1317 1330			Myanmar			Gained independence due to the declining influence of the Kingdom of Sukhothai
Kingdom of Sukhothai			อาณาจักรสุโขทัย			1378–1438			Thailand			One of the first Thai states to form in the post-classical era, formed by King Si Inthrathit. Later, the Sukhothai Kingdom was overtaken by both military and cultural influences by the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The Sukhothai Kingdom became a vassal of Ayutthaya in 1378 and was fully integrated into the Kingdom of Ayutthaya in 1438. Later, a branch of the old royal family of Sukhothai gained influence in the royal court of Ayutthaya and established the Sukhothai Dynasty within the Ayutthayan court with King Maha Thammarachathirat being the founder.
Kingdom of Cambodia			อาณาจักรกัมพูชา			1594–1831 1845–1863			Cambodia			During the First Siamese-Ngyuen Dynasty War, Cambodia was invaded by Vietnamese forces, which then led to the subsequent transfer of Cambodia to Vietnam. Later during the Second Siamese-Ngyuen Dynasty War, both Siam and Nguyễn Dynasty came to a compromise with Cambodia coming under joint suzerainty. Cambodia was then transferred to the French Third Republic.
Kingdom of Nakhon Si Thammarat			อาณาจักรนครศรีธรรมราช			1238–1767 1769–1784			Thailand			Briefly gain independence after the Second Fall of Ayutthaya, and later was integrated fully into the Kingdom of Rattanakosin.
Principality of Si Phum			เมืองศรีภูมิ			1768–1772			Thailand			Annexed by the Kingdom of Rattanakosin
Principality of Don Mot Daeng			เมืองดอนมดแดง			1777-1778			Laos,  Thailand			Annexed by the Kingdom of Champassak, Under the Kingdom of Rattanakosin
Kingdom of Vientiane			อาณาจักรเวียงจันทน์			1779–1828			Laos,  Vietnam			Annexed as a result of the Lao Rebellion in 1826
	Principality of Phuan			เมืองพวน			1779–1888			Laos,  Vietnam			Transferred to Siam then transferred the French Third Republic
	Federation of the Six Hua Phan Cantons			หัวพันทั้งห้าทั้งหก			1779–1888			Laos,  Vietnam			Transferred to Siam then transferred the French Third Republic
		Canton of Hiam-Son			เมืองเหียม-เมืองซ่อน			1779–1888			Laos,  Vietnam
		Canton of Cham Neua			เมืองชำเหนือ			1779–1888			Laos,  Vietnam
		Canton of Cham Tai			เมืองชำใต้			1779–1888			Laos,  Vietnam
		Canton of Soi			เมืองโสย			1779–1888			Laos,  Vietnam
		Canton of Kho-Sop'Et			เมืองเชียงฆอ-เมืองสบแอด			1779–1888			Laos,  Vietnam
		Canton of Hua Muang			เมืองหัวเมือง			1779–1888			Laos,  Vietnam
Kingdom of Champasak			อาณาจักรหลวงพระบาง			1779–1904			Laos,  Vietnam,  Cambodia			Downgraded to a province
Principality of Thoen			เมืองเถิน			1776-1915			Thailand			Annexed by the Principality of Lampang
Kingdom of Luang Prabang			อาณาจักรจำปาศักดิ์			1779–1893			Laos,  Vietnam			Transferred to the French Third Republic
	Principality of Phongsali			เมืองพงสาลี			1779–1893			Laos,  Vietnam			Transferred to the French Third Republic
	Federation of the Twelve Tai Cantons*			สิบสองจุไทย			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam			Transferred to the French Third Republic
		Canton of Lai			เมืองไล			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Te			เมืองแต่			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Jian			เมืองเจียน			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Mun			เมืองมุน			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Bang			เมืองบาง			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Thaeng			เมืองแถง			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Khwai			เมืองควาย			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Dung			เมืองดุง			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Muai			เมืองม่วย			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of La			เมืองลา			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Moh			เมืองโมะ			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Wat			เมืองหวัด			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Sang			เมืองซาง			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of So			เมืองสอ			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Than			เมืองถาน			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
		Canton of Lo			เมืองลอ			1779–1806 1835–1888			Vietnam
Kingdom of Chiang Mai			นครเชียงใหม่			1775–1894			Thailand			Downgraded to a province
Principality of Lampang			นครเมืองลำปาง			1775–1894			Thailand			Downgraded to a province
Principality of Nan			นครเมืองน่าน			1775–1894			Thailand			Downgraded to a province
Principality of Lamphun			นครลำพูน			1775–1894			Thailand			Downgraded to a province
Principality of Phrae			เมืองแพร่			1775–1894			Thailand			Downgraded to a province
Sultanate of Kedah			เมืองสตูลไทรบุรี			1821–1909			Malaysia			Downgraded to a province, and Transferred to the British Empire
Kingdom of Setul			เมืองสตูล			1808–1909			Thailand			Downgraded to a province
Kingdom of Perlis			เมืองปะลิส			1843–1909			Malaysia			Downgraded to a province, and Transferred to the British Empire
Kingdom of Kubang Pasu			เมืองกุปังปาสู			1839–1864			Malaysia			Merged into Syburi
Sultanate of Pattani			อาณาจักรปัตตานี			1786–1902			Thailand,  Malaysia			Downgraded to a province, and partitioned into seven autonomous townships
Kingdom of Reman			อาณาจักรรามัน			1810–1902			Thailand,  Malaysia			partitioned and merged into surrounding provinces: Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala. The southern part is transferred to the British Empire
Sultanate of Terengganu			อาณาจักรตรังกานู			1786–1909			Malaysia			Downgraded to a province, and Transferred to the British Empire
	Kingdom of Besut Darul Iman			อาณาจักเบอซุต			1780–1899			Malaysia			annexed by the Sultanate of Terengganu
Sultanate of Kelantan			อาณาจักรกลันตัน			1786–1909			Malaysia			Downgraded to a province, and Transferred to the British Empire
Principality of Chiang Tung			เมืองเชียงตุง			1802–1812			Myanmar			Declared Independence, Submitted to Konbaung Dynasty (Third Burmese Empire)
Principality of Hà Tiên			เมืองบันทายมาศ			1785–1809			Cambodia,  Vietnam			Declared Independence, Submitted to Nguyễn Dynasty
Federation of Sipsong Panna			สิบสองปันนา			1805–1812			Myanmar,  Laos,  China			Declared Independence, Submitted to Konbaung Dynasty (Third Burmese Empire)
	Canton of Chiang Rung			นครเชียงรุ่ง			1805–1812			China
		Chiang Rung			เชียงรุ่ง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Yang			เมืองยาง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Ham			เมืองฮำ			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Je			นครเมืองแจ			1805–1812			China
		Muang Je			เมืองแจ			1805–1812			China
		Muang Mang (Western)			เมืองมาง(ตะวันตก)			1805–1812			China
		Chiang Lu			เชียงลู			1805–1812			China
		Muang Ong			เมืองออง			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Luang			นครเมืองลวง			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Hon			นครเมืองหน			1805–1812			China ,  Myanmar
		Muang Hon			เมืองหน			1805–1812			China
		Muang Phan			เมืองพาน			1805–1812			China
		Muang Lo			เมืองลอ			1805–1812			Myanmar
	Canton of Rai			นครเมืองราย			1805–1812			China
		Muang Rai			เมืองราย			1805–1812			China
		Muang Juang			เมืองเจือง			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Ngad			นครเมืองงาด			1805–1812			China
		Muang Ngad			เมืองงาด			1805–1812			China
		Muang Khang			เมืองขาง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Wang			เมืองวัง			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Lah			นครเมืองหล้า			1805–1812			China
		Muang Lah			เมืองหล้า			1805–1812			China
		Muang Ban			เมืองบาน			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Hing			นครเมืองฮิง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Hing			เมืองฮิง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Pang			เมืองปาง			1805–1812			China
	Canton of La			นครเมืองลา			1805–1812			China
		Chiang Neua			เชียงเหนือ			1805–1812			China
		Muang La			เมืองลา			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Phong			นครเมืองพง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Phong			เมืองพง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Mang (Eastern)			เมืองมาง(ตะวันออก)			1805–1812			China
		Muang Yuan			เมืองหย่วน			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Ou Neua			นครเมืองอูเหนือ			1805–1812			Laos
		Muang Ou Neua			เมืองอูเหนือ			1805–1812			Laos
		Muang Ou Tai			เมืองอูใต้			1805–1812			Laos
	Canton of Tho			นครเมืองทอ			1805–1812			China
		Chiang Tho			เชียงทอ			1805–1812			China
		Muang I-Ngou			เมืองอีงู			1805–1812			China
		Muang I-Pang			เมืองอีปาง			1805–1812			China
	Canton of Phuthaen Luang			นครเมืองภูแถนหลวง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Phuthaen Luang			เมืองภูแถนหลวง			1805–1812			China
		Muang Kham Thaen			เวียงคำแถน			1805–1812			China
Principality of Chiang Khaeng			เมืองเชียงแขง			1802–1812 1892–1893**			Laos,  Myanmar			Declared Independence, Submitted to Konbaung Dynasty (Third Burmese Empire), then transferred to Siam merging with the Principality of Nan then transferred to the French Third Republic
Principality of Chiang Lap			เมืองเชียงลับ			1802–1812			Myanmar			Declared Independence, Submitted to Konbaung Dynasty (Third Burmese Empire)

*Twelve Cantons were actually composed of twelve to sixteen different cantons. Note that throughout the centuries, different cantons held the same seats. The number of seats range from 12 to 16.

**Chiang Khaeng was merged with the Principality of Nan after the transfer.

Lost Territories

There are various territories which were partitioned and transferred to another political entity over the centuries. This could be either that the central government gave an order, or an independent action acted upon by the individual muang prathetsarat.

Map	Territory	เขตการปกครอง	Period Under Suzerainty	Fate	Today part of
	Salaween Territory	ดินแดนสาละวิน	1802–1892	Traded to Karenni State and Shan State, British Burma, gaining Chiang Khaeng.	Myanmar,  Laos
	Chiang Khaeng Territory	ดินแดนเมืองเชียงแขง	1892–1893	Transferred to the French Third Republic	Myanmar
	Koh Song Territory	ดินแดนเกาะสอง	1769–1864	Ceded to the British Empire	Myanmar
	Miawdi Territory	ดินแดนเมียวดี	1768–1834	Gifted to the British Empire, from the Kingdom of Chiang Mai	Myanmar
	Mohtahmah Territory	ดินแดนเมาะตะมะ	1287–1548 1594–1613 1662	Ceded to the Toungoo Dynasty, regained Ceded to the Toungoo Dynasty, regained Ceded to the Konbaung Dynasty (Third Burmese Empire)	Myanmar
	Thawai Territory	ดินแดนทวาย	1287–1548 1593–1613 1662	Ceded to the Toungoo Dynasty, regained Ceded to the Toungoo Dynasty, regained Ceded to the Konbaung Dynasty (Third Burmese Empire)	Myanmar
	Tanaosi Territory	ดินแดนตะนาวสี	1287–1564 1593–1614 1756–1760	Ceded to the Toungoo Dynasty, regained Ceded to the Toungoo Dynasty, regained Ceded to the Konbaung Dynasty (Third Burmese Empire)	Myanmar