Pathum Thani Province

Pathum Thani ปทุมธานี
—  Province  —
Seal
Map of Thailand highlighting Pathum Thani Province
Country	Thailand
Capital	Pathum Thani town
Government
• Governor	Pricha Butsi (since 2008)
Area
• Total	1,525.9 km2 (589.2 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 69th
Population
• Total	853,649
• Density	560/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
• Density rank	Ranked 7th
Time zone	Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7)
ISO 3166 code	TH-13

Pathum Thani (Thai: ปทุมธานี, pronounced [pā.tʰūm tʰāːnīː]) 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. Pathum Thani town is the administrative seat, but Ban Rangsit, seat of Thanyaburi district, is the largest populated place within the provincial boundary.^[1]

Pathum Thani is an old province filled with multiple temples, parks and areas to experience Mon culture. A lot of the modern knowledge, culture and history are presented in the museums and temples. The most famous amusement park in Thailand, Dream World, is also set there. In addition, it is a source of Mon culture and traditions by the Chaophaya River that shows the special characteristic of their culture. It is a perfect place for travelling in various styles near Bangkok.

Geography

The province is located in the low alluvial flats of the Chao Phraya river, that also flows through the capital city. Many canals (khlongs) cross the province and feed the rice paddies.

History

The city dates back to a settlement founded by Mon migrating from Mottama (Thai: เมาะตะมะ) 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.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows a pink lotus flower with two rice ears bending over it. Both symbols stand for the fertility of the province.

The provincial tree is the Indian coral tree (Erythrina variegata), provincial flower the Lotus (Nymphaea lotus).

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 7 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 60 communes (tambon) and 529 villages (muban).

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), TOT Innovation Institute (TOT)

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

Footnotes

1. ^ "Population Statistics 2008". Department of Provincial Administration. http://www.dopa.go.th/xstat/p5113_04.html. Retrieved 2010-06-28. "Pathum Thani town population 18,843; Rangsit town population 76,843" 

References

• Committee of Pathum Thani. (1957). Pathum Thani. Pathum Thani: Author.
• Department of Information and Communication of Pathum Thani. (n.d.). Pathum Thani. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://www.pathumthani.go.th/index%20k.htm
• Dream World. (2004). Retrieved February 17, 2007, from http://www.dreamworld-th.com/english/index.php
• Parangkio, S. (2005). Ha-sib-sa-tan-tee-tong-tiaw-tua-Thai [Fifty interesting places in Thailand]. Nontaburi: J.B. Publishing.
• Pathum Thani. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2007, * Somnuk, P. (2005). Karn-tong-tiaw-tua-Thai-songpasa [Explore through amazing Thailand in bi-lingual]. Nontaburi: J.B. Publishing.
• Thai Tour Info Co., Ltd. (n.d.). Tourist attraction. Retrieved January 27, 2007, from http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-tour/Central/Prathumthani/main.htm
• Tourism Authority of Thailand. (2005). The tourist information of Pathum Thani. Retrieved January 27, 2007, from http://www.tat.or.th/province.asp?prov_id=13

External links

• Pathum Thani Administration Office
• Thailand Guidebook: Pathum Thani Province
• / Universities and Colleges in Pathum Thani at the Open Directory Project

		Ayutthaya Province	Saraburi Province
			Nakhon Nayok Province
		Pathum Thani Province
	Nonthaburi Province	Bangkok

Coordinates: 14°1′15″N 100°31′29″E / 14.02083°N 100.52472°E / 14.02083; 100.52472