Central - Nonthaburi Province.

Nonthaburi Province.
From Wikipedia.

Nonthaburi (Thai: นนทบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom.
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Geography
Nonthaburi is located directly north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river. The province is part of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In most parts it is as urbanized as the capital, and the boundary between the two provinces is nearly unrecognisable.

History
Nonthaburi was declared a city in the middle of the 16th century, which was previously a village named Talat Khwan. During the reign of King Prasat Thong, a canal was dug to create a shortcut of the flow of the Chao Phraya. The river changed its flow into the new canal, which is still the riverbed today. In 1665 King Narai built a fortress, as the shorter riverway was giving enemies an easier way to the capital Ayutthaya. The town was then also moved near the fortress.

From 1943 to 1946 the province was incorporated into Bangkok.

Symbols
The provincial seal shows earthenware, a traditional product from Nonthaburi.

Provincial flower and tree is the Yellow Flame Tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum).

The provincial slogan translates to Grand Royal Mansion, renowned Suan Somdet, Ko Kret's pottery, famous ancient temples, tasty durians, and the beautiful government office. The royal mansion refers to Patumnuk Nonthaburi in Mueang district, the residence of Prince Boromaorasatirad; Suan Somdet is a water garden in Ko Kret district. The provincial administration building once received an award as the most beautiful such building by the Ministry of Interior.

Administrative divisions
Map of Amphoe

The province is subdivided into 6 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 52 communes (Tambon) and 309 villages.

1. Mueang Nonthaburi
2. Bang Kruai
3. Bang Yai
4. Bang Bua Thong
5. Sai Noi
6. Pak Kret

Central - Nakhon Patom Province

Nakhon Pathom Province
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Nakhon Pathom
นครปฐม Statistics
Capital: Nakhon Pathom
Area: 2,168.3 km²
Ranked 65th
Inhabitants: 815,122 (2000)
Ranked 26th
Pop. density: 376 inh./km²
Ranked 8th
ISO 3166-2: TH-73
Governor: Chanin Buaprasoet
(since October 2007)

Map of Thailand highlighting Nakhon Pathom Province

Nakhon Pathom (Thai: นครปฐม) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi.
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Geography

Nakhon Pathom is located in the alluvial plain of central Thailand. It is drained by the Tha Chin River (also called Nakhon Chaisi river), a distributary of the Chao Phraya river. The urban area of Bangkok has already grown until the provincial borders to Nakhon Pathom.

Approximate center: [show location on an interactive map] 13°55′N, 100°7′E

History

The name Nakhon Pathom derives from the Pali Nagara Pathama, meaning First city, and is thus often referred as the oldest city of Thailand. It was already an important center during the Dvaravati kingdom from the 6th century until the 11th century, however it might even be older. Some historians speculate it dates back to the 3rd century BC, when Buddhist missionaries from India visited there.

Originally Nakhon Pathom was a coastal city, however due to the sedimentation of the Chao Phraya river the coast line moved away from the city. When the Tha Chin river changed its course, the city was removed from water and was deserted, the population moved to the new city of Nakhon Chaisi (or Sirichai). King Mongkut (Rama IV) moved the population back to the old city in 1870, after the restoration of Phra Pathom Chedi was finished.

Major movements of people into Nakhon Pathom province included emigration during and after the reign of King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) of Khmer villages (eg., Don Yai Hom village) Lanna (Baan Nua) and Lao Song villages (eg., Don Kanak village) as well as a major influx of Southern Chinese throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. Currently Nakhon Pathom is attracting migration from other parts of Thailand, notably Bangkok and the Northeastern Thai and Burmese migrant workers.

Symbols
The provincial seal shows the pagoda Phra Pathom Chedi, with 127m the highest pagoda of the world. It is located in the center of the city Nakhon Pathom, and has been an important Buddhist center since the 6th century. The current building was created by king Mongkut in 1860. On the pagoda a royal crown is depicted, the symbol for King Mongkuts work on reconstructing the pagoda.

Provincial tree is Diospyros decandra.

The provincial slogan is sweet pomelos, delicious rice, beautiful young ladies.

Administrative divisions
Map of Amphoe

The province is subdivided into 7 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 105 communes (tambon) and 919 villages (muban). There is one city (thesaban nakhon) and 14 townships (thesaban tambon). There are also 102 tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

1. Mueang Nakhon Pathom
2. Kamphaeng Saen
3. Nakhon Chai Si
4. Don Tum
5. Bang Len
6. Sam Phran
7. Phutthamonthon