Regions of Thailand

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Thailand six regions.svg
Six-region division system
Thailand four regions.svg
Four-region division system
Thailand meteorological regions.svg
Meteorological division system

Thailand is variably divided into different sets of regions, the most notable of which are the six-region grouping used in geographic studies, and the four-region grouping consistent with the Monthon administrative regional grouping system formerly used by the Ministry of Interior. These regions are the largest subdivisions of the country.

Contents

In contrast to the administrative divisions of the provinces of Thailand, the regions no longer have an administrative character, but are used for statistical or academic purposes.

Grouping systems

A six-region system is commonly used for geographical and scientific purposes. This system dates to 1935. [1] It was formalised in 1977 by the National Geographical Committee, which was appointed by the National Research Council. It divides the country into the following regions:

The four-region system, used in some administrative and statistical contexts, and also as a loose cultural grouping, includes the western and eastern regions within the central region, while grouping the provinces of Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, and Uthai Thani in the northern region. This is also the regional system most commonly used on national television, when discussing regional events. It divides the country into the following regions:

The Thai Meteorological Department divides the country into six regions for meteorological purposes. [2] It differs from the four-region system in that the east is regarded as a separate region, the south is divided into east and west coasts, and Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani are grouped in the central region.

Comparison

Provinces Six-region (geographical)Four-region (political)Six-region (meteorological)
Amnat Charoen, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Yasothon NortheasternNortheasternNortheastern
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit NorthernNorthernNorthern
Tak Western
Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai Central
Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani Central
Ang Thong, Bangkok , Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri Central
Nakhon Nayok Eastern
Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat Eastern
Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi WesternCentral
Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan Southern, East Coast
Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Yala SouthernSouthern
Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Trang Southern, West Coast

Regional economic disparities

Thailand's economic activities are concentrated in Bangkok and the central region. In 2013, the central region's gross regional product (GRP) contributed 40.9 percent to Thailand's GDP. Other regions accounted for 10.9 percent (northeastern); 8.8 percent (northern); and 8.6 percent (southern). GRP per capita varied. The average GRP per capita of the central region was 280,734 baht, while that of the northeastern region was 74,532 baht. [3]

Human Development Regions

This is a list of the 4 Thai regions and the capital city of Bangkok by Human Development Index as of 2024 with data for the year 2022. [4]

RankRegionHDI (2022)
Very High Human Development
1 Bangkok 0.836
2 Central Thailand (excluding Bangkok)0.808
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 0.803
High Human Development
3 Southern Thailand 0.791
4 Northern Thailand 0.787
5 Northeastern Thailand 0.782

See also

Related Research Articles

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Surat Thani, often shortened to Surat, is the largest of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It lies on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Surat Thani means 'city of good people', a title given to the city by King Vajiravudh ; Surat Thani is therefore the sole province in Southern Thailand for which the native name is in the Central Thai language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isan</span> Region of northeastern Thailand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nakhon Sawan province</span> Province of Thailand

Nakhon Sawan is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (changwat). It lies in lower northern Thailand, neighbouring the provinces of Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Lopburi, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Uthai Thani, and Tak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nong Bua Lamphu province</span> Province of Thailand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uthai Thani province</span> Province of Thailand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Thailand</span> Region in Chiang Mai


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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Thailand</span> Region in Thailand

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References

  1. Mundus. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft. 1981. p. 65. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  2. "Home; Weather". Thai Meteorological Department. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  3. "The Twelfth National Economic and Social Development Plan, 2017–2021". Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB). pp. 58–59. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  4. "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org.