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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.
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.
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.
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]
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]
Rank | Region | HDI (2022) | |
---|---|---|---|
Very High Human Development | |||
1 | Bangkok | 0.836 | |
2 | Central Thailand (excluding Bangkok) | 0.808 | |
Thailand | 0.803 | ||
High Human Development | |||
3 | Southern Thailand | 0.791 | |
4 | Northern Thailand | 0.787 | |
5 | Northeastern Thailand | 0.782 |
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.
Northeast Thailand or Isan consists of 20 provinces in northeastern Thailand. Isan is Thailand's largest region, on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Sankamphaeng Range south of Nakhon Ratchasima. To the west it is separated from northern and central Thailand by the Phetchabun Mountains. Isan covers 167,718 km2 (64,756 sq mi), making it about half the size of Germany and roughly the size of England and Wales. The total forest area is 25,203 km2 (9,731 sq mi) or 15 percent of Isan's area.
Central Thailand is one of the regions of Thailand, covering the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It is separated from northeast Thailand (Isan) by the Phetchabun mountain range. The Tenasserim Hills separate it from Myanmar to the west. In the north it is bounded by the Phi Pan Nam Range, one of the hilly systems of northern Thailand. The area was the heartland of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and is still the dominant area of Thailand, containing as it does, the world's most primate city, Bangkok.
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.
Nong Bua Lamphu is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (changwat). It lies in upper northeastern Thailand, a region also known as Isan or Isaan. Neighbouring provinces are Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Loei. Nong Bua Lamphu is one of the eight quadruply-landlocked Thai provinces, as its neighboring provinces are triply-landlocked.
Uthai Thani, one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (changwat) lies in lower northern Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and Tak. It lies somewhat off the route between Bangkok, 200 km distant and Chiang Mai.
The economy of Isan, Thailand's largest region, composed of 20 provinces in the northeast, is dominated by agriculture, although agricultural output is low and decreasing in importance while the trade and service sectors are growing. Much of the population is poor and badly educated. Many labourers have been driven by poverty to seek work in other parts of Thailand or abroad.
Northern Thailand, or more specifically Lanna, is geographically characterised by several mountain ranges, which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar to Laos, and the river valleys that cut through them. Like most of Thailand, it has a tropical savanna climate, but its relatively high elevation and latitude contribute to more pronounced seasonal temperature variation, with cooler winters than the other regions.
Southern Thailand, Southern Siam or Tambralinga is a southernmost cultural region of Thailand, separated from Central Thailand region by the Kra Isthmus.
Eastern Thailand is a region of Thailand bordering Cambodia on the east, Northeastern Thailand in the north, and central Thailand on the west.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is the state-owned rail operator under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport in Thailand.
Phayuha Khiri is a district (amphoe) in Nakhon Sawan province, central Thailand.
The 2011 Regional League Division 2 was the 6th season of the Regional League Division 2, it had redirected from the division 2, since its establishment in 2006. The 77 clubs will be divided into 5 groups (regions).
The 2014 Regional League Division 2 was the 9th season of the Regional League Division 2, it had redirected from the division 2, since its establishment in 2006. The 83 clubs will be divided into 6 groups (regions)
The 1967 Thailand National Games, officially known as the I Thailand National Games, and commonly known as Phra Nakhon 1967, was a multi-sport event held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 1 to 5 November 1967 with 103 events in 15 sports and disciplines featured in the games. This was Bangkok's first time to host the Thailand National Games. A total of 716 athletes from 5 regions participated in the games.
The 3rd Thailand Regional Games also known held in Songkhla, Thailand from 24 to 30 November 1969, with contests 11 sports. These games was the first in Southern of Thailand.
The 4th Thailand Regional Games were held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from 1 to 7 November 1970, with contests in 12 sports. These games were the qualifications for the 1970 Asian Games. At the medal tally, Thailand was third after Japan and South Korea.
The 1968 Thailand National Games, officially known as the II Thailand National Games, and commonly known as Chiang Mai 1968, was a multi-sport event held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 3 to 9 December 1968 with 118 events in 14 sports and disciplines featured in the games. This was Chiang Mai's first time to host the Thailand National Games. A total of 1,700 athletes from 9 regions participated in the games.
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) is a Thai state enterprise under the Ministry of Interior. Established on 28 September 1960 by the Provincial Electricity Authority Act 1960 —which are served by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority.
Thailand is a unitary state, which means the territories are separated into central co-dependencies, with the central government deciding everything for the provinces. The kingdom is separated into multiple levels including regions, provinces, and many more. Though, formally, Thailand is separated into three levels: provinces, districts, and sub-districts, there are also informal divisions such as parimonthon, and phak. Furthermore, there are administrative divisions of the same level with different names such as the first-level divisions of the province and the special administrative region.