Uthai Thani (Thai อุทัยธานี) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Suphanburi, Kanchanaburi and Tak.
Geography
The province stretches from the low plains of the Chao Phraya river valley, to mountains covered with forests in the west.
The Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary at the western boundary to the province Tak and was declared World Heritage in 1991. It covers 2,574 km², and houses almost all of the forest animals of South-East Asia, including Tigers and Elephants.
History
Originally Mon and Lawa settled in the area. A first Thai settlement in the area was Muang U Thai during the Sukhothai period, but was later abandoned when the river changed course. Patabeut, a member of the Karen ethnicity, revived the settlement at its currect place during the Ayutthaya period. It served as a fort protecting the boundary of the kingdom then.
Uthai Thani is most famous as being the hometown of the father of King Rama I. Rama I also renamed the city from its old name Uthai to Uthai Thani.
In 1892 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) added the area of Uthai Thani to the Monthon Nakhon Sawan, and in 1898 formed the province.
Symbols
| The provincial seal depicts the pavilion at Wat Khao Sakaekrang. It houses the statue of Thongdee, the father of King Rama I. The mountain in the background symbolizes the location of the pavilion on top of a hill.
Provincial tree is the Yellow Cotton Tree (Cochlospermum regium), provincial tree is Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica v. siamensis).
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| The flag of Uthai Thani depicts the provincial seal of Uthai Thani in the middle. The yellow color in the top of the flag is the symbol color of the Chakri dynasty, as Gold as a precious metal is a symbol for the Thai monarchy. The green color in bottom is the symbol color of King Rama I as he was born on a Wednesday, which is associated with green in the Thai calendar. The text below the seal says Uthai Thani province.
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Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided in 8 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 70 communes (tambon) and 589 villages (mubaan).
- Mueang Uthai Thani
- Thap Than
- Sawang Arom
- Nong Chang
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- Nong Khayang
- Ban Rai
- Lan Sak
- Huai Khot
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External links
