 (PATTANI RAYA:PATTANI,SATUN,SONGKLA,YALA,NARATHIWAT) |
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Patani (in Malay, or Pattani, (derived from Jawi: ڤتنا), also sometimes Patani Raya, or "Greater Patani") is a term that has been used to describe a region comprising the southern Thai provinces of Pattani, Yala (Jala), Narathiwat (Menara), and parts of Songkhla (Singgora), together with much of the northern part of modern peninsular Malaysia.
Patani is historically similar to sultanates such as Singgora (Songkhla), Ligor (Nakhon Si Thammarat), and Lingga (near Surat Thani): Patani was a semi-independent Malay sultanate paying tribute to the Siamese kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. After Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese in 1767, the Sultanate of Patani gained full independence, but under King Rama I, it again came under Siam's control.
A modern separatist movement has sought the establishment of a Malay Islamic state, Patani Darussalam, encompassing the three southern Thai provinces. This campaign has taken a violent turn in recent years, resulting in an insurgency across southern Thailand and the imposition of martial law.
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[edit] Early history
The area was home to the Hindu-Buddhist kingdom of Langkasuka as early as the second century, as accounts from Chinese travelers attest. Langkasuka reached its peak in the sixth and seventh centuries, and then declined as a major trade center. Pattani subsequently became part of the Hindu-Buddhist Empire of Srivijaya, a maritime confederation based in Palembang, which spanned the seventh to the thirteenth centuries. Regional influence during these early centuries also came from the developing Khmer, Siamese and Malay cultures.
The founding of the Islamic kingdom of Patani is thought to have been around the mid-13th century, with folklore suggesting it was named after an exclamation made by Sultan Ismail Shah, "Pantai Ini!" ("This beach" in the local Malay language).[1] However, some think it was the same country known to the Chinese as Pan Pan.
[edit] Siamese Rule
Patani came under Thai rule briefly during the Sukhothai period, and more extensively during the later Ayuthaya period.
In 1791 and 1808, there were rebellions within Pattani against Thai rule, following which Pattani was divided into 7 largely autonomous states (Mueang): Pattani, Nongchik, Saiburi (Teluban), Yala (Jala), Yaring (Jambu), Ra-ngae (Legeh) and Raman. All were ruled by the King of Ligor.
After the British had taken a large part of southern Thailand in 1909, Great Britain and Thailand signed the Bangkok Treaty of 1909. The British recognised Thailand's sovereignty over Pattani, and, in return, Thailand gave up a territory called Kelantan to the British.[2] All seven mueang were reunited into a monthon and incorporated into the kingdom. Later, the central government in Bangkok renamed certain localities with Thai versions of their names and merged some of the mueang.
When the monthon system was dissolved in 1933, three provinces remained: Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
[edit] Greater Malay Patani state
On 8 December 1941, during the Second World War, the Japanese tried to invade Thailand, and crossed Pattani to invade British Malaya. The Thai government later became an active ally of Japan by promising to help Thailand take more than half of her territory back from the British and the French. Tengku Mahmud Mahyuddin, a prominent Pattani leader and the son of the last Raja of Pattani, allied himself with the British in the hopes that Pattani would be granted independence after an Allied victory. His main support came from ethnic Malays displeased by the nationalistic policies of the Phibun regime, which forced them to give up their own language and culture.
Mahyuddin assisted the British by launching guerrilla attacks against the Japanese. In 1945, a petition by Malay leaders led by Tengku Abdul Jalal demanded that Britain guarantee independence for the southernmost provinces of Thailand. At the war's end, the Greater Malay Pattani State (Negara Melayu Patani Raya) flag did fly briefly in Pattani. However, since the British had no power over Thailand, the Thai continued to rule over Pattani, while the British kept Thailand stable as a counterweight to the communist insurgency in Malaya. This led to the formation of several insurgent groups seeking the independence of Pattani.
[edit] Resistance movements in Patani
During World War II, along with the Greater Patani Malay Movement, led by Tengku Mahmud Mahyuddin, another resistance force under the leadership of Islamic scholar Haji Sulong Tokmina also fought against the Japanese. Their stated goal was to create an Islamic republic in Patani, which frequently put it at odds with Prince Tengku Mahmud who wanted to reestablish the Pattanese Sultanate.
Today, the goals and ideas of Haji Sulong Tokmina are still carried on by minor resistance groups interested in creating an Islamic republic. After the war, though, British and Thai policies essentially removed the possibility of an independent republic in Pattani.
[edit] Current insurgency
Patani separatist groups, most notably the Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO), began to use violent tactics in 2001. There have been suggestions of links between PULO and foreign Islamist groups, such as al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah. A number of Pattani Muslims are reported to have received training at al-Qaeda centres in Pakistan, and the Pattani insurgents have forged links with groups such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the Philippines and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Indonesia.
| 2-Yala ยะลา | |||
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| — Province — | |||
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| Country |  Thailand | ||
| Capital | Yala | ||
| Government | |||
| - Governor | Kritsada Bunrat (since October 2009) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 4,521.1 km2 (1,745.6 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | Ranked 48th | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 415,537 | ||
| - Rank | Ranked 59th | ||
| - Density | 91.9/km2 (238/sq mi) | ||
| - Density rank | Ranked 47th | ||
| Time zone | Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | TH-95 | ||
Yala (Thai: ยะลา) is the southernmost province (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north-west clockwise) Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat. Yala is the only land-locked province in the south of Thailand. The southern part borders Kedah and Perak of Malaysia.
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[edit] Etymology
The name Yala is actually the Thai transliteration of Jala (Jawi: جال), its original Malay name means 'net'. The province is also known as Jolor (Jawi: جولور) in Patani Malay language.
[edit] Geography
Yala Province is located on the Southern Thailand.
[edit] History
Historically Pattani Province was the centre of the semi-independent Malay Sultanate of Patani, but paying tribute to the Thai kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. After Ayutthaya fell in to the Burmese in 1767, the Sultanate of Patani gained full independence but under King Rama I (reigned 1782–1809) again came under Siam's control.
In 1909, it was annexed by Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 negotiated with the British Empire. Along with Narathiwat, Yala was originally part of Pattani Province but they were split off and became provinces of their own. There is a separatist movement in Yala, which after being dormant for many years erupted again in 2004. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel in the province.[1]
[edit] Demographics
Yala is one of the four provinces of Thailand with a Muslim majority. About 72% are Malay speaking Muslims. The remainder are Thai and Thai Chinese Buddhists.
[edit] Symbols
The provincial seal shows a miner with simple mining tools including hoes, crowbars, and baskets. Yala was originally a mining town with tin and tungsten ores.
The provincial tree is the Red Saraca (Saraca declinata), and the provincial flower is the Bullet Wood (Mimusops elengi).
[edit] Administrative divisions
Yala is subdivided into 8 districts (amphoe), which are further subdivided into 56 subdistricts (tambon) and 341 villages (muban).
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[edit] Tourism
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[edit] Sights
City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง) This shrine houses the City Pillar made of Chaiyapruk wood. It is 50 centimetres tall, bottom circumference is 43 inches, top circumference is 36 inches with the four-faced Bhrama and a flame on top.
Yala Central Mosque (มัสยิดกลางจังหวัดยะลา) is the main mosque of the province in western architectural style intertwined with the unique mosque frame. The front has about 30 wide steps leading to the upper terrace.
Sanam Chang Phueak Park (สวนสาธารณะสนามช้างเผือก) It was used as the ground to give the King a white elephant (chang phueak) named “Phra Sawet Sura Khachathan”. The Park has a pavilion in the middle of a large pond and various sculpture of animals.
Suan Khwan Mueang (สวนขวัญเมือง) Its vast area of 207 rai has a separate sportsground and a 69 rai pond, landscaped with sandy beach and sea pines to remedy the landlocked problem of the province
Wat Khuhaphimuk or Wat Na Tham (พระพุทธไสยาสน์วัดคูหาภิมุขหรือวัดหน้าถ้ำ) is one of the three most revered places of the south. A figure of a giant, made in B.E. 2484 and named by the villagers as “Chao Khao”, protects the entrance of the cave that houses the reclining Buddha. Inside the cave is a large chamber that has been converted into a religious area.
Tham Mae Nang Montho (ถ้ำแม่นางมณโฑ) Inside the cave are large connecting chambers that are mostly dark. A torch is highly recommended. The highlight of this place is at the end of the cave with a large stalagmite resembling the shape of a meditating lady, hence the name of the cave.
Tham Sin (ถ้ำศิลป์) This is a very small and dark cave with ancient mural of different postures of the Lord Buddha and a painting of three women standing together on the cave wall that has deteriorated with time. A torch or a lamp is highly recommended to view the mural and the cave itself.
Bang Lang Dam (เขื่อนบางลาง) This Dam is the first multi-purpose dam in the South, on Pattani River. It is 85 metres high with a crest of 422 metres long, and the reservoir capacity of 1,420 million cubic metres.
Tham Krachaeng (ถ้ำกระแชง) is a cave located at Ban Ka Sot, Tambon Bannang Sata, about 50 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang Yala.
Namtok Sukthalai or Namtok Kue Long (น้ำตกสุขทาลัยหรือน้ำตกกือลอง) It consists of five levels. The Princess Mother named it “Namtok Sukthalai”.
Namtok Than To (น้ำตกธารโต) It is a large waterfall with cascading water running through seven levels with pools for swimming. The surrounding forest is lush with many interesting species including Si Yala (Saraca thaipingensis Cantley ex Prain) with yellow blooms in February.
Namtok La-ong Rung (Rainbow Waterfall) (น้ำตกละอองรุ้ง) The slippery trek leads along the stream from the waterfall calls for precaution. During the rainy season, the waterfall has the effect of the rainbow, hence the name.
Sakai Village (หมู่บ้านซาไก) The Sakai is an ancient nomad tribe who exists on hunting and gathering, is an expert on herbal plants and using darts for hunting. Recently the Department of Social Work has developed the village by segregating the Sakai in one area and introduced rubber planting as their occupation.
Namtok Bu Ke Pilo or Namtok Tawan Ratsami (น้ำตกบูเก๊ะปิโลหรือน้ำตกตะวันรัศมี) is about 19 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. The entrance to the waterfall is about 500 metres from the village. This waterfall is different from other waterfalls in that when sunlight shines onto the water, it will affect the color of the underwater rocks—they all turn beautiful yellow.
Betong (เบตง) is Malay, meaning “bamboo”. This district is at the southernmost point of Thailand. The Betong city centre is surrounded by mountains, resulting in cool climate and high rainfall with frequent fog in the morning. It is therefore dubbed “The City in the Fog with Beautiful Flowers”. .
Phra Mahathat Chedi Phra Phutthathammaprakat (พระมหาธาตุเจดีย์พระพุทธธรรมประกาศ) This chedi is built in the modern Sivijaya style, covered in gold color. It is 39.9 metres high, built to commemorate the 69th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen.
Suan Sut Sayam (Betong Municipality Park) (สวนสุดสยาม) It is the overlook for the city, consisting of ornamental plants and flowering plants garden, avarium, health garden, a sportsground, a swimming pool, and a playground.
The Largest Mail Box in Thailand (ตู้ไปรษณีย์ใหญ่ที่สุดในประเทศไทย) It was built in B.E. 2467 before World War II as the communication post for the townspeople, through the radio implanted on top of the box, and the mail slot below it. At present a new box had been built in a larger size (nine metres tall), and is located at the City Convention Hall (Sala Prachakhom).
The Swift (นกนางแอ่น): at dusk the swifts would fly about the city centre and come to rest at houses, on buildings and on electricity lines, especially on the Bell Tower that is well-lit at night. They have become one of Betong’s symbols.
Betong Hot Spring (บ่อน้ำร้อนเบตง) is situated at Ban Charo Parai Village, Tambon Tano Mae Ro, about five kilometres before reaching the Betong city centre.
Namtok Inthason (น้ำตกอินทสร) is about 15 kilometres from Betong city centre, or about two kilometres further from the Hot Spring.
Piyamit Tunnel (อุโมงค์ปิยะมิตร) The tunnel was built in three months in B.E. 2519, winding through the mountain for about one kilometre, about 50–60 feet wide with multiple entrances. It was used as the air raid shelter and food storage area. At present there is an exhibition about its history including the way of life in the forest.
Bala-Hala Forest (ป่าบาลา-ฮาลา) or Suan Pa Phra Namaphithai Phak Tai, Section Two (สวนป่าพระนาภิไธยภาคใต้ ส่วนที่ 2) is a lush rainforest with many rare plants and wildlife, especially birds. It is also the habitat of the Sakai. This forest occupies a large area at the boundary of Yala and Narathiwat.
Namtok Chaloem Phra Kiat Ro Kao (น้ำตกเฉลิมพระเกียรติ ร.9) is in Tambon Ai Yoe Weng. The waterfall is more than 30 metres high, surrounded by lush forest.
[edit] Local Products
Shogun oranges (ส้มโชกุน) is Yala’s leading economic crop. They are similar to the green sweet oranges but have soft tastier flesh.
Kluai Hin (กล้วยหิน) is a kind of banana, similar to Kluay Nam Wa, when boiled or glazed will have nutty taste.
Betong Noodles (หมี่เบตง), the egg noodles that are very tasty.
Betong Soy Sauce (ซีอิ๊วเบตง) is made from soybeans with special method.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Festivals
ASEAN Java Songbird Contest (งานมหกรรมแข่งขันนกเขาชวาเสียงอาเซียน): Yala is one of the southern provinces that favor Java Songbirds. It is widely believed that Java Songbirds are good luck charms that would bring good luck to their owners, especially those birds with prescribed characteristics. The Yala Municipality Authority and the Java Songbird Owner Association annually stage the ASEAN Java Songbird Contest on the first weekend of March. The first contest was held in B.E. 2529 and was very successful, leading to the annual event held on the ground of Suan Khwan Mueang.
The City Pillar Ceremony (งานสมโภชเจ้าพ่อหลักเมืองยะลา), held annually in May on the ground of the Yala Municipality Office, in which the model City Pillar is paraded. Stalls displaying goods for sale, exhibition, Government products, folk entertainment such as Manora Dance, Nung Talung, and Hulu Li Ke are also on hand.
Yala Product and Cultural Revival Festival (งานเทศกาลฟื้นฟูประเพณีและของดีเมืองยะลา) is held annually on the first weekend of August, on the grounds of the Yala Municipality Office. Folk cultures from the various groups in the border provinces of the south, mainly Chinese-Thai Buddhists and Thai Muslim, are performed. There are also contests for Chi La Dance, Best Dressed Banong, Si Bu-nga Siri (a special kind of potpourri), Rong-ngeng Dance, Annacit Singing contest in Malay and Thai languages, plus folk performances from various schools in the area. Exhibition of Yala’s best produce is not to be missed.
| 3-Narathiwat นราธิวาส | |||
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| — Province — | |||
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| Country | Thailand | ||
| Capital | Narathiwat | ||
| Government | |||
| - Governor of Narathiwat | Thanon Vejkorakanont (since October 2009) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 4,475.0 km2 (1,727.8 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | Ranked 50th | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 662,350 | ||
| - Rank | Ranked 36th | ||
| - Density | 148/km2 (383.3/sq mi) | ||
| - Density rank | Ranked 24th | ||
| Time zone | Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | TH-96 | ||
Narathiwat (Thai: นราธิวาส) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Yala and Pattani. To the south it borders the Malaysian state of Kelantan. The southern railway line ends in this province that is one of the nation’s five provinces that borders Malaysia.[1] The name of this province means “the residence of good people”[1]. The province features a range of cultures as well as natural resources, and is relatively fertile. Narathiwat is located some 1,140 kilometers south of Bangkok and occupies an area of 4,475 square kilometers. Seventy five percent of the area is jungles and mountains. The area has a tropical climate.
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[edit] Geography
Narathiwat province is located on the Gulf of Thailand, on the Malay Peninsula. The Bang Nara is the main river and enters the Gulf of Thailand at the town of Narathiwat. Narathat beach, the most popular in the province, is near the estuary.
Budo - Su-ngai Padi National Park is located within the Sankalakhiri mountain range. Established in 1974, the park covers an area of 294 km², extending into neighbouring Yala and Pattani province. The main attraction is Pacho Waterfall.[2]
[edit] Etymology
The original name of Narathiwat was Menara (Jawi: منارا), meaning a 'tower' in Malay. This was changed to Bang Nara (บางนรา) in Thai. It was finally changed to Narathiwat by King Rama VI in 1915.[3] "Narathiwat", from the Sanskrit (Nara+adhivāsa), means the residence of wise people.
[edit] History
Historically Narathiwat was the part of the semi-independent Malay Sultanate of Patani, paying tribute to the Thai kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. After Ayutthaya fell in 1767, Sultanate of Patani gained full independence, but under King Rama I it again came under Thai control some 20 years later.
In 1909, Narathiwat was fully integrated into Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 negotiated with the British Empire. Along with Yala, Narathiwat was then part of Monthon Pattani. There is a small but active separatist movement, which after being dormant for many years erupted again in 2004.
[edit] Demographics
Narathiwat is one of the four Thai provinces which have a Muslim majority; 82% are Muslim and only 17.9% are Buddhist.[4] Also 80.4% speak the Patani Malay as their first language.[1] Narathiwat Malays are very similar in ethnicity and culture to the Malays of Kelantan, Malaysia.
The inhabitants of Narathiwat are largely farmers and fishermen.[5] On account of the religion, Narathiwat is an area with various religious places to go sightseeing.[citation needed]
[edit] Symbols
The provincial seal shows a sailing boat with a white elephant on the sail. A white elephant is a royal symbol, and was put on the seal to commemorate the white elephant Phra Sri Nararat Rajakarini which was caught here and presented to the king.
The provincial symbol is the longkong fruit (Lansium domesticum). The provincial tree is the Chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii), and the provincial flower is the Odontadenia macrantha.
[edit] Administrative divisions
Narathiwat is subdivided into 13 districts (amphoe), which are further subdivided into 77 subdistricts (tambon) and 551 villages (muban).
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Local government entities within the province are the two towns (thesaban mueang) Narathiwat and Sungai Kolok, and 12 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).
[edit] Recent history
There has been unrest in southern Thailand since January 4, 2004, especially in the majority Muslim provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani. Most of the inhabitants of these provinces also are ethnic Malays. The violent mujahideen activity has been occurring since the 1980s. While the population may not support the separatists, many are nevertheless disaffected by the perceived heavy-handedness of the crackdown on the mujahideen by the central government.
On October 26, 2004, 78 Narathiwat Muslims suffocated after being arrested and stacked in police trucks in Tak Bai, allegedly for taking part in riots around the province.
On June 8, 2009, at least 10 people died in a shooting during the Muslim evening prayers. Five or six gunmen disguised themselves with ski masks and attacked a Mosque. The army in Thailand has denied involvement in the shooting.[6]
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Religious Sites
[edit] Central Mosque of Narathiwat
The important religious site for Muslims is the Central Mosque of Narathiwat. This mosque is located on Pitchitbamrung Road, Tambon Bangnark, Amphoe Muang, about 1 kilometer from the provincial town. This mosque is the center of Thai Muslims who come to do their religious practice on Friday. It was built in 1981 in a three-storied Arabian-style building with a high tower and a domed roof as other mosques. The tower is used to call Muslims to prayer. It has been perfectly constructed by applying modern art blended with classical art intrigue.[7]
[edit] Khao Kong Buddhist Park
As has already been noted, 17.9 percent of the people in Narathiwat are Buddhist.[4] Although it is a minority of the people, there are also Buddhist places in the same Amphoe of the mosque. The most famous one is Khao Kong Buddhist Park that occupies an area of 142 rai (56.8 acres) in Tambon Lamphu about 9 kilometers from town on the Narathiwat-Rangae Road.[1]
[edit] Pra Buddha Thaksin Ming Monkol
The main attraction in this site is a graceful southern Buddha image, the golden “Pra Buddha Thaksin Ming Monkol”,[7] which is seated in the lotus position and giving posture. “This mountaintop Buddha image which is considered to be the most beautiful and largest (17 meters wide and 24 meters high) outdoor Buddha image in southern Thailand is decora
| 4-Satun สตูล | |||
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| — Province — | |||
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| Country | Thailand | ||
| Capital | Satun | ||
| Government | |||
| - Governor | Sumet Chailoetwanitchakun (since March 2009) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 2,479.0 km2 (957.1 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | Ranked 63rd | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 247,875 | ||
| - Rank | Ranked 69th | ||
| - Density | 100/km2 (259/sq mi) | ||
| - Density rank | Ranked 45th | ||
| Time zone | Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | TH-91 | ||
Satun (Thai: สตูล) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Trang, Phatthalung and Songkhla. To the south it borders Perlis of Malaysia.
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[edit] Etymology
The name Satun is a Thai version of its original Malay name, Setul (santol, or wild mangosteen tree).
[edit] Geography
The province is located on the Malay Peninsula, on the shore of the Andaman Sea. It is separated from Songkhla Province by the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range, and from Malaysia by the Sankalakhiri mountains.
The Ko Tarutao and Ko Phetra marine national parks are part of the province. Close to the border with Malaysia is the Thale Ban National Park, a big freshwater swamp area.
[edit] History
Until 1813 Satun was a district of the Malay state of Kedah, then known as Mukim Setul (Jawi: مقيم ستول)in Malay. After that date it was administered by a governor sent from Nakhon Si Thammarat. In 1897 Satun became part of Monthon Saiburi (now Kedah), which in 1909 was divided between British Empire and Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909. While most of Kedah was ceded to Britain, Satun was awarded to Siam because it had a relatively large Thai population. Satun was then incorporated into Monthon Phuket. The monthon system was ended in 1933, and Satun province became a first-level subdivision of Thailand.
[edit] Demographics
Satun is one of the four provinces of Thailand which have a Muslim majority: 67.8% are Muslim and 31.9% are Buddhists. Most of the Muslims have some ethnic-Malay ancestry, though only 9.9% of the population claims to be ethnically Malay. The Malay dialect used in Satun is distinctly different from Pattani Malay and is much closer to the Kedah dialect of Malay, with a significant admixture of Thai influences.[1]
Since Satun had belonged to the Kedah Sultanate, which had a strong relationship with both Ayutthaya and Siam under the Chakri dynasty, its Malay Muslims commonly intermarry with Thai Buddhists without serious religious hesitation. This custom has created a distinct social group known as Samsam, meaning a mixed person. Most Samsams, if not all, are Muslims.[2]
Unlike the other Muslim majority provinces in Thailand, Satun does not have a history of political confrontation with the central power in Bangkok or of tension with the Buddhist population which makes up the majority of Thailand as a country.[3] Malay Muslims in Satun are substantially assimilated and rarely sympathise with separatism from Thailand, in contrast to the Malay Muslims in Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala.
[edit] Symbols
The provincial seal shows Pra Samut Thewaa sitting on a stone in the sea, with the sunset behind. Pra Samut Thewaa is a spirit who guards the sea. The stone is his divine vehicle. The sunset symbolizes the Andaman Sea, which lies to the west of the province.
The provincial tree is the Thai Rosewood or Pha-yungklaep (Dalbergia bariensis), and the provincial flower is the Snowy Orchid Tree (Bauhinia acuminata). The province's motto is Peaceful, Clean and Pure Nature.
[edit] Administrative divisions
Satun is subdivided into 7 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 36 subdistricts (tambon) and 277 villages (muban). Satun itself is the only town (thesaban mueang), there are further 5 townships (thesaban tambon). The non-municipal area is administrated by 35 tambon administrative organizations (TAO).
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Originally, the province was subdivided into 2 districts - Mambang and Thung Wa - and the minor district (King Amphoe) La-ngu. Due to the decline of pepper production in Thung Wa district, in 1930 the government made Thung Wa a minor district and instead declared La-ngu a district. In 1939 Mambang was renamed to Mueang Satun. Khuan Kalong was split off from Mueang district in 1969, from which in turn Tha Pae was split in 1976 and Manang in 1996. In 1973 Thung Wa regained district status. Khuan Don was established in 1975 by splitting it from Mueang district.
| 5-Songkhla สงขลา | |||
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| — Province — | |||
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| Country | Thailand | ||
| Capital | Songkhla | ||
| Government | |||
| - Governor | Winyu Thongsakun (since October 2009) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 7,393.9 km2 (2,854.8 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | Ranked 26th | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| - Total | 1,324,915 | ||
| - Rank | Ranked 11th | ||
| - Density | 179.2/km2 (464.1/sq mi) | ||
| - Density rank | Ranked 14th | ||
| Time zone | Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | TH-90 | ||
Songkhla (Thai: สงขลา, Malay: Singgora) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Satun, Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani and Yala. To the south it borders Kedah and Perlis of Malaysia.
In contrast to most other provinces, the capital Songkhla is not the largest city in the province. The much newer city of Hat Yai, with a population of 359,813, is considerably larger, with twice the population of Songkhla (163,072). This often leads to the misconception that Hat Yai is the provincial capital.
Both cities are part of Greater Hatyai-Songkhla Metropolitan Area.
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[edit] Geography
The province is located on the Malay Peninsula, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The highest elevation is the Khao Mai Kaeo at 821 meters.
In the north of the province is Songkhla lake, the largest natural lake in Thailand. This shallow lake covers an area of 1,040 km², and has a south-north extent of 78 kilometers. At its mouth on the Gulf of Thailand, near the city of Songkhla, the water becomes brackish. A small population of Irrawaddy Dolphins live in the lake, but are in danger of extinction due to accidental capture by the nets of the local fishing industry.
Two national parks are located in the province. San Kala Khiri covers 214 km² of mountain highlands on the Thai-Malay border; Khao Nam Khang, is also located on the boundary mountains. Chinese Communist guerilla settled in this region until the 1980s.
Within the boundaries of the city of Songkhla is the Samila cape beach, the most popular beach in the province. The famous mermaid statue can be found here. The two islands Ko Nu and Ko Maew (Mouse and Cat island), not far from the beach, are also a popular landmark, and a preferred fishing ground. According to the local legend, a cat, mouse and dog were traveling on a Chinese ship, when they attempted to steal a crystal from the merchant. Swimming ashore with the crystal, both the cat and the mouse drowned and became the two islands, while the dog reached the beach, but died and become the hill Khao Tang Kuan. The crystal turned into the white sandy beach.
[edit] History
The name Songkhla is actually the Thai corruption of Singgora (Jawi: سيڠڬورا), its original name means 'the city of lions' in Malay. This refers to a lion-shaped mountain near the city of Songkhla.
Songkhla was the seat of an old Malay Kingdom with heavy Srivijayan influence. In ancient times (200 AD - 1400 AD), Songkhla formed the northern extremity of the Malay Kingdom of Langkasuka. The city-state then became a tributary of Nakhon Si Thammarat, suffering damage during several attempts to gain independence. Since the 18th century, Songkla has been firmly under Thai suzerainty.
In the 18th century many Chinese immigrants, especially from Guangdong and Fujian, came to the province. Quickly rising to economic wealth, one of them won the bidding for the major tax farm of the province in 1769, establishing the Na Songkhla (i.e. 'from Songkhla') family as the most wealthy and influential. In 1777 the family also gained political power, when the old governor was dismissed and Luang Inthakhiri (Yiang, Chinese name Wu Rang (呉譲)) became the new governor. In 1786 the old governor started an uprising, which was however put down after four months. The post was inherited in the family and held by 8 of his descendants until 1901, when Phraya Wichiankhiri (Chom) was honorably retired as part of the administrative reforms of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. The family's former home has been converted into the Songkhla National Museum in 1953.
In 1909, Songkhla was formally annexed by Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 negotiated with the British Empire. Songkhla was the scene of heavy fighting when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Thailand on 8 December 1941.
Songkhla was not initially affected by the recent outbreak of Pattani Separatism, which began in 2004. However, bombs planted in 2005 and 2007 created fear the insurgence might spread into Songkhla province as well. The districts Chana and Thepha bordering Pattani however are under martial law since 2005.[1]
[edit] Demographics
People of the Buddhist faith make up about three-quarters of the population, most of whom are of Thai or Chinese ethnicity.[2] About a quarter of the population are Muslim, many of whom are of mixed Thai and Malay ancestry.[3] People proclaiming to be of Malay ethnicity make up a minority among the Muslim populace.[4] The Songkhla Malays are very similar in ethnicity and culture to the Malays of Kelantan, Malaysia. They speak the Patani Malay language, which differs from the Bahasa Malay predominantly by means of actively used vocabulary and also in pronunciation.
[edit] Traffic
Phetkasem Road running all the way from Bangkok ends at the border crossing to Malaysia in Sadao. Also, the Asian highway 2 and 18 run through the province. Of note is the Tinsulanond Bridge, which crosses the Songkhla lake to connect the narrow land east of the lake at the coast to the Gulf with the main southern part of the province. With a length of 2.6 km it is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand. Built in 1986, the bridge consists of two parts, the southern 1,140 m connects Mueang district with the island Ko Yo, and the northern part of 1,800 m to Ban Khao Khiao.
The southern railway runs through the province, and continues on into Malaysia, with Hat Ya being the main and southern most station. In the past, a railway line connected the town of Songkhla with Hat Yai, but it was closed in 1978 and is now partly dismantled and partly overgrown.[5]
[edit] Culture
The most important Buddhist temple of the province is Wat Matchimawat (also named Wat Klang), located on Saiburi road in the city of Songkhla itself.
On the island Ko Yo within Songkhla lake, since being easily accessible via the Tinsulanond Bridge, the residents have started to sell the hand-woven fabric named Phathor Ko Yo. Also famous for the island is the local jackfruit variant named Jampada.
Held in the first night of October, the Chak Phra tradition is a Buddhist festival specific to the south of Thailand. It is celebrated with Buddha boat processions or sports events like a run up Khao Tang Kuan hill.
In September or October at the Chinese Lunar festival the Thai-Chinese present their offerings to the moon or Queen of the heavens in gratitude for past and future fortunes.
[edit] Symbols
The provincial seal shows a conch shell on a Phan (tray) with glass decorations. The origin of the conch shell is unclear, but the most widely adopted interpretation is that it was a decoration on the jacket of the Prince of Songkhla.
The provincial tree is the Sa-dao-thiam (Azadirachta excelsa).
[edit] Administrative divisions-(copy of wikipedia)
Songkhla is subdivided into 16 districts (amphoe), which are further subdivided into 127 subdistricts (tambon) and 987 villages (muban).
The districts of Chana (Malay: Chenok), Thepa (Malay:Tiba) were detached from Mueang Pattani and transferred to Songkhla during the thesaphiban reforms around 1900.[citation needed]
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