Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Announcements wrongly indexed in Royal Gazette database

While working through the subdistrict creations I have already came across three more cases where an announcement did not match the title it had in the database (a previous one was on a sanitary district). While their title in the database suggested that they are on the creation of a subdistrict, in fact they were on the change (or clarification) of the area and boundaries. Of course, with such a huge database like this one human errors during the indexing are inevitable, I just don't know whom I can notify to get these cases corrected. And I suspect that all those cases where I could not find the announcement (municipalities, TAO, districts) these are in fact simply filed under a wrong title - and maybe I even already have them in my XMLs, but did not look into them and process them since the caption suggests that they are on something of less importance. For example I have done only very few of the subdistrict are changes so far, but there are many hundreds of such announcements.

But now the three cases of wrongly titled announcements I ran across recently.
  • Reassign of Muban in Mueang Satun in 1971, with the important part of the title reading ตั้งและเปลี่ยนแปลงเขตตำบล (create and change area of subdistrict) instead of เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตตำบล (change area of subdistrict).
  • Reassign of Muban in Krabi in 1968, with the same title mistake.
  • Tambon boundary definition of Taling Chan, Chana, Songkhla in 1993. In fact, this one I at first processed as a subdistrict creation, just wondered why it did not list the subdistrict from which the area was taken. Luckily I did not post the statistics for the 1990s before I spotted this. Here, the important part of the title reads ตั้งและกำหนดเขตตำบล instead of การกำหนดเขตตำบล, so also the wrong word for create.
And I have already found one case the other way round. As the geocodes for the subdistricts created since around 1980 are always added at end, I knew there was one subdistrict announcement missing in Cha-Am. So I simply checked the area change announcements for Cha-Am, and there was it - Volume 104, Issue 123 ง, Pages 4520ff. of June 30 1987 is indexed with เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตตำบล (change of subdistrict area), lacking the ตั้งและ (create and), quite similar to the one mentioned in the introduction on sanitary districts.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Number of administrative entities 1893-1899

When browsing through the scans I have done of Tej Bunnags book "The provincial administration of Siam", I noticed that Appendix 5 gives the numbers of the subdivisions within several of the circles (monthon).

MonthonDistrictsSubdistrictsVillages
Ayutthaya254794,447
Burapha1380800
Chumphon151521,515
Nakhon Chaisi112541,571
Nakhon Ratchasima7-378
Nakhon Sawan205061,845
Nakhon Sithammarat172322,669
Phitsanulok198254,006
Prachinburi1686390
Ratburi205061,845
Sum1632,76920,495

Kedah, Phetchabun, Phuket, and Udon are missing, the author wasn't able to find them in his source. He suspects that this was due to the fact that Kedah resisted the thesaphiban reform, while the other three were just created a short time ago and thus the new system wasn't established completely yet and thus did not report the numbers to Bangkok.

The mean number of each subdivision is somewhat different from today - 17.0 subdistricts per district is more than double the current value of 8.2; the villages per subdistrict has changed less strikingly from 7.4 to 10.3.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Municipal decisions for August 15 2008

Meeting number 63 from August 15 2008 with one TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipality.
  • Ton Tan-Phraya Thot (เทศบาลตำบลต้นตาล-พระยาทด), Sao Hai district, Saraburi province, effective September 5 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 21.50 km², 15 villages and 3,803 citizen.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Municipal decisions from July 16 2007

Meeting number 55 from July 16 2008 with 5 TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipalities.
  • Khlong Phra Udom (เทศบาลตำบลคลองพระอุดม), Lat Lum Kaeo district, Pathum Thani province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 22.5 km², 7 villages and 5,156 citizen.
  • Hat Asa (เทศบาลตำบลหาดอาษา), Sapphaya district, Chainat province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 29.49 km², 9 villages and 6,866 citizen.
  • Taluk (เทศบาลตำบลตลุก), Sapphaya district, Chainat province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 50.42 km², 12 villages and 9,173 citizen.
  • Pho Nang Dam Ok (เทศบาลตำบลโพนางดำออก), Sapphaya district, Chainat province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 28.02 km², 8 villages and 5,789 citizen.
  • Pho Ngam (เทศบาลตำบลโพงาม), Sankhaburi district, Chainat province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 46.50 km², 13 villages and 7,860 citizen.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Administrative history of Pattani

The three southernmost provinces of Thailand - Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala - have always been a trouble area, not just with the onset of the current sprawl of terroristic attacks since 2004 and the sometimes brutal reactions of the Thai military or police, like the Tak Bai incident. One of the keys to understand these problems is the history of the area, and as I focus on the administrative subdivisions in this blog I will just list the main changes within these provinces in the past.

Woodcut titled Triumphal procession near the city of Patani
The sultanate of Patani - even during its heyday in the 17th century under the consecutive rule of four queens - was required to pay tribute to the Siamese king in Ayutthaya, but also tried to liberate itself by rebellion which were always fought back, so it only had short intervals of independence. The woodcut to the right titled "Triumphal procession near the city of Patani" dates from this most glorious period of Pattanis history. After the fall of Ayutthaya Patani enjoyed its last period of independence, until it was returned into submission by the vice-king of Rama I. During this campaign the important cannon named Phraya Tani (or Seri Patani in Malay) was taken as booty to Bangkok, where it is still on display in front of the Ministry of Defense.

Phaya Tani cannonFurther attempts of rebellion then made King Rama II divide the sultanate into 7 Mueang to reduce the power base of the ruler of Patani and introduce competitions and power struggle between the new city states.

The seven Mueang created in 1817 were Pattani, Nong Chik, Sai Buri (Teluban), Yala (Jala), Yaring (Jambu), Ra-ngae (Legeh) and Raman. They all were made subordinate of the governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat (Ligor) and later of Songkhla.

The incorporation of these seven states into a centrally governed country began 1874-1892, when the area became known as Khaek Chet Huamueang (แขกเจ็ดหัวเมือง, Seven Malay States). With the thesaphiban reforms under the first minister of Interior, Prince Damrong, this integration was put further. In 1901 the name for the are was changed to Boriwen Chet Huamueang (บริเวณเจ็ดหัวเมือง), and in 1906 the area power of the Malay province governors was reduced considerably with the creation of the Monthon Pattani (see Gazette announcement). The monthon governor was a government official sent from Bangkok, while the province governors till then was a mostly hereditary post of a local aristocracy. After the hereditary provincial governor died they were replaced with government official sent from the central government.

The 1909 treaty with Britain on the southern boundary of Siam finalized the inclusion of Pattani into Siam, and is thus often quoted as the annexation of Pattani. In fact it was just the last step of the integration into the modern nation state, which already begun with the defeat in 1785.

Sometime between around the set up of the Monthon and 1917 three of the seven Mueang were abolished, but I haven't yet found the details on this, especially the year and the Royal Gazette announcement - sadly the announcement on the monthon creation does not list the constituent provinces. I could however find the last mention of Mueang Raman in the Gazette in 1909, yet that wasn't on its abolishment. The center of Ra-ngae was also changed towards the coast in this time, and in 1915 it was renamed from Bang Nara (บางนรา) to its modern name Narathiwat (Gazette announcement).

Finally in 1932, the Monthon Pattani was incorporated into the Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat (Gazette announcement), and just a year later the Monthon system was abolished altogether.

Together with the abolishment of Monthon Pattani, the province Sai Buri was abolished, reducing the former 7 Mueang finally into the modern day 3 province. The northern part of Sai Buri was attached to Pattani, the southern part went to Narathiwat.

There is one piece I could not confirm yet - in the Wikipedia article on Songkhla someone claimed that the tree districts at the border to Pattani - Chana, Thepa and Saba Yoi - were reassigned from Pattani to Songkhla, but instead of a year it was only quoted as "recently". When I found the list of all districts in 1917 I could at least rule out that recently means in the last decades but if correct it happened at the beginning of the 20th century. But so far I could not find the relevant Royal Gazette announcement on this.

Southern provinces of Thailand and neighboring Malay states
To go down one administrative level, that 1917 list gives the names of all the districts within the Monthon Pattani, a total number of 19 district and 2 minor districts - today there are 33. Of the districts existing in 1917 just one has been abolished - the minor district Kalapho (กะลาพอ) in Sai Buri was abolished in 1938 (Gazette announcement) and incorporated into Taluban (now named Sai Buri) district. All the other listed in 1917 have only experienced name changes, area changes and new districts splitting off. There was one more district which only existed temporarily - in 1935 the minor district Pa Cho (ปาโจ) was created covering the western part of the district Tomo (โต๊ะโมะ, Gazette). 1939 Tomo was renamed to Waeng, and Pa Cho to Tomo (Gazette), and in 1953 Tomo was abolished (Gazette). Most of its former area now forms the district Sukhirin.

The two-volumed book Hikayat Patani is on the chronicle of the sultanate, however this source end in the first half of the 19th century. The second book on the history of Pattani was written under a pseudonym, nothing is know about the author. For the early history it relies on the Hikayat Patani, but it continues till the middle of the 20th century.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Muban number per subdistrict

As of the end of 2007, there were 7,255 subdistrict and 74,944 muban, this means in average each subdistrict contains 10 muban. There are subdistricts which contain no muban at all - if the subdistrict is completely within a city or town (thesaban nakhon and thesaban mueang) the muban loose their meaning and are no longer maintained. But for the other subdistricts the number of muban can vary quite a bit as well.

The highest values I have come across so far are 30 muban in Huai Sak (ห้วยสัก), Mueang district, Chiang Rai, and 29 muban Ban Rai (บ้านไร่), Lat Yao district, Nakhon Sawan. The lowest non-zero number is 2 in Ban Khuan Mut (ตำบลบ้านควนมุด), Chulabhorn district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. However as I still have no complete muban list the above is just a snapshop of my current data, and I also cannot give more statistics yet like the most common number of muban, the standard deviation from the mean value and so on.

Those 30 weren't the highest number: the subdistrict Sap Samo Thot in Phetchabun had 35 muban in 1970, when two subdistricts were carved out of it, as can be read in the corresponding Gazette announcement.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Creation of Chiang Rai

The town (Mueang) Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 by King Mangrai, who expanded his kingdom from the town of Ngoen Yang (now Chiang Saen) and founded new towns - first Chiang Rai, and then later Chiang Mai. His kingdom thereafter became known as Lan Na, which existed until it was absorbed into Siam in the beginning of the 20th century.

The founding of Chiang Rai is described in the Chiang Mai chronicle in the translation of late David K. Wyatt.
Not long afterwards, the auspicious elephant of King Mangrai ran loose north of a mountain to the east. The king followed the track of the elephant and beheld a country on the banks of the Kok River, flanked by a single beauteous hill. He thought, "When Grandfather Lao Cong built a home for / my Grandfather Lao Kao, I heard that it was [founded] at the base of Mount Pha Rao. When Grandfather Lao Khriang built M. Ngoen Yang, he built it nestled between three mountains, namely Dòi Thung, Dòi Tha, and Dòi Ya Thao, which was very good, so I should likewise make [mountains] the navel of the town in its center. So King Mangrai / built a [fortified] city around Dòi Còm Thòng, which he made the center of the city. It was built in the tao set year, 624 of the Era (1262/63), and was named Chiang Rai.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Gazette announcement published before approval?

The announcements in the Royal Gazette usually have three dates. One is the date of publication, another the date when the announcement becomes effective, and finally the date when the announcement was approved. While the date of becoming effective can be before the publication or even the approval, one would expect that the publication always follows after the approval.

Yet, I now ran across one publication which apparently was published before it was signed for approval. The creation of the subdistricts Phu Toei (พุเตย) and Sam Yaek (สามแยก), Wichian Buri district, Phetchabun in 1967, VOlume 84, Issue 38 ง, pages 1407-1412 was published on May 2 1967 and became effective on May 1. The strange is that in the very last part it reads
ประกาศ วันที่ ๒๔ พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๑๐
ถ. สุนทรศารทูล
ปลัดกระทรวงมหาดไทย
which translated to "announced on May 24 2510 [1967], Th. Sunthorn Santun, Minister of Interior. So this announcement was published in the Royal Gazette three weeks before the Interior Minister was about to sign it. Either this was an unnoticed mistake and should have read "April 24", or it was anticipated that he will sign this announcement no earlier and no later than that exact date, but the publication could not wait.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Tambon creations in the 1990s (Part 2)

As promised, here are the results for the subdistrict creations in the 1990s.

There are a total of 318 announcements, which cover 494 newly created subdistricts. As it was easier for to sort by the date of publication - a few announcements have been published in the year following their date of being effective - this means for each of the years the following numbers:
  • 1996: 33 subdistricts in 20 announcements
  • 1995: 63 subdistricts in 32 announcements
  • 1994: 9 subdistricts in 6 announcements
  • 1993: 122 subdistricts in 95 announcements
  • 1992: 73 subdistricts in 49 announcements
  • 1991: 104 subdistricts in 69 announcements
  • 1990: 90 subdistricts in 46 announcements
The province in which most subdistricts were created is Nakhon Ratchasima with 34.The highest number of muban in a newly created subdistrict was 15 in Thoet Thai (เทอดไทย), Mae Chan district (but now in Mae Fa Luang district), Chiang Rai, followed by two subdistrict which had 13. The one with the lowest number was Ban Khuan Mut (ตำบลบ้านควนมุด), Chulabhorn district, Nakhon Si Thammarat with only 2. The most common number of muban in a new subdistrict was 8, which is also close to the mean value of 7.6, with a standard deviation is 0.7.

So, now I have to turn to the 532 announcements in the 1980s, not just a bigger number, but also more complicate because many more of the subdistricts have already change into new districts since then. By the way, for the I have 369 announcements for the 1970s, 137 for the 1960s, and just 47 in the 1950s. And in 1946/47 there were a few announcements with the simultaneous creation of hundreds of subdistricts, so I won't run out of work on this topic anytime soon.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Municipal decisions from July 11 2008

Meeting number 54 from July 11 2008 with 7 TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipalities.
  • Tha Sila (เทศบาลตำบลท่าศิลา), Song Dao district, Sakon Nakhon province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 100.25 km², 13 villages and 10,513 citizen.
  • Thung Kula (เทศบาลตำบลทุ่งกุลา), Tha Tum district, Roi Et province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 47 km², 14 villages and 7,319 citizen.
  • Nong Samet (เทศบาลตำบลหนองเสม็ด), Mueang Trat district, Trat province, effective July 24 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 23 km², 7 villages and 6,717 citizen.
  • Khok Sung (เทศบาลตำบลโคกสูง), Nong Han district, Udon Thani province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was originally named Nong Mek (หนองเม็ก) and was renamed as the central part of the subdistrict already contains a subdistrict municipality named Nong Mek. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 69.7 km², 13 villages and 6,389 citizen.
  • Wang Sawan (เทศบาลตำบลวังสวรรค์), Ban Haet district, Khon Kaen province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was originally named Ban Haet (บ้านแฮด) and was renamed as the central part of the subdistrict already contains a subdistrict municipality named Ban Haet. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 59 km², 7 villages and 2,184 citizen.
  • Thung Thong (เทศบาลตำบลทุ่งทอง), Ban Khwao district, Chaiyaphum province, effective July 17 2008. The TAO was originally named Ban Khwao (บ้านเขว้า) and was renamed as the central part of the subdistrict already contains a subdistrict municipality named Ban Khwao. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 61.33 km², 17 villages and 6,375 citizen.
  • Rang Wai (เทศบาลตำบลรางหวาย), Phanom Thuan district, Kanchanaburi province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 54.21 km², 20 villages and 6,920 citizen.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Municipal decisions from July 7 2008

Meeting number 52 from July 7 2008 with 6 TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipalities.
  • Huai Lan (เทศบาลตำบลห้วยลาน), Dok Khamtai district, Phayao province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 88.84 km², 16 villages and 9,143 citizen.
  • Up Mung (เทศบาลตำบลอูบมุง), Nong Wua So district, Udon Thani province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 107.17 km², 10 villages and 8,692 citizen.
  • Nong Bua Takiat (เทศบาลตำบลหนองบัวตะเกียด), Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 70.73 km², 15 villages and 9,729 citizen.
  • That (เทศบาลตำบลธาตุ), Chiang Khan district, Loei province, effective July 16 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 160 km², 16 villages and 9,594 citizen.
  • Krachan (เทศบาลตำบลกระจัน), U Thong district, Suphanburi province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 31.52 km², 10 villages and 7,061 citizen.
  • Bang Khut (เทศบาลตำบลบางขุด), Sankhaburi district, Chainat province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 47 km², 12 villages and 7,433 citizen.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Judiciary system in 1904

After I wrote on the judiciary subdivision of the country, the corresponding section from The Kingdom of Siam: 1904 is interesting to compare, as it both describes the old system and the then newly established one.

The Ministry of justice is quite a recent creation, as previous to the year 1892 there were as many jurisdictions as departments, and each de­partment frequently tried cases concerning themselves either as defendants or plaintiffs. There were restrictions on their arbitrary powers, but these restrictions were often overridden by a powerful head of a department. The board in whose hands the decision of an appeal was sup­posed to lie were not strong enough to enforce any judgment affecting the department of a strong minister or against an influential nobleman. Be­sides the courts there existed what might be called the germ of a Ministry of Justice in the board named Lukkhun. This board dealt with cases which were not directly concerned with the departments and with any appeals which the departments were pleased to send to them. But they had no real power. The work of deciding cases was divided amongst different sets of officials. The actual recording of evidence was done by the Talakarn (or judges); the guilt or responsibility of the parties was decided on the records by the Lukkhun. The Pooprap, or officials, who were supposed to know the law, fixed the punishment or amount of judgment.

All judicial officials received only nominal salaries, and it can be well understood that chaos reigned supreme, and that justice was only likely to be done when money and influence were on the side of the plaintiff.

In the provinces the executive officers acted as judges, and could do pretty well as they pleased. In 1892 the Ministry of Justice was established, and all the judicial functions of the various depart­ments, with the exception of the military
and naval courts and the palace court, were consolidated under the control of a Minister of Justice. This change was confined to Bangkok at first, but in 1895 all the central provinces were brought under the same control. The outlying provinces of Petchaboon, Udawn, Isarn, and parts of the Malay States still remain as before, but ap­peal from the courts in these districts are now for­warded to the Appeal Court at Bangkok. It is intended to incorporate the whole of the interior gradually, as time and money will permit.

At present every province is divided into Muangs with a District Court (San Muang) capable of trying cases up to five thousand ticals in value
and criminal cases involving punishment not exceeding ten years imprisonment. An appeal lies to the Circle Court (San Monthon), established in the capital of each province. This court is capable of dealing with every kind of case, both civil and criminal, and the cases from the District Court and those entered originally in the Circle Court are subject to appeal to Bangkok. The Bangkok Ap­peal Court is in two divisions, one of five judges dealing with appeals from the provinces, and one of three dealing with appeals from Bangkok and from the provinces not yet incorporated under this ministry.

A final appeal lies to His Majesty the King, who has delegated his duties to the tribunal composed of five members commissioned under the Royal Sign Manual. This tribunal may be termed the Supreme Court of Appeal (San Dika).

Thursday, September 18, 2008

DOPA announcements as RSS feeds

I usually manually checked the website of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) to see if anything interesting happens. They have three sections there where they post new topics - one for commands (หนังสือสั่งการ), news (ข่าวประชาสัมพันธ์) and a miscellaneous section (เรื่องน่ารู้). The first two sections have also subpages with the older topics. But - opening a website in the browser only to check if any new announcements were posted is not necessary anymore since the inventions of RSS feeds. Just sadly DOPA did not provide any feeds for their site - but it's not the only such Thai website where a feed would be handy.

Now, by coincidence I found the Yahoo pipes, which make it very use to mash-up several feeds into one, or to filter for specific keywords. That is already helpful as I have some feeds on general topics where I want to filter out those about Thailand, as it is those I am most interested in. But those pipes can do much more than that, following a great tutorial I have been plumbing around for some hours and finally succeeded to create RSS feeds for those three sections of the DOPA website and one for the news on amphoe.com. As long as they don't change the HTML framework on their sites these pipes now automagically parse and convert the HTML tables into the RSS XML. Just one thing is missing - the automatic translation of the titles into English, I still have to check with a dictionary if the new topic is anything important to me.

Of course everyone is free to use these feeds, and any help to improve them further is welcome. And now finally, here is the link to those pipes.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Regions of the Public Relations Department

As I mentioned before, the regions nowadays are not clearly defined, and even the different departments or ministries of the government use their own definition. While the ones used in the census data and those by the Ministry of Interior are probably the most important ones, they are by far not the only region definitions used. The Public Relations Department (PRD, กรมประชาสัมพันธ์) is subdivided into 8 regional offices, each responsible for several provinces. Each of these regional offices works as a news agency for their area, so on the websites of each regions one can find all the local news - sadly only in Thai. Apparently each of the regional offices creates their website independently, thus their all have a different look, some display quite ugly in Firefox and only work well in Internet Explorer, some have a RSS feeds for their news while most don't have one. But almost all are cluttered with bitmaps, animations or sliding texts, definitely not looking like being made by a professional web designer.
  1. Region 1: Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, Nong Bua Lamphu
  2. Region 2: Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin, Buriram, Yasothon, Roi Et, Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom
  3. Region 3: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit
  4. Region 4: Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani
  5. Region 5: Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon, Ranong, Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket
  6. Region 6: Trang, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Yala, Songkhla, Satun
  7. Region 7: Chanthaburi, Rayong, Trat, Chonburi, Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan
  8. Region 8: Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphanburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Chainat, Samut Songkhram, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Lopburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi
Bangkok itself is not part of any of the regional offices, and strangely Uttaradit is claimed on two of the regional websites.

The above regional outline is in effect since 1997, a historic of the regional offices can be found at the PRD website.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sanitary district Ang Sila

Vihan Thep Sathit
I just found one of the missing municipality announcements, the one for Ang Sila (อ่างศิลา) in Chonburi. In fact, I already had that one in my list of announcements, but it was one of the many I still haven't processed. For the municipalities (and the sanitary districts) I have only done the creations and abolishments so far, but left out the area changes for later. But this missing announcement hide itself in one of these - the change of area of Saen Suk (แสนสุข) was done together with the creation of the sanitary district Ang Sila. The announcement (Volume 104, Issue 118 ง, Pages 4216-4220) is titled ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตสุขาภิบาลแสนสุขและจัดตั้งสุขาภิบาลอ่างศิลา อำเภอเมืองชลบุรี จังหวัดชลบุรี (Announcement of the Ministry of Interior on change of area of sanitary district Saen Suk and creation of sanitary district Ang Sila, Mueang Chonburi district, Chonburi province). But - in the Royal Gazette database this announcement is filed under a slightly different title, leaving out the "จัดตั้ง" (create, setup), thus it read like there was just a change of area for both sanitary districts.

The photo shows the Chinese shrine Vihan Thep Sathit (วิหารเทพสถิตพระกิติเฉลิม), which is located within the area of Ang Sila municipality. I will feature it in my "Unseen Thailand" blog once I have the time to research a bit on it and write it down.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Samui municipal elections - results

The municipal elections on Samui are over, and the results according to nathoncity.com are the following:
  • New mayor is  Ramnet Jaikwang (รามเนตร ใจกว้าง) with 16,016 votes or 63%.
  • Also his party, the Samui Kaona Party (สมุยก้าวหน้า), has made a landslide victory, as out of the 18 councilors of the new town council 17 are of this party. Only one candidate of the Phattana Samui Party (พัฒนาสมุย) made it into the council.
  • The voter turnout was at 75%.
On Samui Weather there's a report on the voting day including photos of the ballot station within Ban Plaim Laem school in the northeast of the island. Some photos of the counting can be seen on here and here.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Municipal decisions from July 4 2008

Meeting number 51 from July 4 2008 with 14 TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipalities.

  • Chum Chang (เทศบาลตำบลจุมจัง), Kuchinarai district, Kalasin province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 59.50 km², 15 villages and 9,201 citizen.

  • Na Than (เทศบาลตำบลนาทัน), Kham Muang district, Kalasin province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 94 km², 14 villages and 13,816 citizen.

  • Phanna (เทศบาลตำบลพันนา), Sawang Daen Din district, Sakon Nakhon province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 49 km², 12 villages and 7,042 citizen.

  • Huai Lua (เทศบาลตำบลห้วยหลัว), Ban Muang district, Sakon Nakhon province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 75 km², 9 villages and 7,291 citizen.

  • Kham Bo (เทศบาลตำบลคำบ่อ), Waritchaphum district, Sakon Nakhon province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 145.13 km², 18 villages and 13,439 citizen.

  • Samakkhi Phatthana (เทศบาลตำบลสามัคคีพัฒนา), Akat Amnuai district, Sakon Nakhon province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 77.42 km², 10 villages and 8,536 citizen.

  • Nam Cho (เทศบาลตำบลน้ำโจ้), Mae Tha district, Lampang province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 62 km², 9 villages and 10,340 citizen.

  • Mae Tha (เทศบาลตำบลแม่ทะ), Mae Tha district, Lampang province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 122 km², 10 villages and 6,736 citizen.

  • Thawon (เทศบาลตำบลถาวร), Lahan Sai district, Buriram province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 101 km², 11 villages and 7,391 citizen.

  • Samrong Mai (เทศบาลตำบลสำโรงใหม่), Lahan Sai district, Buriram province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 206 km², 14 villages and 12,052 citizen.

  • Si Tia (เทศบาลตำบลศรีเตี้ย), Ban Hong district, Lamphun province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 29.50 km², 9 villages and 5,956 citizen.

  • Makok (เทศบาลตำบลมะกอก), Pa Sang district, Lamphun province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 48 km², 9 villages and 5,662 citizen.

  • Mae Pong (เทศบาลตำบลแม่โป่ง), Doi Saket district, Chiang Mai province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 19931, covers 47.80 km², 10 villages and 5,629 citizen.

  • Taling Chan (เทศบาลตำบลตลิ่งชัน), Ban Dan Lan Hoi district, Sukhothai province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 334 km², 10 villages and 9,351 citizen.

  • Ma-ue (เทศบาลตำบลมะอึ), Ban Dan Thawat Buri district, Roi Et province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 20 km², 10 villages and 5,501 citizen.


1 Must be a typo, it was created in 1997.

Thung Kula, Tha Tum district, Roi Et province was also on the agenda, but the decision was delayed to July 11.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Municipal decisions from July 3 2008

Meeting number 50 from July 3 2008 with 15 TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipalities.
  • Itue (เทศบาลตำบลอิตื้อ), Yang Talat district, Kalasin province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 31 km², 12 villages and 9,183 citizen.
  • Chun (เทศบาลตำบลจุน), Chun district, Phayao province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 129 km², 17 villages and 9,617 citizen.
  • Ban Tam (เทศบาลตำบลบ้านต๊ำ), Mueang Phayao district, Phayao province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 142.23 km², 13 villages and 7,385 citizen.
  • Fai Khwang (เทศบาลตำบลบ้านต๊ำ), Chiang Kham district, Phayao province, effective July 17 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 112 km², 17 villages and 8,718 citizen.
  • Nong Wa (เทศบาลตำบลหนองหว้า), Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 57.10 km², 11 villages and 7,873 citizen.
  • Chiang Wae (เทศบาลตำบลเชียงแหว), Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 44 km², 13 villages and 8,867 citizen.
  • Champi (เทศบาลตำบลจำปี), Si That district, Udon Thani province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 91.5 km², 17 villages and 7,990 citizen.
  • Ban That (เทศบาลตำบลบ้านธาตุ), Si That district, Udon Thani province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 92 km², 20 villages and 16,330 citizen.
  • Banlang (เทศบาลตำบลบัลลังก์), Non Thai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 88.40 km², 19 villages and 8,917 citizen.
  • Pla Lo (เทศบาลตำบลปลาโหล), Waritchaphum district, Sakon Nakhon province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 115 km², 16 villages and 11,946 citizen.
  • Chai Nat (เทศบาลตำบลชัยนาท), Mueang Chainat district, Chainat province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 30 km², 9 villages and 8,306 citizen. This new municipality should not be confused with the town Chainat, which is located in the same district but covers the subdistrict Nai Mueang and a few neighboring areas.
  • Khlong Yai (เทศบาลตำบลคลองใหญ่), Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 193.50 km², 7 villages and 4,300 citizen.
  • Hat Thanong (เทศบาลตำบลหาดทนง), Mueang Uthai Thani district, Uthai Thani province, effective September 5 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 9.99 km², 7 villages and 2,074 citizen.
  • Mae Pu Kha (เทศบาลตำบลแม่ปูคา), San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai province, effective September 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1997, covers 23 km², 9 villages and 5,887 citizen.
  • Tha Mai Ruak (เทศบาลตำบลท่าไม้รวก), Tha Yang district, Phetchaburi province, effective October 17 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 117.44 km², 13 villages and 8,930 citizen.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Amphoe reassignments in the last century

Map of Thailand with the provincial boundaries as of 1915As a supplement to the earlier post on the creations and abolishments of provinces in the last century, there are also several cases where districts were reassigned to different provinces. But even with this list there's still no complete history of territorial changes of the provinces, as there are cases where single subdistricts were reassigned as well, for example in the creation of Doem Bang district in 1911, which additionally to area from Suphanburi got two subdistricts from each of the provinces Chainat and Singburi as well. There are also several Royal Gazette announcements which reassign single subdistricts or even just several villages between the provinces. When reading the table don't forget that in most cases the districts were much larger at those days, as several new districts were split off from them in the meantime.
  • The three southern districts of Surat Thani - Lamphun (now Ban Na San), Phrasaeng and Phanom - were reassigned from Nakhon Si Thammarat in 1906.
  • Also in 1906 the district Phrasong (nowadays Tha Chana) was moved from Lang Suan to Chaiya, enlarging the present day Surat Thani in the north as well.
  • Also in 1906, Mueang Klaeng (now simply Klaeng) changed from Chanthaburi to Rayong.
  • The district Yi-ngo was reassigned from Sai Buri to Bang Nara (now Narathiwat) in 1909.
  • Umphang (then still named Mae Khlong) was originally part of Uthai Thani, but was reassigned to Kamphaeng Phet in 1911.
  • 1917 the district Chai Buri (now Bueng Kan) was reassigned from Nakhon Phanom to Nong Khai
  • 1919 Chai Badan was reassigned from Phetchabun to Saraburi.
  • 1923 Tha Pla was reassigned from Nan to Uttaradit
  • 1925 Fang was reassigned from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
  • 1926 Umphang was finally reassigned to Tak.
  • 1927 Phra Khanong was reassigned from Phra Pradaeng to Phra Nakhon.
  • The district Det Udom and its minor district Phon Ngam, later upgraded and renamed to Buntharik, were reassigned from Khu Khan (now Si Sa Ket) to Ubon Ratchathani in 1928
  • 1931 the district Long was reassigned from Lampang to Phrae.
  • When the province Min Buri was abolished in 1932, Nong Chok was assigned to Chachoengsao. It was however reassigned to Phra Nakhon in 1933.
  • 1937 the district Tha Maka was reassigned from Ratchaburi to Kanchanaburi, only the subdistrict Lat Bua Khao stayed with Ratchaburi and was added to Ban Pong district
  • Chai Badan was reassigned from Saraburi to Lopburi in 1941.
  • 1943 Ban Pong district was reassigned from Ratchaburi to Kanchanaburi, which was undone in 1946.
  • The minor district Tha Song Yang was reassigned from Mae Hong Son to Tak in 1948.
  • 1952/1953 the district Pong was reassigned from Nan to Chiang Rai, except the subdistrict Sa-iat, which was added to Song district, Phrae province.
The above list may not be complete yet, so if I missed any such change please notify me. Especially for the time before the thesaphiban reforms finished and the names of the structures were unified it's quite possible I missed some. The first complete list of districts I have is from 1917, and from that time on I am rather confident I have catched all changes.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Full list of Bangkok governor candidates

Now the registration period is over, 16 candidates for the Bangkok gubernatorial elections will be on the ballot paper. The full list according to Manager (transcription as of Bangkok Post):
  1. Mr Kittisak Thirawisit (กิตติศักดิ์ ถิรวิศิษฎ์)
  2. Dr Kriangsak Charoenwongsak (เกรียงศักดิ์ เจริญวงศ์ศักดิ์)
  3. Capt Metha Temchamnarn (เมตตา เต็มชำนาญ), Klummet Tatham Party
  4. Mr Warawut Thanangkorn (วราวุธ ฐานังกร)
  5. Mr Apirak Kosayodhin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน), Democratic Party, incumbent governor
  6. Mr Sumet Tanthanasirikul (สุเมธ ตันธนาศิริกุล), Krung Thep Phatthana Party
  7. Ms Leena Jungjanja (ลีนา จังจรรจา)
  8. Mr Chuwit Kamolvisit (ชูวิทย์ กมลวิศิษฎ์)
  9. Mr Wittaya Jangkobpattana (วิทยา จังกอบพัฒนา)
  10. Mr Prapat Chongsa-nguan (ประภัสร์ จงสงวน), People Power Party
  11. Mr Popsak Panseethong (ภพศักดิ์ ปานสีทอง)
  12. Mrs Toranee Ritheethamdamrong (ธรณี ฤทธีธรรมรงค์)
  13. Mr Udom Viboonteppachat (อุดม วิบูลเทพาชาติ)
  14. Mrs Vachiraporn Aayooyuen (วชิราภรณ์ อายุยืน), Public Party
  15. Mr Somchai Paiboon (สมชาย ไพบูลย์)
  16. Mr Nipon
    Simprayoon (นิพนธ์ ซิ้มประยูร)
To see the whole list with photos for each candidate take a look at the special page of Bangkok Post on the elections.

When I listed the first 10 I also mentioned Natthakorn Devakula, who in fact was the first one who made his intentions public to run in these election. But apparently he had changed his mind since then, as he did not register.

Of all these candidates, real chances for the post are only for the incumbent Apirak, the PPP candidate Prapat and much less likely Chuwit. The other candidates will only get notable with their strange policies, for example candidate number 2 nicknamed Dr Dan who promises free WLAN for all of Bangkok on this poster published in a German blog.

As with the previous elections, 2bangkok will cover the election campaigns and elections itself well, where already several other posters have been posted and translated.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Mit offenen Karten

Le Dessous des Cartes or Mit offenen Karten is a weekly French TV documentary presenting one specific topic of geopolitical significance and explaining its backgrounds with maps, mostly topics which were recently in the news. The German title translates to with open maps, but it's also a wordplay with the poker term open cards. The French title is something like the backside of maps, though I am not sure since I don't speak French. The program is originally in French, but as it is shown on the German-French culture channel arte there's also a German dubbed version. I usually miss to view it since they moved it from showing on Wednesday to Saturday, but when it was still in the Wednesday slot there was once a presentation on Thailand. Thailand - ein Putsch mit ungewissen Folgen (La Thailande: Coup d'état a risques) was shown on January 21 2007. The topic was the coup d'etat of September 2006 which removed prime minister Thaksin from power.

The details on that specific presentation is still available on the arte website (German or French) with maps and their explanation, as well as some bibliography and internet resources on the topic. Sadly the videos of programs on arte are only available in a rather expensive video on demand site, where they are additionally locked with digital rights management and only allowing downloads from Germany and France. Thus it's no wonder there are many (illegal) upload on youtube, yet I could find this specific show only in different websites, one for the French and one for the German version.

Looking though the archive I notice that in 2003 it had another on on Thailand. That program was on water problems in various parts of the world, including the problems with overuse of the groundwater resources in Bangkok.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Samui municipal elections

The municipal elections of the new town Ko Samui (เทศบาลเมืองเกาะสมุย) will take place on September 13, with three contenders who have chances to win the mayor post.
  • Varakorn Rattanarak (วรากรณ์ รัตนรักษ์), Phattana Samui Party (พัฒนาสมุย)
  • Ramnet Jaikwang (รามเนตร ใจกว้าง), Samui Kaona Party (สมุยก้าวหน้า)
  • Prayad Meepain (ประหยัด มีเพียร), Rak Samui Party (รักสมุย)
In a poll from early August Ramnet Jaikwang was the leading candidate with 43%, while the previous mayor Varakorn Rattanarak only got 28%.

As posted before, the election was delayed a bit due to controversial changes in the constituency outline. The boundaries were officially announced in the Royal Gazette on August 22 (Volume 125, Issue 95 ก, Pages 74-76) titled ประกาศคณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง เรื่อง การแบ่งเขตเลือกตั้งสมาชิกสภาเทศบาลในจังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี (เทศบาลเมืองเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย) (Announcement of the election committee on the setup of constituencies for municipal councils in Surat Thani province [town municipality Ko Samui, Ko Samui district]).

With this announcement, the area of the municipality got divided into three constituencies, which each will send six representatives into the municipal council. All three constituencies have about 17,000 eligible voters. Constituency 1 in the northeast of the island covers the subdistricts Ang Thong, Lipa Noi and villages 4, 5 and 6 of Mae Nam; constituency 2 covers the southern island with the subdistricts Taling Ngam, Na Mueang and Maret; and constituency 3 the northeast with subdistrict Bo Phut and village 1,2 and 3 of Mae Nam.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Province 77 movie

Thai movie poster of Province 77
Some time ago, the Wikipedia article on the subdivisions of Thailand included the trivia that Los Angeles is called the 77th Thai province due to the high number of Thai people living there. To add to the name play, the name Los Angeles means "city of angels", just like the first part of the Thai name of Bangkok, Krung Thep. But so far I did not see any real source using the name. But now I at least know one, the 2002 movie Province 77 (in Thai: จังหวัด 77) set in Hollywood. I just learned about it by Google, I haven't seen it yet - but Thai movies are rarely shown in German TV anyway, and it wasn't among those movies shown two years ago on the German-French culture channel arte. The only other place I happened to see Thai movies are the overland VIP buses, which usually show one movie at the start of the overnight journey. So it seems I have to find the VCD of this movie when I am in Bangkok next time, even though I normally don't like these action movies.

Also Wisekwai's Thai movie blog has only a short mention of the DVD of this movie, also the Internet Movie Database does not give much. I could only find the soundtrack of the movie was done by the Thai hip hop band Thaitanium.

The intro and the first scenes can be found on YouTube.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Municipal decisions from July 2 2008

Meeting number 49 from July 2 2008 with 15 TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipalities.
  • Pa Phai (เทศบาลตำบลป่าไผ่), San Sai district, Chiang Mai province, effective July 17 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 48.62 km², 13 villages and 8,751 citizen.
  • Luang Nuea (เทศบาลตำบลลวงเหนือ), Doi Saket district, Chiang Mai province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 107 km², 10 villages and 6,108 citizen.
  • Bo Luang (เทศบาลตำบลบ่อหลวง), Hot district, Chiang Mai province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 402.65 km², 13 villages and 10,411 citizen.
  • Yang Hom (เทศบาลตำบลยางฮอม), Khun Tan district, Chiang Rai province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 134.80 km², 21 villages and 11,727 citizen.
  • Pa O Don Chai (เทศบาลตำบลป่าอ้อดอนชัย), Mueang Chiang Rai district, Chiang Rai province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 72 km², 21 villages and 9,923 citizen.
  • Nong Tum (เทศบาลตำบลหนองตูม), Mueang Khon Kaen district, Khon Kaen province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 33 km², 11 villages and 7,671 citizen.
  • Non Thon (เทศบาลตำบลโนนท่อน), Mueang Khon Kaen district, Khon Kaen province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 35.88 km², 14 villages and 9,422 citizen.
  • Samran (เทศบาลตำบลสำราญ), Mueang Khon Kaen district, Khon Kaen province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 46.90 km², 13 villages and 9,510 citizen.
  • Khaem Son (เทศบาลตำบลแคมป์สน), Mueang Khon Kaen district, Phetchabun province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 91 km², 14 villages and 5,275 citizen.
  • Pa Maet (เทศบาลตำบลป่าแมต), Mueang Phrae district, Phrae province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 60 km², 15 villages and 12,152 citizen.
  • Ban Lao (เทศบาลตำบลบ้านเหล่า), Mae Chai district, Phayao province, effective July 17 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 99.15 km², 14 villages and 8,110 citizen.
  • Mueang Bua (เทศบาลตำบลเมืองบัว), Kaset Wisai district, Roi Et province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 67.53 km², 13 villages and 8,618 citizen.
  • Don Sai (เทศบาลตำบลดอนทราย), Photharam district, Ratchaburi province, effective July 24 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 12.9 km², 9 villages and 7,183 citizen.
  • Suea Hok (เทศบาลตำบลเสือโฮก), Mueang Chainat district, Chainat province, effective July 24 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 38.20 km², 14 villages and 7,692 citizen.
  • Ko Phet (เทศบาลตำบลเกาะเพชร), Hua Sai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, effective July 24 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 26.72 km², 9 villages and 7,171 citizen.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Google Earth update

Google Earth has rolled out another set of new areas in higher resolution, but as there was no announcement in their own blog yet, the inofficial Google Earth Blog has collected the places reported by readers. In Thailand I did find the following places to have new higher resolution:
  • Thung Song, Nakhon Si Thammarat
  • A longer strip in Mae Hong Son province, from Mae La Noi via Mae Sariang down till Sop Moei
  • Wiang Kaen, Chiang Rai
  • Some boundary area in Nong Khai, since a large area around Vientiane was updated
  • Also a piece of jungle west of Hua Hin
But it has only had 4 district articles on Wikipedia which I could place better with these data, for those in Mae Hong Son I already got the right coordinates with PointAsia. If I missed any places in the above list let me know.

Municipal decisions from June 27 2008

Meeting number 48 from June 27 2008 with 11 TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipalities.
  • Na Di (เทศบาลตำบลนาดี), Suwannakhuha district, Nongbua Lamphu province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 74 km², 13 villages and 10,594 citizen.
  • Yang Lo (เทศบาลตำบลยางหล่อ), Si Bun Rueang district, Nongbua Lamphu province, effective July 16 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 83 km², 15 villages and 8,911 citizen.
  • Non Wai (เทศบาลตำบลโนนหวาย), Nong Wua So district, Udon Thani province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 76.06 km², 5 villages and 3,286 citizen.
  • Tok Phrom (เทศบาลตำบลตกพรม), Khlung district, Chanthaburi province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 85.75 km², 11 villages and 3,863 citizen.
  • Na Kham (เทศบาลตำบลนาขาม), Kuchinarai district, Kalasin province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 109 km², 17 villages and 12,549 citizen.
  • Ban Mung (เทศบาลตำบลบ้านมุง), Noen Maprang district, Phitsanulok province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 246 km², 8 villages and 6,921 citizen.
  • Bung Kha (เทศบาลตำบลบุ่งค้า), Loeng Nok Tha district, Yasothon province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 202 km², 19 villages and 12,774 citizen.
  • Erawan (เทศบาลตำบลเอราวัณ), Erawan district, Loei province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 61.23 km², 16 villages and 10,076 citizen.
  • Dong Daeng (เทศบาลตำบลดงแดง), Chaturaphak Phiman district, Roi Et province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 41.64 km², 16 villages and 9,024 citizen.
  • Tha Laeng (เทศบาลตำบลท่าแลง), Tha Yang district, Roi Et province, effective July 24 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 43.13 km², 10 villages and 5,694 citizen.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Suggestions in the Royal Gazette

Almost all of the documents in the Royal Gazette are announcements of new laws, or when limited to those announcements I am usually looking at the creations or changes of the administrative entities. But there are also some documents which contain a suggested change, which may or may not be actually done later. Yet the number of these suggestions I have found so far are much lower than the number of announcements on the actual changes - in fact I have just 5 on the creation of minor districts, another 5 on the creation of muban, and three on new provinces.

The first example dates back to 1985, where I could find one document titled กระทู้ถามที่ ๓๔๔ ของ นายนิยม วรปัญญา สมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎร เรื่อง ขอให้ตั้งตำบลโคกเจริญเป็นกิ่งอำเภอโคกเจริญ (Suggestion #344 of Mr. Niyom Wonpanya, Member of Parliament, requesting to upgrade subdistrict Khok Charoen to a minor district), published in volume 102, issue 72 ง ฉบับพิเศษ on page 31 on June 6 1985 (Annoucement). This request was granted, as in the following year the minor district Khok Charoen in Lopburi was set up - by a announcement where they mixed up the district names, as mentioned in the earlier post on announcements with mistakes.

But of course not all such suggestions have been put into effect. One example where it wasn't is the minor district Nam Ron (กิ่งอำเภอน้ำร้อน), which was also suggested in 1985 (Volume 102, Issue 82 ง, Page 2954 of June 25 1985). The area even today is still part of the district Wichian Buri of Phetchabun province.

The latest of the suggested provinces suggests the creation of a province to be named Phra Narai (จังหวัดพระนารายณ์, Volume 121, Issue 19 ก /1, Page 12 published on September 3 2004) after the 17th century king Narai. This new province should then cover the southern part of Lopburi including the town Lopburi itself - since Lopburi was the second capital of Ayutthaya under king Narai the name choice is relatively obvious. The remainder of Lopburi is then to be renamed to Chai Badan province (ลจังหวัดชัยบาดาล).

And finally to list a very recent one, published on July 7 2008 was the suggestion of the creation of muban 21 in Wang Nak Aen subdistrict, Wang Thong district, Phitsanulok (Announcement).

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Carte du Royaume de Siam et des Pays Circonvoisins

One map which is depicted in many books on the history of Thailand is titled "Carte du Royaume de Siam et des Pays Circonvoisins" (Map of the kingdom of Siam and surrounding countries). This map was drawn by R. Placide Augustin Dechaussé, royal geographer of the French King Louis XIV. It was drawn in 1686 in dedication to the voyage of Alexandre de Chaumont to Siam as the first French ambassador. It's a pity I don't speak French, as the website Mémoires de Siam not only present the manuscript of de Chaumont (which is available in an English translation from Silkworm Books), but also other texts which seem to have no currently available English version.

Another great online essay which mentions this specific map is The Mapping of Thailand: An Introduction by Dawn F. Rooney. Yet what is really sad - even though this map is long in the Public Domain, there seem to be no high-quality scan available online which would allow to print it in its original size of 33.5 x 47.0 cm. In most books the map is depicted in black-and-white, yet it was beautifully colored. The best online resource showing the whole map seem to be the map collection of the Chao Phraya Delta Research website, thus I used that version to show in this posting. NDMI-Oldmap is another collection of old maps, which has two larger scans of this map, but both a bit blurred. The one on Wikimedia Commons is simply awful.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Tej Bunnag resigns as foreign minister

Normally the current Thai politics isn't the topic of this blog, but since I announced it when his appointed as foreign minister just little more than a month ago, I should now also mention this clear sign of the near end of the Samak administration. Both Bangkok Post and The Nation have breaking news on Tej Bunnag (เตช บุนนาค) filing his resignation.

Bangkok Post says
It is yet unknown the real reason behind his resignation as Mr Tej could not be reached for comments. But it is believed that Mr Tej is discouraged by the work of the government and his tough role in explaining to foreign communities about ongoing political turmoil in Thailand.

and The Nation
The sources said Tej, former permanent secretary for foreign affairs, reasoned his resignation that his wife, Pensri, is sick.

[...]

It is still unclear why he wished to resign.

Giving Tejs credentials and the first successes in calming down the Preah Vihear conflict with Cambodia, I hope he would stand by for returning to his post in a government of national unity, which to me seems like the only way out of the current political chaos.

Missing Royal Gazette announcements for municipalities

While working through the Royal Gazette announcements for the creations and upgrades of the municipal areas and the sanitary districts a few announcements seem to be missing in the online database. Especially when not looking at the changes which happened rather recently and are probably still in the pipeline for publication in the Gazette, I have apparently worked through almost all relevant announcements.

In fact there are just two sanitary district creations which are missing - Ang Sila (อ่างศิลา) in Chonburi and Wang Noi (วังน้อย) in Ayutthaya province. The creations of Chiang Mai, Thon Buri and Krung Thep I could not find in the gazette yet either, probably because these were created even before the other original municipalities in the 1930s.

Further some renaming are apparently also missing - Khlong Tan (คลองตาล) to Si Samrong (ศรีสำโรง) in Sukhothai province, Chiang Saen (เชียงแสน) to Wiang Chiang Saen (เวียงเชียงแสน) in Chiang Rai, Klang Wiang (กลางเวียง) to Wiang Sa (เวียงสา) and Lae (และ) to Thung Chang (ทุ่งช้าง) in Nan, Chumphon (จุมพล) to Phon Phisai (โพนพิสัย) in Nong Khai, Lum Sum (ลุ่มสุ่ม) to Wang Pho (วังโพธิ์) in Kanchanaburi, Wang Maprang Nuea (วังมะปรางเหนือ) to Wang Wiset (วังวิเศษ) in Trang, Sa Ku (สระคู) to Suwannaphum (สุวรรณภูมิ) in Roi Et. Some of these might be still in pipeline to be announced.

For the status changes, the upgrade of Tha Ruea Phra Thaen (ท่าเรือพระแท่น) from thesaban tambon to thesaban mueang is missing.

Finally there are two "ghost entries" - municipalities where I had found a geocode, but which are not listed in any other lists. These two are Pa Daeng (ป่าแดง, 5486) in Phrae, and Khukhan (ขุขันธ์, 3385) in Sisaket. Any help in reducing the above list is of course welcome.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Municipal decisions from June 26 2008

Meeting number 47 from June 26 2008 with 19 TAO upgraded to subdistrict municipalities.
  • Nong Mai Ngam (เทศบาลตำบลหนองไม้งาม), Ban Kruat district, Buriram province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 60.29 km², 15 villages and 9,551 citizen.
  • Salaeng Thon (เทศบาลตำบลแสลงโทน), Prakhon Chai district, Buriram province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 36.45 km², 7 villages and 5,863 citizen.
  • Bua Watthana (เทศบาลตำบลบัววัฒนา), Nong Phai district, Phetchabun province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 86.53 km², 8 villages and 5,968 citizen.
  • Bo Thai (เทศบาลตำบลบ่อไทย), Nong Phai district, Phetchabun province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 204 km², 14 villages and 9,795 citizen.
  • Khok Sa-at (เทศบาลตำบลโคกสะอาด), Si Thep district, Phetchabun province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 75 km², 13 villages and 6,738 citizen.
  • Sa Long Ruea (เทศบาลตำบลสระลงเรือ), Huai Krachao district, Kanchanaburi province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 125 km², 17 villages and 7,180 citizen.
  • Pak Phraek (เทศบาลตำบลปากแพรก), Mueang Kanchanaburi district, Kanchanaburi province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 47.80 km², 13 villages and 23,601 citizen.
  • Thap Ma (เทศบาลตำบลทับมา), Mueang Rayong district, Rayong province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 29.24 km², 8 villages and 15,766 citizen.
  • Nam Khok (เทศบาลตำบลน้ำคอก), Mueang Rayong district, Rayong province, effective July 24 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 10 km², 4 villages and 4,277 citizen.
  • Noen Phra (เทศบาลตำบลเนินพระ), Mueang Rayong district, Rayong province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 12.70 km², 7 villages and 12,363 citizen.
  • Mae Ka (เทศบาลตำบลแม่กา), Mueang Phayao district, Phayao province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 131.70 km², 18 villages and 15,556 citizen.
  • Na Kaeo (เทศบาลตำบลนาแก้ว), Ko Kha district, Lampang province, effective July 18 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 111 km², 9 villages and 9,931 citizen.
  • Thanon Yai (เทศบาลตำบลถนนใหญ่), Mueang Lopburi district, Lopburi province, effective July 24 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 11.38 km², 6 villages and 9,591 citizen.
  • Ban Khong (เทศบาลตำบลบ้านโข้ง), U Thong district, Suphanburi province, effective July 24 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 96 km², 14 villages and 8,900 citizen.
  • Hat Tha Sao (เทศบาลตำบลหาดท่าเสา), Mueang Chainat district, Chainat province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 28.73 km², 8 villages and 5,063 citizen.
  • Thung Lan (เทศบาลตำบลทุ่งลาน), Khlong Hoi Khong district, Songkhla province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 35.50 km², 9 villages and 6,198 citizen.
  • Khok Muang (เทศบาลตำบลโคกม่วง), Khlong Hoi Khong district, Songkhla province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 41.30 km², 9 villages and 7,039 citizen.
  • Lum Din (เทศบาลตำบลหลุมดิน), Mueang Ratchaburi district, Ratchaburi province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 6.22 km², 6 villages and 4,211 citizen.
  • Prasat Sit (เทศบาลตำบลประสาทสิทธิ์), Mueang Ratchaburi district, Ratchaburi province, effective July 25 2008. The TAO was created in 1996, covers 10.66 km², 6 villages and 4,924 citizen.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Bangkok governor elections preparations

The preparations for the Bangkok governor elections is getting into its final phase, now the first candidates have submitted their application and already got their candidacy numbers assigned. The following numbers were drawn.
  1. Mr Kittisak Thirawisit (กิตติศักดิ์ ถิรวิศิษฎ์)
  2. Dr Kriangsak Charoenwongsak (เกรียงศักดิ์ เจริญวงศ์ศักดิ์)
  3. Capt Metha Themchamnan (เมตตา เต็มชำนาญ)
  4. Mr Warawut Thanangkorn (วราวุธ ฐานังกร)
  5. Mr Apirak Kosayodhin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน), incumbent governor
  6. Mr Sumet Tanthanasirikul (สุเมธ ตันธนาศิริกุล)
  7. Ms Leena Junjanya (ลีนา จังจรรจา)
  8. Mr Chuwit Kamolvisit (ชูวิทย์ กมลวิศิษฎ์)
  9. Mr Wittaya Junkob (วิทยา จังกอบ)
Out of these, the first eight were actually drawn, as Wittaya registered after the drawing and thus received the next free number. Apparently Prapat Chongsanguan (ประภัสร์ จงสงวน), MRTA governor and the candidate supported by the ruling PPP, hasn't submitted his application yet, but he still has time till Friday when the application period ends.

According to the ABAC poll from mid-August, Apirak has good chances to win a second term in office with 40% of the votes, with another 16% to Natthakorn Devakula (who hasn't registered yet either) and 11% for the controversial Chuwit. The other names listed above are spread between the 10% who picked one of these less-famous contestants. 22% of the voters interviewed said that they haven't decided yet. Yet this poll was taken before the PPP candidate was made public and the PAD started its big protests, so these numbers are likely to change.

The election is scheduled for October 5, yet there's of course the chance that the current turmoil around the PAD protests may cause it to be delayed.

Names of districts and provinces

For a foreigner without knowledge on the Thai language all the names of towns, provinces or districts sound strange. For a few, the romanization has created more confusions as one is tempted to mispronounce the name - so Phuket gets to F*ck-it, and the inevitable Bang Cock of course. Or on a much higher intellectual level the pun that Ranong should be pronounced "Rain On", as it is the wettest area of all Thailand. But all this should not be the topic this time.

Many of the places in Thailand are named by some geographical or historical specialty of the area. For example Tha Song Yang means "Pier at two Yang trees", or the old name of Surat Thani, Ban Don, means something "village on a small hill". There are also several places named after persons, each of the three daughters of the King has one district named after her, also the district Mae Fa Luang is named after the mother of the King, and the district Watthana in Bangkok is named after the recently deceased princess Galyani Vadhana. However the only district named after a king is Phaya Mengrai, named after the first king of the northern Thai kingdom Lanna. The military dictator Phibun Songkhram even named one of the provinces annexed during World War II after himself.

Also a lot of the places have a name originating from Sanskrit, something which was very popular during the reign of King Rama VI, when many places were renamed. Four provinces got a new named originating from Sanskrit in 1915 - Surat Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Narathiwat and Uttaradit.

But there are also some districts which - at least for a western - are somewhat odd when translating them to English. The province Roi Et - meaning 101 - is named after the exaggerated number of subordinate cities under it, which in real were just 11. Nam Som means "Ginseng water", Nam Khun means "muddy water", and Nam Nao simply "cold water". But maybe the oddest is the subdistrict municipality กม.5, Kilometer 5, located not far from the town Prachuap Khiri Khan.