Suwannaphum (Thai: สุวรรณภูมิ, pronounced [sù.wān.nā.pʰūːm]) is a district (amphoe) of Roi Et province, in eastern Thailand. It is named after the legendary country of Suwannaphum, which according to Thai tradition was on the Chao Phraya plain. It was the seat of a small Lao mandala kingdom until the Laotian Rebellion of 1826-1829 ended vestiges of Lao independence west of the Mekong.

Suwannaphum
สุวรรณภูมิ
District location in Roi Et province
District location in Roi Et province
Coordinates: 15°36′33″N 103°48′1″E / 15.60917°N 103.80028°E / 15.60917; 103.80028
CountryThailand
ProvinceRoi Et
SeatSa Khu
Area
 • Total1,107.042 km2 (427.431 sq mi)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total116,917
 • Density105.6/km2 (274/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code45130
Geocode4511

History

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In 1718, the first Lao muang in the Chi valley—and indeed anywhere in the interior of the Khorat Plateau—was founded as Suwannaphum (in latter-day Roi Et Province) by an official in the service of King Nokasad of the Kingdom of Champasak, leading some 3,000 subjects.[1]

Geography

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The district is in southern Roi Et Province. Neighboring districts are (from the west clockwise): Kaset Wisai, Mueang Suang, At Samat, Phanom Phrai, Nong Hi, and Moei Wadi of Roi Et Province, and Rattanaburi and Tha Tum of Surin province.

Administration

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The district is divided into 15 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 195 villages (mubans). Suwannaphum itself has township (thesaban tambon) status and covers part of tambon Sa Khu. Each of the tambons is administered by a tambon administrative organization.

No. Name Thai Villages Pop.[2]
01. Sa Khu สระคู 21 20,956
02. Dok Mai ดอกไม้ 14 06,105
03. Na Yai นาใหญ่ 15 08,073
04. Hin Kong หินกอง 16 09,319
05. Mueang Thung เมืองทุ่ง 08 05,118
06. Hua Thon หัวโทน 12 05,396
07. Bo Phan Khan บ่อพันขัน 09 04,540
08. Thung Luang ทุ่งหลวง 14 07,965
09. Hua Chang หัวช้าง 12 06,299
10. Nam Kham น้ำคำ 15 09,610
11. Huai Hin Lat ห้วยหินลาด 12 05,473
12. Chang Phueak ช้างเผือก 11 06,942
13. Thung Kula ทุ่งกุลา 13 07,080
14. Thung Si Mueang ทุ่งศรีเมือง 11 07,310
15. Champa Khan จำปาขัน 12 06,731

References

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  1. ^ Brow, James (1976), "Population, land and structural change in Sri Lanka and Thailand", Contributions to Asian Studies (9), Kogan Page, Ltd: 47, ISBN 90-04-04529-5
  2. ^ "Population statistics 2008". Department of Provincial Administration.
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