Pathum Thani (ปทุมธานี)

Thai. ‘Lotus City’. Capital of a province (map) of the same name in Central Thailand, situated 46 kms North of Bangkok. The city dates back to the time of King Narai. In 1659, a group of Mon people emigrated from Mottama, fleeing war in Burma. As relatives of the Dvaravati Kingdom, they sought royal protection from the King of Ayutthaya and were allowed refuge in the area of Sahm Kohk (สามโคก), meaning the ‘Three Hills’. Later, in the reign of King Taksin of Thonburi, a second wave of Mon refugees arrived and, allowing them to settle  in Sahm Kohk, the then ruler permitted them to built permanent housing. Later, King Rama II allowed the refugees to expand and the initial settlement grew into a real city. Thus, on 23 August 1815, the King renamed it Meuang Prathum Thani (ประทุมธานี). In 1918, a jangwat was created and Rama VI renamed Prathum Thani to the present Pathum Thani. There still is an amphur named Sahm Kohk, located just to the North of the present-day capital city. The province is situated in the low alluvial flats of the Chao Phraya River, that also flows through the capital city. The province is very fertile, with many rice paddies, which are irrigated with water from the Chao Phraya River, as well as from the many canals that cross the area. This fertility is represented in the ears of rice, shown on the provincial seal or escutcheon. The province is also the home of the Royal Mint of Thailand (map - fig.) and Wat Pah Khlong 11 (map - fig.). The province has seven amphur. See also Pathum Thani data file and See also POSTAGE STAMPS (1) and (2). 回