# Nonthaburi province

Nonthaburi is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand, established by the Act Establishing Changwat Samut Prakan, Changwat Nonthaburi, Changwat Samut Sakhon and Changwat Nakhon Nayok, Buddhist Era 2489 (1946), which came into force on 9 May 1946 (Thursday).
Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok, and Nakhon Pathom. Nonthaburi is the most densely populated province after Bangkok. The Bang Kwang Central Prison is in the province.

## Geography

Nonthaburi is directly northwest of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River. The province is part of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In most parts it is as urbanized as the capital, and the boundary between the two provinces is nearly unrecognizable. There is no forest area in the province.

## History

Nonthaburi was declared a city in the middle of the 16th century. It was previously a village named Talat Khwan. During the reign of King Prasat Thong, a canal was dug to create a shortcut for the flow of the Chao Phraya. The river changed its flow into the new canal, which is still the riverbed today. In 1665 King Narai built a fortress, as the shorter river course was giving enemies an easier route to the capital, Ayutthaya. The town was then moved near the fortress.
From 1943 to 1946 the province was incorporated into Bangkok.

## Symbols

The provincial seal shows earthenware, a traditional product of Nonthaburi. The provincial tree and flower is the yellow flame tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum). Nonthaburi is a province where the Chao Phraya River crosses from north to south, and on the ground, the Chao Phraya giant catfish (Pangasius sanitwongsei) is the provincial aquatic life.
The provincial slogan translates to "Grand royal mansion, renowned Suan Somdet, Ko Kret's pottery, famous ancient temples, tasty durians, and the beautiful government office". The royal mansion refers to Phra Tamnak Nonthaburi in Mueang Nonthaburi District, the former residence of Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. Princess Mother Srinagarindra Garden (Suan Somdet) is a water garden with a statue of princess Srinagarindra in the Pak Kret District. The provincial administration building once received an award as the most beautiful such building by the Ministry of Interior.

## Agriculture

Nonthaburi province is renowned for growing the best durians in the country. Durian has been a well-known fruit in this province for 400 years. The fruit is known as "Durian Non" which means durian from Nonthaburi province. It is also known as the most expensive durian in the world. There are six groups of Nonthaburi durian which are Kop, Luang, Kan Yao, Kampan, Thong Yoi, and miscellaneous. Most durian orchards are near rivers such as the Chao Phraya. This is because the soil next to the river is good for planting which is also good for durian trees. Many durian orchards have disappeared due to flooding and pollution. The price of durian Non depends on its group. Kan Yao is the most expensive, starting from around 10,000 baht up to 20,000 baht (or about US$600) for one durian. The Kan Yao itself is not easy to find in normal markets. The main reason for the high price is because it is rare. The recent flood in 2011 cleared out almost all of the durian trees in Nonthaburi, and only a few trees have been newly planted. Also, residential areas are expanding into agricultural areas.

## Health

Nonthaburi's main hospital operated by the Ministry of Public Health is Phra Nang Klao Hospital. It is also the location of the largest psychiatric hospital in Thailand- Srithanya Hospital.

## Religion

* Buddhism (96.14%)
* Islam (3.13%)
* Christianity (0.59%)
* Confucianism, Sikhism and others (0.07%)
* Hinduism (0.05%)

## Administrative divisions
### Provincial government

The province is divided into six districts (amphoes). The districts are further subdivided into 52 subdistricts (tambons) and 433 villages (mubans).
* Mueang Nonthaburi
* Bang Kruai
* Bang Yai
* Bang Bua Thong
* Sai Noi
* Pak Kret

### Local government

As of 8 September 2020 there are: one Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization - PAO (ongkan borihan suan changwat) and twenty-two municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. The capital Nonthaburi and Pak Kret have city (thesaban nakhon) status. Further ten have town (thesaban mueang) status and ten subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).
| | City municipalities | People | | | |
| 1 | Nonthaburi | 254,375 | 2 | Pak Kret | 190,272 |
| | Town municipalities | People | | | |
| 1 | Mai Bang Bua Thong | 54,554 | 6 | Bang Kruai | 44,138 |
| 2 | Bang Bua Thong | 51,420 | 7 | Bang Khu Rat | 40,070 |
| 3 | Bang Rak Pattana | 46,766 | 8 | Bang Si Mueang | 32,880 |
| 4 | Phimon Rat | 46,803 | 9 | Sai Ma | 23,316 |
| 5 | Bang Mae Nang | 45,974 | 10 | Bang Krang | 23,010 |
| | Subdistrict mun. | People | | | |
| 1 | Plai Bang | 45,573 | 6 | Bang Yai | 11,620 |
| 2 | Sao Thong Hin | 39,315 | 7 | Bang Si Thong | 11,203 |
| 3 | Sala Klang | 18,582 | 8 | Bang Phlap | 10,417 |
| 4 | Ban Bang Muang | 17,526 | 9 | Bang Muang | 5,843 |
| 5 | Bang Len | 16,050 | 10 | Sai Noi | 2,547 |
The non-municipal areas are administered by 23 Subdistrict Administrative Organizations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon).
| Municipalities | Communities |
| Nonthaburi | 93 |
| Bang Si Muang | 41 |

## Human achievement index 2022

| Health | Education | Employment | Income |
| 1 | 29 | 26 | 11 |
| Housing | Family | Transport | Participation |
| 68 | 12 | 2 | 68 |
| Province Nonthaburi, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6875 is "high", occupies place 2 in the ranking. ||||
Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017.
| Rank | Classification |
| 1 - 13 | "high" |
| 14 - 29 | "somewhat high" |
| 30 - 45 | "average" |
| 46 - 61 | "somewhat low" |
| 62 - 77 | "low" |
* Map with provinces and HAI 2022 rankings

## Notable people

* Theerathon Bunmathan (born 1990), footballer
* Tussaneeya Karnsomnut (born 1994), actress
* Danupha "Milli" Khanatheeraku (born 2002), rapper and singer
* Apirak Kosayodhin (born 1961), businessman, politician
* Nonzee Nimibutr (born 1962), filmmaker
* Busanan Ongbamrungphan (born 1996), badminton player
* Thanakrit Panichwid (born 1985), singer, actor
* Plaek Phibunsongkhram (1897–1964), soldier, politician
* Vicharnnoi Porntawee (1948–2022), Muay Thai fighter
* Surachart Pisitwuttinan (born 1950s), boxing manager and promoter
* Nuamthong Praiwan (1946–2006), taxi driver, known for his suicide in protest of the 2006 coup
* Srinagarindra (1900–1995), mother of Rama VIII and Rama IX
* Sriarpha Ruennak (born 1956), Thai voice actress
* Sri Sulalai (1770–1837), concubine of Rama II, mother of Rama III
* Surush Tubwang (born 1968), singer and musician
* Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (born 1932), soldier, politician