Ang Thong province

Ang Thong or Angthong is one of the central provinces of Thailand. The name "Ang Thong" means 'gold basin', thought to have derived from the basin-like geography of the area, and the golden color of the rice grown in the region.
Neighboring provinces are Sing Buri, Lopburi, Phra Nakhon [Si Ayutthaya province|Ayutthaya], and Suphan Buri.
Ang Thong native handicrafts include moulded court dolls, firebrick, and wickerwork.
Ang Thong has more than 200 Buddhist temples, but there are nine distinct temples that are promoted as "Paying Homage to Nine Auspicious Temples". This consists of,, [Wat Pa Mok|Wat Pa Mok Worawihan],, Wat Mahanam, Wat Thasutthawat, Wat Siroi, Wat Khian and, where the Great Buddha of Thailand is enshrined.

Geography

Ang Thong occupies a low river plain, created by the Chao Phraya and the Noi Rivers. It has neither mountains nor forests, but consists of mostly agricultural land. The two rivers, together with many canals, provide enough water for rice farming.

History

Ang Thong was historically known as Wiset Chai Chan, on the Noi River. It was an important border town of the Ayutthaya Kingdom during the wars with Burma, as the Noi River served as a natural obstacle for advancing troops.
During the reign of King Taksin after the fall of Ayutthaya, the main city of the province was moved to the Chao Phraya River, and named Ang Thong, as the Noi River had become silted and too shallow for transportation.
Ang Thong is the provenance of Likay, the native folk song, and the hometown of Nai Dok and Nai Thongkaeo, two heroes of the Bang Rachan Battle.
Khun Rong Palat Chu is another local hero of Ang Thong. His heroism is little known when compared to the villagers of Bang Rachan because only two lines were recorded in the Thai chronicles. He grouped up and led four hundred volunteer sword fighters under the name "Kong Attamat" to accompany the royal army from the capital during the royal army's settlement at Mueang Kui. His group received a command to obstruct the Burmese army 8,000 people at Ao Wa Khao in 1760 when King Alaungpaya of Burma invaded Myeik part of Ayutthaya Kingdom at that time. In the end, they all died of four hundred people. Nowadays, there is a monument built to commemorate his heroism at Wat Siroi, Wiset Chai Chan.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows some golden ears of rice in a bowl of water. This symbolizes the fertility of the province as one of the major producers of rice. The provincial tree is the gaub tree. The provincial fish is red tailed tinfoil.

Administrative divisions

Provincial government

The province is divided into seven districts. The districts are further subdivided into 73 subdistricts and 513 villages.

Local government

As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation and 21 municipal areas in the province. Ang Thong has town status. Further 20 subdistrict municipalities. The non-municipal areas are administered by 43 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO.

Economy

Economic output

In 2022, Ang Thong province had an economic output of 31.947 billion baht. This amounts to per capita gross provincial product of 130,469 baht. In 2024 the total labour force was 127,720 of which 125,244 persons were employed in economic activity. In agriculture and fishing 28,921 persons were employed and in the non-agricultural sector 96,323 persons.

	Activities	Baht	Percent
1	Manufacturing	6,198,000,000	19.4
2	Agriculture and fishing	4,795,000,000	15.0
3	Trade	4,434,000,000	13.9
4	Mining	2,636,000,000	8.3
5	Energy	2,274,000,000	7.1
6	Finance	2,084,000,000	6.5
7	Education	1,944,000,000	6.1
8	Transportation	1,499,000,000	4.7
9	Human health	1,485,000,000	4.6
10	Defence + publ.admin.	1,358,000,000	4.3
11	Real estate	1,173,000,000	3.7
12	Construction	1,068,000,000	3.3
13	Information	312,000,000	1.0
14	Other service activity	227,000,000	0.7
15	Pastime	202,000,000	0.6
16	Water supply	153,000,000	0.5
17	Administration	64,000,000	0.2
18	Hotel and restaurant	35,000,000	0.1
19	Scientific activity	6,000,000	0.0
	Total	31,947,000,000	100

	Activities	Workforce	Percent
1	Agriculture and fishing	28,921	23.1
2	Manufacturing	25,182	20.1
3	Trade	22,034	17.6
4	Hotel and restaurant	11,876	9.5
5	Defence + publ.admin.	9,870	7.9
6	Construction	7,646	6.1
7	Education	3,738	3.0
8	Transportation	3,691	2.9
9	Human health	3,009	2.4
10	Other service activity	1,906	1.5
11	Administration	1,527	1.2
12	Water supply	1,206	0.9
13	Household enterprise	989	0.8
14	Finance	893	0.7
15	Pastime	854	0.7
16	Scientific activity	592	0.5
17	Energy	585	0.5
18	Mining	410	0.3
19	Real estate	202	0.2
20	Information	113	0.1
	Total	125,244	100

Human achievement index 2022

Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the human achievement index, a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board 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"

Notable people

Somsak Prissanananthakul: politician
Pleumjit Thinkaow: world-class volleyball player
Pipob Thongchai: activist
Jermsak Pinthong: economist, political commentator, TV host
Chaiya Mitchai: likay dancer, singer, actor, TV host
Kohtee Aramboy: comedian, actor, TV host
Ja R-Siam: singer