Phatthalung Province


Phatthalung is one of the southern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Satun, and Trang. Phatthalung is essentially a landlocked province, one of the only two in southern Thailand, the other being Yala.

Geography

The province is on the Malay Peninsula. To the east it borders the large shallow Songkhla Lake, while the west is covered by mountains of the Nakhon Si Thammarat chain. Khao Pu–Khao Ya National Park is at the border to Trang.

History

Phatthalung was formerly known as Mardelong in Malay, especially during the time when the region came under Malay-Muslim influence.
During the reign of King Ramathibodi I of the Ayutthaya kingdom in the 14th century, Phatthalung became one of twelve royal cities. At the end of the 18th century King Rama I submitted the city to the Ministry of Defense, which was responsible for all the southern provinces. During the administrative reform by King Chulalongkorn, Phatthalung became part of the Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Demographics

The majority of the province's populace are Thai Buddhists. Muslims account for 11.1 percent of the population. Many of Phatthalung's Muslims have some ethnic Malay ancestry, but over the centuries they had intermarried with the Thais and adopted Thai cultural norms.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the 177 meter high Phu Khao Ok Thalu mountain, the symbol of the province. The provincial tree and flower is the sweet shorea.

Administrative divisions

Provincial government

Phatthalung is divided into 11 districts. The districts are further divided into 65 subdistricts and 626 villages.

Local government

As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Phatthalung Provincial Administration Organisation and 49 municipal areas in the province. Phatthalung has town status. Further 48 subdistrict municipalities. The non-municipal areas are administered by 24 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO.

Economy

According to the Bangkok Post, Phattalung is "...notorious for its hitmen." The province has been referred to as "the source of Otop hitmen" by the police. "OTOP" refers to a governmental program, "One Tambon, One Product" that promotes and sells the unique specialty product from each Thai sub-district. A police lieutenant colonel explained that, "Hitmen are easily found—it is not expensive. Just give them speed pills and they will do the job." No explanation as to why this is so.

Transport

Air

Phatthalung does not have an airport. The nearest airport is Trang Airport, which is 66 km from the center of Phatthalung.

Rail

Nakhon Si Thammarat has the main station, the Phatthalung Railway Station.

Human achievement index 2017

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.

Tourism

Sights

Phraya Thukkharat Monument - Phraya Thukkharat was a former monk known as Phra Maha Chuai. During the Nine Armies War in the reign of King Rama I, then Phra Maha Chuai had assisted Phraya Phatthalung, who had led a force of villagers to defeat an invading Burmese army. Later, when he had left the monkhood, he was awarded the royal title Phraya Thukkharat and was an assistant to the city's ruler.

Culture

Manora or Nora A local performing art in the south. It was an influence from the south of India, together with Lakhon Chatri. However, some dancing patterns were changed to match folk cultures in each province. There are 12 major dancing patterns. The patterns are done to lyrics sung by the dancers, either impromptu or composed in advance.
Talung is a popular folk performance of the south. Talung puppets are made of dried cattle hide, cut beautifully into the characters of each shadow play. The puppets are usually painted black and each of them is held firmly between split bamboo slats called "mai tap". A puppet's mouth and hands will move in accordance with the narration. A Talung ensemble comprises the puppet masters and a band, totalling no more than eight persons. The musical instruments include pipes, drums, phon, and a gong.