Nonthaburi Province

Nonthaburi
Nonthaburi; นนทบุรี
	— Province —
	; Seal
	; Seal
	Nonthaburi in Thailand
Capital	Nonthaburi
	Government
• Governor	Wichian Phutthiwinyu
	Area
• Total	622.3 km2 (240.3 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 74th
	Population (2011)
• Total	1,122,627
• Rank	Ranked 20th
• Density	1,800/km2 (4,700/sq mi)
• Density rank	Ranked 2nd
	Human Development Index
• HDI (2009)	0.743 (medium) (34th)
Time zone	Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7)
Postal code	11xxx
Calling code	02
Vehicle registration	นนทบุรี
Founded	1561
Incorporated into Bangkok	1943
Separated from Bangkok	1946

Nonthaburi (Thai: นนทบุรี, pronounced [nōn.tʰá.bū.rīː]) is the third smallest province in Thailand, after Samut Songkhram and Phuket, occupying the huge Chao Phraya River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani, to the west by Nakhon Pathom and to the south and east by Bangkok.

Its provincial capital is Nonthaburi. Other important towns include Pak Kret, Bang Bua Thong and Bang Kruai.

Etymology [edit]

The name 'Nonthaburi' has been said to originate from the language of a Mon-Khmer aborigines tribe. According to an old Thai story, at the place near the Chao Phraya River, a large 'nontri' tree fell across the river, thus the name 'Nonthaburi' originated.

History [edit]

Nonthaburi was declared a city in the middle of the 16th century, which was previously a village named Talat Khwan. During the reign of King Prasat Thong, a canal was dug to create a shortcut of 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 riverway was giving enemies an easier way to the capital Ayutthaya. The town was then also moved near the fortress.

From 1943 to 1946 the province was incorporated into Bangkok.