Administrative Divisions

Thailand is divided into 6 regions (ภาค, [P̣hākh]) and those regions are divided into 76 provinces (จังหวัด, chang-wat, [Cạngh̄wạd]). There are two specially-governed districts: the capital Bangkok (counted as a province) and Pattaya (in Chonburi province).

Each province is divided into districts (อำเภอ, ampur or amphoe, [Xảp̣hex]). The name of each province’s capital city (เมือง, [mueang]), which is the district level, is the same as that of the province. For example, the capital of Chiang Mai province is Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai (The “Mueang” district of Chiang Mai). Note that only Bangkok province has no “Mueang” district.

Each district is divided into sub-districts (ตำบล, tambon, [Tảbl]). Each sub-district is divided into villages (หมู่บ้าน, muban, [H̄mū̀b̂ān]).

All of the above divisions can be summarized here:

Region (Phakh)

    Province (Changwat)

        Distirct (Ampjhoe):

        Each province has its capital city named as “Mueang” district or “Ampur Mueang” except Bangkok.

            Sub-district (Tumbon)

                Village (Muban)

Regions of Thailand

The regions of Thailand can be divided into 6 (or 4) regions by geographical. Each region mainly has different culture, local language, dressing, art and more but not totally different.

• The four-region system is the regional system most commonly used on national television, discussing the weather or regional events.
• A six-region system is commonly used for geographical and scientific purposes.

1. Central region

Central region locates at the center of Thailand. It is the most populated region in the country and contains the capital of Bangkok. The Central language is used in most part of the region and Thailand so when we say “Thai Language” we mean it’s “Central Thai Language“.

2. Northern region

Northern region locates at the north of Thailand and contains one of the most popular city by tourist around the world, Chiang Mai province. Northern region has its own Northern language, food, culture, dressing and more.

3. Northest region

Northest region is briefly called by Thai people as “อีสาน” (Isan or Isaan, [iːsǎːn]) and the Northest people is called Isaan people or “คนอีสาน” (Khon Isaan,  [ːKhn isǎːn]). Like the Northern region, Northest region also has its own language called “Isaan Language“, food, culture, dressing and more. People in some parts of the region also speak Laos, Combodian and Vietnamese

4. Western region

Most of the provinces in this region locate on the western border of Thailand near to Myanmar.

5. Eastern region

Eastern region locates on the eastern part of the Central region, beneath the Northest region and near to Combodia.

6. Southern region

Southern region locates beneath the Western region and on the south of Thailand. Most provinces in this region have area connect to the sea. Andaman Sea is on the west and Gulf of Thailand is on the east.