A province in the Lower North, Uttradit has a long history developing through the years since pre-historic time.
The site of the original town, then called Bang Pho Tha It, was located on the right bank of the Nan River. It flourished as a port for goods transportation. As a result, King Rama V elevated its status into a province and re-named it Uttradit, literally the Port of the North.
Uttradit is located 491 kilometres from Bangkok and covers an area of 7,838 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Tron, Laplae, Phichai, Tha Pla, Nam Pat, Fak Tha, Ban Khok, and Thong Saen Khan.
The name Uttaradit means northern landing, as it was formerly a trade center on the Nan river.
In the Sukhothai era several city state (Mueang) controlled by the King in Sukhothai were located in the area of the modern province. Mueang Fang was located in modern day Mueang Uttaradit district, Mueng Thung Yang in Laplae, Mueang Ta Chuchok in Tron district.
Later in the Ayutthaya kingdom Mueang Phichai was one of the 16 main Mueang of the kingdom. During the reign of King Naresuan the ruler of Phichai together with the ruler of Sawankhalok revolted. After their revolt was suppressed by the King the population of both cities was forced to move to Phitsanulok.
During the war with the Burmese after the fall of Ayutthaya, Phichai was the site of several battles. The ruler of Phichai succeeded to fight back the Burmese and was awarded with the title Phraya Phichai Dabhak.
During the reign of King Rama III Mueang Phichai controlled several Mueang of northern Siam like Nan or Phrae, and even Luang Prabang and Vientiane. At the point where the Nan river became shallow a port was established. As this town grew in importance as an important trade point, in 1887 it was made a Mueang subordinate of Phichai. 1899 the center of Phichai was moved to this new location, which was renamed to Uttaradit in 1915.
Geography
The province is located in the valley of the Nan River. About 45 kilometers north of the city Uttaradit is the Queen Sirikit Dam, created a 250 km² artificial lake from the Nan.
Most of the province was once covered with teak forests, then the major product of Uttaradit. The largest Teak tree in the world is found at the Ton Sak Yai Park. The 1500 year old tree measures 9.87 m in circumference and 37 m in height - originally it was 48.5 m high, but it was damaged in a storm.
Three National Parks are located in the province—Klong Tron, Lam Nam Nan and Phu Soi Dao.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows the mondop at the temple Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, in Baan Phra Thaen in the Laplae district. The main item of worship in the temple is a laterite block, which is believed to have been used by Buddha to seek enlightenment. The mondhop is built upon this block.
The seal was first designed in 1940, later a garuda as the symbol of Thailand and the name of the province were added.
The provincial tree is the Teak (Tectona grandis).
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided in 9 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 67 communes (tambon) and 562 villages (muban).
- Mueang Uttaradit
- Tron
- Tha Pla
- Nam Pat
- Fak Tha
- Ban Khok
- Phichai
- Laplae
- Thong Saen Khan
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