Nonthaburi is over 400 years old, dating back to when Ayutthaya was the capital. The town was originally located at Tambon Ban Talat Khwan, a famous fruit orchard where the Chao Phraya River and various canals pass through.
King Prasat Thong ordered the digging of a canal as a shortcut from the south of Wat Thai Muang to Wat Khema because the old waterway flowed into Om River to Bang Yai then to Bang Kruai Canal next to Wat Chalo before ending in front of Wat Khema.
After the new shortcut was completed, the Chao Phraya River changed its flow into the new route that remains today. In 1665, King Narai the Great noticed that the new route gave enemies too much proximity to the capital. Therefore, he ordered that a fortress be built at the mouth of Om River and relocated Nonthaburi to this area. A city shrine still stands there.
Later during the reign of King Rama IV of the Rattanakosin period, he ordered the town moved to the mouth of Bang Su Canal in Ban Talat Khwan. King Rama V then had the provincial hall built there on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River. In 1928, the hall was moved to Ratchawitthayalai, Ban Bang Khwan, Tambon Bang Tanao Si. It is now the Training Division of the Ministry of Interior on Pracha Rat 1 Road, Amphoe Muang, on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The building is of European architecture decorated with patterned woodwork. The Fine Arts Department has registered it as an historical site. The provincial hall is now on Rattanathibet Road.
Geography
Nonthaburi is located directly north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river. The province is part of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In most parts it is as urbanized as the capital, and the boundary between the two provinces is nearly unrecognisable.
History
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.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows earthenware, a traditional product from Nonthaburi.
The Provincial flower and tree is the Yellow flame tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum).
The provincial slogan translates to Grand Royal Mansion, renowned Suan Somdet, Ko Kret's pottery, famous ancient temples, tasty durians, and the beautiful government office. The royal mansion refers to Phra Tamnak Nonthaburi in Mueang Nonthaburi district, the residence of Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn; Suan Somdet is a water garden in Pak Kret district. The provincial administration building once received an award as the most beautiful such building by the Ministry of Interior.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 6 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 52 communes (Tamon) and 309 villages.
- Mueang Nonthaburi
- Bang Kruai
- Bang Yai
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- Bang Bua Thong
- Sai Noi
- Pak Kret
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