Monthon

A monthon (English circle, Thai มณฑล) was a subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. They were created as a part of the thesaphiban (เทศาภิบาล - literally translates to control over territory) administrative system, introduced by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. Together with the monthon also the still existing provinces (changwat), districts (amphoe) and communes (tambon) were established nationwide. Each monthon was led by a royal commissoner also called thesaphiban. The system was officially adopted by the 1897 Local Administration Act, after some monthon were established before and the details of administration were tried out.

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In 1915 there were 19 circles containing 72 provinces, however due to economic problems several monthon were merged in 1925, monthon Phetchabun was already dissolved in 1915. Only 14 monthon remained: Chanthaburi, Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Sawan, Pattani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Phayap, Phitsanulok, Phuket, Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya, Udon Thani and Krung Theb. They were finally abolished in 1933 with the Provincial Administration Act B.E. 2476, part of the changes made after the coup d'etat which the absolut monarchy to a democracy. Since then the 70 provinces were the second level administrative division.

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Thailand: The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west. Thailand is also known as Siam, which was the country's official name until May 11, 1949. The word Thai (ŭ...

20th century: The 20th century lasted from 1901 to 2000 in the Gregorian calendar. Common usage sometimes regards it as lasting from 1900 to 1999, but this is often considered incorrect due to the nonexistence of a "Year Zero" before AD 1. The 20th century is also sometimes known as the nineteen hundreds (1900s)...

Damrong Rajanubhab: HRH Prince Damrong Rajanubhab (Thai including his full title: สมเด็จพระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ กรมพระยาดำร...