| Phatthalung is an ancient
city in southern Thailand. It is a land of mountains. In
town is Khao Ok Thalu, which is clearly visible from
afar. Phatthalung is regarded as the birthplace of the shadow
play and the
Nora dance.
From ancient
times to the present,
Phatthalung has been
closely linked to
Songkhla Province,
particularly in terms
of geography,
history and migratory
settlements through many ages. During the Sri Vijaya period
(13th-14th Buddhist century), the Phatthalung community received
Indian |
 | cultural influence in the way of
Mahayana Buddhism. In the reign of King Ramathibodi I (U Thong) of
Ayutthaya, Phatthalung became one of twelve royal cities. Later during the
reign of King Rama I in the Rattanakosin period, the king had the Ministry
of Defense oversee Phatthalung, upgraded it to
secondary city status and
moved it to the
mouth of Pam River. When
there was an
 |
administration reform
in the reign of
King Rama V, Phatthalung
prefecture came under Nakhon Si
Thammarat prefecture until 1924, when
King Rama VI relocated the city to Tambon Khuha Sawan where it
has been ever since. Upon the
abolition of the prefecture system in 1933,
Phatthalung became a
province outright. Phatthalung
city is situated on the west bank of
Songkhla Lake, about 846 kilometers from Bangkok. It
has an area of 3,424.473 square kilometers
and is divided into 10 districts and 1
subdistrict, as follows: Muang Phatthalung, Khuan Khanun, Pak
Phayun, Kongra, Tamot, Khao Chai
Son, Pa Bon, Bang Kaeo, Si Banphot, Pa Phayom, and the
subdistrict of Si Nakharin.
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