Ang Thong (, ) or Angthong is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. The name "Ang Thong" means 'gold basin', thought to have derived from the basin-like geography of the area, and the golden color of the rice grown in the region.

Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Sing Buri, Lopburi, Ayutthaya, and Suphan Buri.

Ang Thong native handicrafts include moulded court dolls, firebrick, and wickerwork.

Ang Thong has more than 200 Buddhist temples, but there are nine distinct temples that are promoted as "Paying Homage to Nine Auspicious Temples". This consists of , , Wat Pa Mok Worawihan, , Wat Mahanam, Wat Thasutthawat, Wat Siroi, Wat Khian and, where the Great Buddha of Thailand is enshrined.

Geography Ang Thong occupies a low river plain, created by the Chao Phraya and the Noi Rivers. It has neither mountains nor forests, but consists of mostly agricultural land. information, Forest statistics Year 2019. The two rivers, together with many canals (khlongs), provide enough water for rice farming.

History

Ang Thong was historically known as Wiset Chai Chan, on the Noi River. It was an important border town of the Ayutthaya Kingdom during the wars with Burma, as the Noi River served as a natural obstacle for advancing troops.

During the reign of King Taksin after the fall of Ayutthaya, the main city of the province was moved to the Chao Phraya River, and named Ang Thong, as the Noi River had become silted and too shallow for transportation.

Ang Thong is the provenance of Likay, the native folk song, and the hometown of Nai Dok and Nai Thongkaeo, two heroes of the Bang Rachan Battle.

Khun Rong Palat Chu is another local hero of Ang Thong. His heroism is little known when compared to the villagers of Bang Rachan because only two lines were recorded in the Thai chronicles. He grouped up and led four hundred volunteer sword fighters under the name "Kong Attamat" to accompany the royal army from the capital during the royal army's settlement at Mueang Kui (present-day Prachuap Khiri Khan Province). His group received a command to obstruct the Burmese army 8,000 people at Ao Wa Khao (in present-day Ao Noi, Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan) in 1760 when King Alaungpaya of Burma invaded Myeik (Burmese–Siamese War (1759–60)) part of Ayutthaya Kingdom at that time. In the end, they all died of four hundred people. Nowadays, there is a monument built to commemorate his heroism at Wat Siroi, Wiset Chai Chan.

Symbols The provincial seal shows some golden ears of rice in a bowl of water. This symbolizes the fertility of the province as one of the major producers of rice. The provincial tree is the gaub tree (Diospyros malabarica). The provincial fish is red tailed tinfoil (Barbonymus altus).

Administrative divisions

Provincial government

The province is divided into seven districts (amphoes). The districts are further subdivided into 73 subdistricts (tambons) and 513 villages (mubans). Mueang Ang Thong Chaiyo Pa Mok Pho Thong Sawaeng Ha Wiset Chai Chan Samko

Local government As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation () and 21 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. Ang Thong has town (thesaban mueang) status. Further 20 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). The non-municipal areas are administered by 43 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon).

Economy Economic output In 2022, Ang Thong province had an economic output of 31.947 billion baht (US$840 billion). This amounts to per capita gross provincial product (GPP) of 130,469 baht (US$3,430). table 10.1 and 10.2 Gross Provincial Product by Economic Activity - 2022 In 2024 the total labour force was 127,720 of which 125,244 persons were employed in economic activity. In agriculture and fishing 28,921 persons (23.1%) were employed and in the non-agricultural sector 96,323 persons (76.9%). table 2.2 and 2.4 Employed Persons by Economic Activity - 2024

+ Gross Provincial Product (GPP) ActivitiesBahtPercent1 Manufacturing 6,198,000,000 19.42 Agriculture and fishing 4,795,000,000 15.03 Trade 4,434,000,000 13.94 Mining 2,636,000,000 8.35 Energy 2,274,000,000 7.16 Finance 2,084,000,000 6.57 Education 1,944,000,000 6.18 Transportation 1,499,000,000 4.79 Human health 1,485,000,000 4.610 Defence + publ.admin. 1,358,000,000 4.311 Real estate 1,173,000,000 3.712 Construction 1,068,000,000 3.313 Information 312,000,000 1.014 Other service activity 227,000,000 0.715 Pastime 202,000,000 0.616 Water supply 153,000,000 0.517 Administration 64,000,000 0.218 Hotel and restaurant 35,000,000 0.119 Scientific activity 6,000,000 0.0   Total 31,947,000,000 100

+ Employed persons ActivitiesWorkforcePercent1 Agriculture and fishing 28,921 23.12 Manufacturing 25,182 20.13 Trade 22,034 17.64 Hotel and restaurant 11,876 9.55 Defence + publ.admin. 9,870 7.96 Construction 7,646 6.17 Education 3,738 3.08 Transportation 3,691 2.99 Human health 3,009 2.410 Other service activity 1,906 1.511 Administration 1,527 1.212 Water supply 1,206 0.913 Household enterprise 989 0.814 Finance 893 0.715 Pastime 854 0.716 Scientific activity 592 0.517 Energy 585 0.518 Mining 410 0.319 Real estate 202 0.220 Information 113 0.1   Total 125,244 100

Human achievement index 2022 Health Education Employment Income 55 12 16 25 Housing Family Transport Participation 34 77 25 25 Province Ang Thong, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6457 is "average", occupies place 32 in the ranking. Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017. RankClassification  1 - 13"high"14 - 29"somewhat high"30 - 45"average"46 - 61"somewhat low"62 - 77"low" Map with provinces and HAI 2022 rankings

Notable people Somsak Prissanananthakul: politician Pleumjit Thinkaow: world-class volleyball player Pipob Thongchai: activist Jermsak Pinthong: economist, political commentator, TV host Chaiya Mitchai: likay dancer, singer, actor, TV host Kohtee Aramboy: comedian, actor, TV host Ja R-Siam: singer

References

External links

Ang Thong provincial map, coat of arms and postage stamp Flag of Ang Thong province