Ang Thong province

{{Short description|Province of Thailand}} {{Multiple issues| {{expand Thai|date=November 2025}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2017}} }} {{Infobox settlement | name = Ang Thong | native_name = อ่างทอง | native_name_lang = th | settlement_type = Province | image_skyline = {{multiple image | total_width = 300 | border = infobox | perrow = 1/2/2 | caption_align = center | image1 = Angthong Wat Muang 3.jpg | caption1 = Great Buddha of Thailand of {{ill|Wat Muang, Ang Thong|th|วัดม่วง (จังหวัดอ่างทอง)|lt=Wat Muang}} | image2 = Ang Thong - Pho Thong (2024) Reclining Buddha Wat Khun Inthapramun วัดขุนอินทประมูล - img 02.jpg | caption2 = Reclining Buddha of {{ill|Wat Khun Inthapramun|th|วัดขุนอินทประมูล}} | image3 = Ang Thong - Chaiyo (2024) - Phra Maha Buddha Phim พระมหาพุทธพิมพ์ วัดไชโย - img 20.jpg | caption3 = Big Buddha of {{ill|Wat Chaiyo Worawihan|th|วัดไชโยวรวิหาร}} | image4 = Ang Thong - Pa Mok (2024) Wat Pa Mok Reclining Buddha พระพุทธไสยาสน์ วัดป่าโมก - img 02.jpg | caption4 = Reclining Buddha of {{ill|Wat Pa Mok Worawihan|th|วัดป่าโมกวรวิหาร|lt=Wat Pa Mok}} | image5 = Angthong Bang Sadet Court Doll Centre 1.jpg | caption5 = Court doll workshop at Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Centre }} | nickname = | motto = พระสมเด็จเกษไชโย หลวงพ่อโตองค์ใหญ่ วีรไทยใจกล้า ตุ๊กตาชาววัง โด่งดังจักสาน ถิ่นฐานทำกลอง เมืองสองพระนอน <br> ("Phra Somdet Ket Chaiyo. Large Buddha image of Luang Pho To. Brave Thai heroes. Palace dolls. Famous Wickers. Homeland of drums production. City of two reclining buddhas."){{force singular}} | image_flag = Flag of Ang Thong Province.svg | image_seal = Seal of Ang Thong Province.svg | image_map = Thailand Ang Thong locator map.svg | mapsize = frameless | map_alt = | map_caption = Map of Thailand highlighting Ang Thong province | coordinates = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Thailand | seat_type = Capital | seat = Ang Thong | leader_party = | leader_title = Governor | leader_name = Chawanin Wongsathitjirakan | leader_party1 = | leader_title1 = {{nowrap|PAO Chief Executive}} | leader_name1 = Surachet Nimkul | area_footnotes = <ref name="AREA">{{cite web |url=https://www.forest.go.th |title=Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019 |publisher=Royal Forest Department |access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 950 | area_rank = 71st | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = <ref name="DOPA2024">{{cite web |url=https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statMenu/newStat/home.php |publisher=Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) |title=Official statistics registration systems |access-date=10 February 2025 |quote=, year 2024, provincial level, Excel File, no.15}}</ref> | population_total = {{decrease}}268,875 | population_as_of = 2024 | population_rank = 71st | population_density_km2 = 283 | population_density_rank = 12th | population_demonym = | population_note = | demographics_type2 = GDP | demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="NESDB-2017">{{cite journal|title=''Gross Regional and Provincial Product, 2019 Edition''|journal=Gross Regional and Provincial Product |date=July 2019|url=https://www.nesdc.go.th/ewt_dl_link.php?nid=5628&filename=gross_regional|access-date=22 January 2020|publisher=Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC)|language=en|issn=1686-0799}}</ref> | demographics2_title1 = Total | demographics2_info1 = baht 28 billion<br />(US$1.0 billion) (2019) | demographics_type1 = Human Achievement Index | demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="HAI 2565">{{cite web |url=https://www.nesdc.go.th/main.php?filename=Social_HAI |department=Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC)|title=ข้อมูลสถิติดัชนีความก้าวหน้าของคน ปี 2565 (PDF) |language=thai |trans-title=Human Achievement Index Databook year 2022 (PDF) |access-date=12 March 2024 |quote=, page 85}}</ref> | demographics1_title1 = HAI (2022) | demographics1_info1 = 0.6457&nbsp;"average"<br/>Ranked 32nd | timezone1 = ICT | utc_offset1 = +7 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 14xxx | area_code_type = Calling code | area_code = 035 | iso_code = TH-15 | website = {{URL|angthong.go.th}}<br>{{URL|angt.go.th}} | footnotes = }} '''Ang Thong''' ({{langx|th|อ่างทอง}}, {{IPA|th|ʔàːŋ tʰɔ̄ːŋ|pron}}) 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 {{ill|Wat Chaiyo Worawihan|th|วัดไชโยวรวิหาร}}, {{ill|Wat Khun Inthapramun|th|วัดขุนอินทประมูล}}, Wat Pa Mok Worawihan, {{ill|Wat Tonson|th|วัดต้นสน}}, Wat Mahanam, Wat Thasutthawat, Wat Siroi, Wat Khian and, {{ill|Wat Muang|th|วัดม่วง}} where the Great Buddha of Thailand is enshrined.<ref name=pro/>

==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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forest.go.th |title=ตารางที่ 2 พี้นที่ป่าไม้ แยกรายจังหวัด พ.ศ.2562 |year=2019 |department=Royal Forest Department |language=Thai |trans-title=Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019 |access-date=6 April 2021}} information, Forest statistics Year 2019.</ref> The two rivers, together with many canals (''khlongs''), provide enough water for rice farming.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ang Thong|url=https://www.tourismthailand.org/About-Thailand/Destination/Ang-Thong|website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref>

==History== thumb|Statue of Khun Rong Palat Chu|left 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thaipost.net/main/detail/22445|work=Thaipost|language=th|date=2018-11-21|access-date=2020-04-26|title=บวงสรวง 'ขุนรองปลัดชู' วีรชนที่ถูกลืมจากประวัติศาสตร์ไทย|trans-title=Tribute to 'Khun Rong Palat Chu' unsung hero from Thai history}}</ref>

==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'').<ref name=pro>{{cite web|url=http://123.242.159.135/2558/index.php/th/know_angthong/fish/14-about_history|title=ปลาประจำจังหวัด|date=2015-05-29|access-date=2020-04-22|trans-title=Provincial fish|language=th|work=Angthong province}}</ref>

==Administrative divisions==

===Provincial government=== thumb|left|Ang Thong with 7 districts The province is divided into seven districts (''amphoes''). The districts are further subdivided into 73 subdistricts (''tambons'') and 513 villages (''mubans''). {| class="wikitable" ---valign="top" || #Mueang Ang Thong #Chaiyo #Pa Mok #Pho Thong #Sawaeng Ha #Wiset Chai Chan #Samko |}

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===Local government=== As of 26 November 2019 there are:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dla.go.th/work/abt/province.jsp |title=Number of local government organizations by province |date=26 November 2019 |website=dla.go.th |publisher=Department of Local Administration (DLA) |access-date=10 December 2019 | quote=, 71 Ang Thong, 1 PAO, 1 Town mun., 20 Subdistrict mun., 43 SAO.}}</ref> one Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation (''{{lang|th-Latn|ongkan borihan suan changwat}}'') and 21 municipal (''thesaban'') areas in the province. Ang Thong has town (''thesaban mueang'') status.<ref>{{cite journal |date=29 November 1936 |title=พระราชกฤษฎีกา จัดตั้งเทศบาลเมืองอ่างทอง จังหวัดอ่างทอง พุทธศักราช ๒๔๗๙ |trans-title=Royal Decree Establishing of Ang Thong town municipality, Ang Thong province, Buddhist Era 2479. |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2479/A/842.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143644/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2479/A/842.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |access-date=10 December 2019 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |volume=54 |pages=842–845}}</ref> Further 20 subdistrict municipalities (''thesaban tambon''). The non-municipal areas are administered by 43 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (''ongkan borihan suan tambon'').

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==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).<ref>{{cite report |title=Ang Thong Provincial Statistical Report 2567-2024 |chapter=Economic Statistics - National Accounts |department=Ang Thong Provincial Statistical Office |publication-date=2024 |issn=1905-8314 |publisher=National Statistical Office (NSO)}} table 10.1 and 10.2 Gross Provincial Product by Economic Activity - 2022</ref> 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%).<ref>{{cite report |title=Ang Thong Provincial Statistical Report 2567-2024 |chapter=Labour Statistics |department=Ang Thong Provincial Statistical Office |publication-date=2024 |issn=1905-8314 |publisher=National Statistical Office (NSO)}} table 2.2 and 2.4 Employed Persons by Economic Activity - 2024</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="width:45%; display:inline-table;" |+ '''<big>Gross Provincial Product (GPP)</big>''' |- ! style="width:6%;"|&nbsp; ! style="width:44%;"|Activities ! style="width:30%;"|Baht ! style="width:20%;"|Percent |- | style="text-align:center; background:#1f77b4;"|1 ||Manufacturing ||style="text-align:right;"|6,198,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|19.4 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#aec7e8;"|2 ||Agriculture and fishing ||style="text-align:right;"|4,795,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|15.0 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#ff7f0e;"|3 ||Trade ||style="text-align:right;"|4,434,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|13.9 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#ffbb78;"|4 ||Mining ||style="text-align:right;"|2,636,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|8.3 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#2ca02c;"|5 ||Energy ||style="text-align:right;"|2,274,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|7.1 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#98df8a;"|6 ||Finance ||style="text-align:right;"|2,084,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|6.5 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#d62728;"|7 ||Education ||style="text-align:right;"|1,944,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|6.1 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#ff9896;"|8 ||Transportation ||style="text-align:right;"|1,499,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|4.7 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#9467bd;"|9 ||Human health ||style="text-align:right;"|1,485,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|4.6 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#c5b0d5;"|10 ||Defence + publ.admin. ||style="text-align:right;"|1,358,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|4.3 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#8c564b;"|11 ||Real estate ||style="text-align:right;"|1,173,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|3.7 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#c49c94;"|12 ||Construction ||style="text-align:right;"|1,068,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|3.3 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#e377c2;"|13 ||Information ||style="text-align:right;"|312,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|1.0 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|14 ||Other service activity ||style="text-align:right;"|227,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.7 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|15 ||Pastime ||style="text-align:right;"|202,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.6 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|16 ||Water supply ||style="text-align:right;"|153,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.5 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|17 ||Administration ||style="text-align:right;"|64,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.2 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|18 ||Hotel and restaurant ||style="text-align:right;"|35,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.1 |- |style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|19 ||Scientific activity ||style="text-align:right;"|6,000,000 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.0 |- ! &nbsp; !!Total !!31,947,000,000 !!100 |}

{| class="wikitable" style="width:45%; display:inline-table;" |+ '''<big>Employed persons</big>''' |- ! style="width:10%;"|&nbsp; ! style="width:50%;"|Activities ! style="width:20%;"|Workforce ! style="width:20%;"|Percent |- | style="text-align:center; background:#1f77b4;"|1 ||Agriculture and fishing ||style="text-align:right;"|28,921 ||style="text-align:center;"|23.1 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#aec7e8;"|2 ||Manufacturing ||style="text-align:right;"|25,182 ||style="text-align:center;"|20.1 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#ff7f0e;"|3 ||Trade ||style="text-align:right;"|22,034 ||style="text-align:center;"|17.6 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#ffbb78;"|4 ||Hotel and restaurant ||style="text-align:right;"|11,876 ||style="text-align:center;"|9.5 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#2ca02c;"|5 ||Defence + publ.admin. ||style="text-align:right;"|9,870 ||style="text-align:center;"|7.9 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#98df8a;"|6 ||Construction ||style="text-align:right;"|7,646 ||style="text-align:center;"|6.1 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#d62728;"|7 ||Education ||style="text-align:right;"|3,738 ||style="text-align:center;"|3.0 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#ff9896;"|8 ||Transportation ||style="text-align:right;"|3,691 ||style="text-align:center;"|2.9 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#9467bd;"|9 ||Human health ||style="text-align:right;"|3,009 ||style="text-align:center;"|2.4 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#c5b0d5;"|10 ||Other service activity ||style="text-align:right;"|1,906 ||style="text-align:center;"|1.5 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#8c564b;"|11 ||Administration ||style="text-align:right;"|1,527 ||style="text-align:center;"|1.2 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#c49c94;"|12 ||Water supply ||style="text-align:right;"|1,206 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.9 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|13 ||Household enterprise ||style="text-align:right;"|989 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.8 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|14 ||Finance ||style="text-align:right;"|893 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.7 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|15 ||Pastime ||style="text-align:right;"|854 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.7 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|16 ||Scientific activity ||style="text-align:right;"|592 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.5 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|17 ||Energy ||style="text-align:right;"|585 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.5 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|18 ||Mining ||style="text-align:right;"|410 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.3 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|19 ||Real estate ||style="text-align:right;"|202 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.2 |- | style="text-align:center; background:#e377c2;"|20 ||Information ||style="text-align:right;"|113 ||style="text-align:center;"|0.1 |- ! &nbsp; !!Total !!125,244 !!100 |}

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==Human achievement index 2022== {| class="wikitable floatright" style="width:400px;" |- | style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Health | style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Education | style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Employment | style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Income |- | 95px | 100px | 100px | 100px |- | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 55 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 12 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 16 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 25 |- | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Housing | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Family | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Transport | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Participation |- | style="height:100px;"| 100px | center|85px | 100px | 90px |- | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 34 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 77 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 25 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 25 |- | colspan="4"; style="background:black; color:white;"| 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.<ref name="HAI 2565" /> {| class="wikitable" ---valign=top ||Rank||Classification |- ||&nbsp;&nbsp;1 - 13||"high" |- ||14 - 29||"somewhat high" |- ||30 - 45||"average" |- ||46 - 61||"somewhat low" |- ||62 - 77||"low" |} {|role= "presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |<strong>Map with provinces and HAI 2022 rankings</strong> |- |950px |} {{clear}}

==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== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Wikivoyage inline|Ang Thong}} <!--*[http://kanchanapisek.or.th/cgi-bin/kp8/oncc/province.cgi?prov=c25 Golden Jubilee Network province guide] currently empty--> *[http://www.thailex.info/THAILEX/THAILEXENG/LEXICON/Angthong.htm Ang Thong provincial map, coat of arms and postage stamp] *[https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/th-167.html Flag of Ang Thong province]

{{Geographic location |Centre = Ang Thong province |North = Singburi province |Northeast = Lopburi province |East = |Southeast = Ayutthaya province |South = |Southwest = |West = Suphanburi province |Northwest = }}

{{Provinces of Thailand}} {{coord|14|35|20|N|100|27|17|E|type:adm1st_region:TH|display=title}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Ang Thong province Category:Provinces of Thailand