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นครปฐม
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Nakhon Pathom
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2,1683
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65th
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815,122
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2000
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26th
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376
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8th
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TH-73
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Prasat Phongsiwaphai
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2004
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(
Thai นครปฐม) is one of the central
Provinces (''changwat'') of
Thailand . Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise)
Suphan Buri ,
Ayutthaya ,
Nonthaburi ,
Bangkok ,
Samut Sakhon ,
Ratchaburi and
Kanchanaburi .
Nakhon Pathom is located in the alluvial plain of central Thailand. It is drained by the Tha Chin river (also called Nakhon Chaisi river), a
Distributary of the
Chao Phraya river. The urban area of Bangkok has already grown until the provincial borders to Nakhon Pathom.
The name Nakhon Pathom derives from the
Pali ''Nagara Pathama'', meaning ''First city'', and is thus often referred as the oldest city of Thailand. It was already an important center during the
Dvaravati kingdom from the
6th Century until the
11th Century , however it might even be older. Some historians speculate it dates back to the
3rd Century BC , when Buddhist missionaries from India visited there.
Originally Nakhon Pathom was a coastal city, however due to the sedimentation of the Chao Phraya river the coast line moved away from the city. When the Tha Chin river changed its course, the city was removed from water and was deserted, the population moved to the new city of Nakhon Chaisi (or Sirichai). King
Mongkut (Rama IV) moved the population back to the old city in 1870, after the restoration of
Phra Pathom Chedi was finished.
The province is subdivided into 7 districts (''
Amphoe ''). The districts are further subdivided into 105 communes (''
Tambon '') and 919 villages. There is one city (''thesaban nakhon'') and 14 townships (''thesaban tambon''). There are also 102 tambon administrative organizations (TAO).
