U Thong อู่ทอง |
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Amphoe | |
Amphoe location in Suphan Buri Province |
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Coordinates: 14°22′32″N 99°53′32″E / 14.37556°N 99.89222°ECoordinates: 14°22′32″N 99°53′32″E / 14.37556°N 99.89222°E | |
Country | Thailand |
Province | Suphan Buri |
Area | |
• Total | 630.29 km2 (243.36 sq mi) |
Population (2013) | |
• Total | 121,421 |
Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) |
Postal code | 72160 |
Geocode | 7209 |
U Thong (Thai: อู่ทอง; IPA: [ʔùː tʰɔ̄ːŋ]) is the district (amphoe) in the western part of Suphan Buri Province, north of Bangkok.
Higham states, "U-Thong was occupied for many centuries prior to the development of the Dvaravati state. Radiocarbon determinations from the sites of U-Thong and Chansen suggest that the transition into complex state societies in the Chao Phraya basin took place between about 300-600 AD." A copper inscription from the mid-7th century states, "Sri Harshavarman, grandson of Ishanavarman, having expanded his sphere of glory, obtained the lion throne through regular succession," and mentions gifts to a linga. The site includes a moat, 1,690 by 840 m, and the Pra Paton caitya.
It also became the origin of Ayutthaya Kingdom, as the first King of Ayutthaya Ramathibodi was prince of U Thong before.
U Thong District was created with the name Chorakhe Sam Phan in 1905. In 1939 the district was renamed to U Thong. In 1944, the government moved the centre of the district from Ban Chorakhe Sam Phan to the area of the ancient city.
Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Don Chedi, Mueang Suphan Buri, Bang Pla Ma, Song Phi Nong of Suphan Buri Province, Lao Khwan, Huai Krachao and Phanom Thuan of Kanchanaburi Province.