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Phichit Province

Phichit
พิจิตร
Province
Official seal of Phichit
Seal
Map of Thailand highlighting Phichit Province
Map of Thailand highlighting Phichit Province
Country  Thailand
Capital Phichit town
Government
 • Governor Wirasak Wichitsaengsi (since October 2016)
Area
 • Total 4,531.0 km2 (1,749.4 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 47th
Population (2014)
 • Total 547,543
 • Rank Ranked 43rd
 • Density 120/km2 (310/sq mi)
 • Density rank Ranked 31st
HDI
 • HDI (2009) 0.693 (medium) (67th)
Time zone ICT (UTC+7)
Area code(s) 056, 055 (Sam Ngam and Wachirabarami
ISO 3166 code TH-66
Vehicle registration พิจิตร

Phichit (Thai: พิจิตร) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. It lies 330 km due north of Bangkok. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, and Kamphaeng Phet.

The Nan and Yom Rivers flow through Phichit Province, joining shortly before the Chao Phraya is formed. The province mainly consists of low fertile river plains, making rice and lotus the main crops.

The town of Phichit was established in 1058 by Phraya Kotabongthevaraja, and was first part of the Sukhothai Kingdom, and later of Ayutthaya.

The name of the main city changed several times. At first it was called Sa Luang ("city of the royal pond"). In Ayutthaya times it was called Okhaburi ("city in the swamp"), and then finally Phichit ("beautiful city").

The provincial seal shows a pond, which refers to the old name of Phichit, Mueang Sa Luang ("city of the royal pond"). The banyan tree in front refers to Wat Pho Prathap Chang. The temple was built in 1669-1671 by King Luang Sorasak, who was born in the village of Pho Prathap Chang, between a banyan and a sacred fig.

The flag of Phichit shows the circular provincial seal in the middle. It has three green bars and two white horizontal bars, with the middle bar being interrupted by the seal.

The provincial tree is the ironwood. The provincial flower is the lotus.


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