Suphan Buri สุพรรณบุรี |
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Province | ||
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Nickname(s): Suphan | ||
Map of Thailand highlighting Suphan Buri Province |
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Country | Thailand | |
Capital | Sanam Chai | |
Government | ||
• Governor | Suphiphat Chongphanit (since October 2013) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 5,358 km2 (2,069 sq mi) | |
Area rank | Ranked 40th | |
Population (2014) | ||
• Total | 849,053 | |
• Rank | Ranked 24th | |
• Density | 160/km2 (410/sq mi) | |
• Density rank | Ranked 18th | |
Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
ISO 3166 code | TH-72 |
Suphan Buri (Thai: สุพรรณบุรี, pronounced [sù.pʰān būrīː]) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi.
The word Suphan originates from the Sanskrit word Suvarna (Devanagari: ), meaning gold, and the word buri from Sanskrit Purī (Devanagari: ), meaning town or city. Hence the name of the province literally means City of Gold.
The terrain of the province is mostly low river plains, with small mountain ranges in the north and the west of the province. The southeastern part with the very low plain of the Tha Chin River is paddy rice farming area.
Suphan Buri might be the site of the legendary Suvarnabhumi, which is mentioned in very old Buddhist writings. However the first confirmed historical settlement was in the Dvaravati period, when the city was known as Meuang Thawarawadi Si Suphannaphumi ("the Dvaravati city of Suvarnabhumi"). Its founding did take place 877-882. Later it was called U Thong, and was the home city of Prince U Thong, the founder of the Ayutthaya kingdom. King Khun Luang Pha Ngua finally gave it the current name. Suphan Buri was an important border city, and also the location of several battles with the neighbouring Burmese.