| Phatthalung is an ancient city in southern
Thailand. It is a land of mountains. In town is Khao Ok Thalu, which is
clearly visible from afar. Phatthalung is regarded as the birthplace of
the shadow play and the Nora dance. From ancient times to the present,
Phatthalung has been closely linked to Songkhla Province, particularly
in terms of geography, history and migratory settlements through many
ages. During the Srivijaya period (13th-14th Buddhist century), the
Phatthalung community received Indian cultural influence in the way of
Mahayana Buddhism. In the reign of King Ramathibodi I (U Thong) of
Ayutthaya, Phatthalung became one of twelve royal cities. Later during
the reign of King Rama I in the Rattanakosin period, the king had the
Ministry of Defense oversee Phatthalung, upgraded it to secondary city
status and moved it to the mouth of Pam River.
When there was an administration reform in the reign of King Rama V,
Phatthalung prefecture came under Nakhon Si Thammarat prefecture until
1924, when King Rama VI relocated the city to Tambon Khuha Sawan where
it has been ever since. Upon the abolition of the prefecture system in
1933, Phatthalung became a province outright.
Phatthalung
city is situated on the west bank of Songkhla Lake, about 846
kilometres from Bangkok. It has an area of 3,424.473 square kilometres
and is divided into 10 districts and 1 sub-district, as follows: Mueang
Phatthalung, Khuan Khanun, Pak Phayun, Kong Ra, Tamot, Khao Chaison, Pa
Bon, Bang Kaeo, Si Banphot, Pa Phayom, and the sub-district of
Srinagarindra.
Boundary
North - Borders Chauat in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Ranot in Songkhla.
South - Borders Rattaphum and Khuan Niang in Songkhla and Khuan Kalong in Satun.
East - Borders Songkhla Lake, Ranot, Krasae Sin, Sathing Phra, and Singhanakhon in Songkhla.
West - Borders Nakhon Si Thammarat (Banthat) mountain range, Huai Yot, Mueang Trang, Na Yong, Yan Ta Khao, and Palian in Trang.
Car
From Bangkok, there are 3 ways. The first is via the Phetchakasem
National Highway No. 4 to Chumphon (Phathom Phon junction) into Ranong,
Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang, and Phatthalung. The total distance is 1,140
kilometres. The second route is to Chumphon and then onto Highway No.
41 (Asia) to Phatthalung, a total distance of around 846 kilometres.
The third route is to Nakhon Si Thammarat via Chumphon and Surat Thani,
then onto Highway No. 403 and Highway No. 41 to Phatthalung.
Bus
Transport Co. has daily Bangkok-Phatthalung services. For more
information, please call 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 1200 or Phatthalung Bus
Terminal, tel:0 7461 2070 or visit www.transport.co.th
Rail
The southern line runs through Phatthalung town, Khuan Khanun, Khao
Chaison, Pak Phayun, Pa Bon, and Bang Kaeo. Trains leave the Bangkok
Railway Station (Hualamphong) daily at 12.25 p.m., 2.20 p.m., 2.45
p.m., 3.50 p.m. and 10.50 p.m. For more information, please call 1690,
0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020, Phatthalung Railway Station tel: 0 7461 3106
or visit www.railway.co.th
Air
Phatthalung does not have an airport but can be accessed via those in
nearby provinces. Please call Thai Airways at 1566 (information) or
tel: 0 2280 0060 (reservation), in Trang at tel: 0 7521 8066 or 0 7521
9923, in Nakhon Si Thammarat at tel: 0 7531 1158, 0 7534 2491 or 0 7534
3874, and in Hat Yai at tel: 0 7424 5851-2, 0 7424 3711, or 0 7423 3433.
Distance from Amphoe Mueang to Neighbouring Districts :
Khuan Khanun
Khao Chaison
Pak Phayun
Kong Ra
Tamot
Pa Bon
Si Banphot
Bang Kaeo
Pa Phayom
Srinagarindra |
17
28
66
40
39
50
35
40
38
16 |
kms.
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