Amnat Charoen Province


Amnat Charoen is one of Thailand's seventy-seven provinces lies in central northeastern Thailand also called Isan. Neighbouring provinces are Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, and Mukdahan. To the east it borders Salavan of Laos. Its name is a concatenation of อำนาจ and เจริญ.

Geography

The province is in the Mekong valley. In dry season, from February to May, water in Mekong River declines, and allows islands to appear. Islands include Kaeng Tanglang at Si Sombun Village, close to Amphoe Chanuman, and Kaeng Hin Khan at Ban Hin Khan, 30 kilometres south of Amphoe Chanuman. The other two rivers in the province are the Lam Sae Bok and Lam Sae Bai.
Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park occupies part of Amnat Charoen Province.

History

Amnat Charoen gained city status during the reign of King Rama III. It was first administered from Nakhon Khemarat, and later from Ubon Ratchathani. It became a province in its own right on 12 January 1993, when it was split off from Ubon Ratchathani. It is thus one of the four newest provinces of Thailand, together with Nong Bua Lam Phu and Sa Kaeo, both also established in 1993, and Bueng Kan, established in 2011.

Economy

The province is overwhelmingly agricultural. In 2008, Amnat Charoen locals developed the so-called "Dhamma agriculture" model based on self-governance and aimed at making the province a hub for organic farming. According to the Office of Agriculture Economics, Amnat Charoen in 2016 had a total of 883,499 rai planted in hom mali rice. Sugarcane plantations increased from 40,688 rai in 2015 to 51,446 rai in 2016.

Symbols

In the middle of the provincial seal is an image of the Buddha called Phra Mongkol Ming Muang. Also known as Phra Yai, this 20 m high statue is among the most sacred in the city of Amnat Charoen.
The provincial tree is Hopea ferrea.
The provincial slogan is Phra Mongkhon, seven river basins, sacred caves, Phra Lao, beautiful islands and mountain, precious silk and religious people.

Administrative divisions

Provincial government

The province is divided into seven districts. The districts are further divided into 56 subdistricts and 653 villages.

Local government

As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Amnat Charoen Provincial Administration Organisation and 24 municipal areas in the province. Amnat Charoen has town status. Further 23 subdistrict municipalities.The non-municipal areas are administered by 39 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO.

Human achievement index 2017

Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human achievement index, a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board has taken over this task since 2017.