A monthon (English circle, ) was a subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. They were created as a part of the thesaphiban (เทศาภิบาล - literally translates to control over territory) administrative system, introduced by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. Together with the monthon also the still existing provinces (changwat), districts (amphoe) and communes (tambon) were established step by step nationwide. Each monthon was led by a royal commissoner also called thesaphiban. The system was officially adopted by the 1897 Local Administration Act, after some monthon were established before and the details of administration were tried out. It however took till around 1910 that the system was implemented in the whole country. The main reason for the slow implementation was the lack of suitable educated officials, but also the resistance of the traditional local leaders.
Before the thesaphiban reforms, the country consisted of partially independent cities named Mueang, some directly subordinate of the capital, some subordinate of larger Mueang or of one of the tributary kingdoms. Before the reforms the governors lived from taxes they collected in their area and inherited the governor post within their family. These were converted into a normal official post, paid by the central government, and the Mueang developed into provinces. The term changwat for the provinces was first used in 1907 for the provinces in Monthon Pattani, and in 1916 it became in general use.
In 1915 there were 19 circles containing 72 provinces, however due to economic problems several monthon were merged in 1925, monthon Phetchabun was already dissolved in 1915. Only 14 monthon remained: Chanthaburi, Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Sawan, Pattani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Phayap, Phitsanulok, Phuket, Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya, Udon Thani and Krung Thep (Bangkok). They were finally abolished in 1933 with the Provincial Administration Act B.E. 2476, part of the changes made after the coup d'etat which the absolut monarchy to a democracy. Since then the 70 provinces were the second level administrative division.
List of monthons
North
Phayap: The monthon was originally called monthon fai tawan-tok chiang nua, or north-western monthon in 1899, but was renamed to Phayap one year later. The actual administrative reform was established gradually between 1907 and 1915, succeeding the previous high commissionership. It covered the northern principalities of former Lannathai, the provinces Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Nan and Phrae.
Maharat: The monthon Maharat was created in 1915, when the monthon Phayap was split into two halves. It covered the eastern part of former Phayap, i.e. the provinces Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang and Phrae.
Phitsanulok: Monthon Phitsanulok was established in 1894. It covered the provinces Phitsanulok, Phichai, Phichit, Sukhothai, Sawankhalok.
Phetchabun: Monthon Phetchabun was split off from monthon Nakhon Ratchasima in 1899. It consisted of the two provinces Lom Sak and Phetchabun, which were later merged. It then became the only monthon covering a single province. It was temporarily included into the monthon Pitsanulok from 1903-1907, before it was finally abolished in 1915 and incorporated into monthon Phitsanulok.
North-East
Nakhon Ratchasima: Monthon Nakhon Ratchasima was the first monthon to be created in 1893. It covered the provinces Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum. In 1899 the monthon Phetchabun was split off from Khorat.
Isan: Monthon Isan was established in 1900. In June 1912 it was split into the two parts - monthon Roi-Et and monthon Ubon.
Roi-Et: Monthon Roi-Et was split from monthon Isan in 1912. It contained the provinces Roi Et, Kalasin and Maha Sarakham.
Ubon Rachathani: Monthon Ubon was split from monthon Isan in 1912. It contained the provinces Ubon Ratchathani, Khukhan, Sisaket and Surin.
Phuket: Monthon Phuket was established in 1898, succeeding a previously established commissionership. It constisted of the provinces Phuket, Thalang, Ranong, Phang Nga, Takua Pa and Krabi. In 1907 Satun was added when most of the area of monthon Kedah was ceded to Britain.
Chumphon: Monthon Chumphon was established in 1896 consisting of the provinces Chumphon, Chaiya, Kanchanadit, Lang Suan, Ban Don. Chaiya, Kanchanadit and Ban Don were later merged into the province Surat Thani, which became the capital of the monthon in 1905. 1925 the monthon was incorporated into monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Pattani: Monthon Pattani was created in 1906, and covered the so-called Seven Malay ProvincesPattani (Tani), Yala, Sai Buri, Yaring, Nong Chik, Raman, Ra-ngae.
Kedah (Triburi): Monthon Kedah was established in 1897. It covered the provinces Kedah, Perlis and Satun. In 1907 Kedah was ceded to Britain, Satun as the only remaining province was added to monthon Phuket.
Central
Krung Thep (Bangkok): The area around the capital was under the control of the ministry of Urban Affairs, however a similar administration was established with the monthon Krung Theb in 1897. It consisted of the provinces Phra Nakhon, Thon Buri, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phra Pradaeng (Nakhon Khueankhan), Samut Prakan, Thanyaburi, Min Buri. Pathum Thani and Thanyaburi later transferred to monthon Ayutthaya. In 1915 it was renamed to Krung Thep Phra Maha Nakhon (Bangkok metropolis). In 1922 the ministry of Urban Affairs was dissolved and put under the Ministry of Interior, like all the other monthon.
Burapa: Monthon Burapha was established in 1903, and covered the provinces Sisophon, Battambang, Phanomsok and Siamriap, all in modern day Cambodia. In 1906 the area was ceded to French Indochina.
Chanthaburi: Monthon Chanthaburi was established in 1906, covering the provinces Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat. The monthon was created just after the area of monthon Burapa was ceded, and the French returned the province Trat to Thai authority.
Boriwen
The larger monthon Phayap, Udon Thani and Isan had an additional administrative level between monthon and provincial administration. Three to five boriwen (บริเวณ), each administrated by a commissioner (khaluang boriwen, ข้าหลวงบริเวณ).
References
Tej Bunnag, The Provincial Administration of Siam 1892-1915, ISBN 0195803434
"Monthon".
