Hua Hin district in Thailand's new 77th province

[Bas]

Feasibility study conducted for Thailand's new province

Interior Minister Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wanthana has initiated a feasibility study to establish a new province to celebrate the 80th Birthday of His Majesty the King next year.

If it comes to pass, the new province will include three districts--Hua Hin, Pranburi in the country's upper southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Cha-am in nearby Petchaburi Province, as well as a sub-district--Sam Roy Yod--in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Marshal Kongsak said.

His Majesty the King's Klaikangvol Palace is located at the seaside district of Hua Hin.

The elevatation of the three districts to provincial status is anticipated to take place before the end of 2007.

The study will be forwarded to the new government for its consideration.

Permanent Secretary for Interior Sucharit Patchimnun said the ministry is now surveying the population in the targeted and nearby areas.

Establishing Thailand's 77th province will increase the capability of the local authority in management, Mr. Sucharit said.

The matter will be discussed by the cabinet and His Majesty the King may be asked to bestow a name for the new province.

TNA 2006-08-30

[VincentD]

Today's Bangkok Post also indicate that the idea was hatched by the caretaker prime minister...

Sounds in similar vein to making area around the new airport into a 'special zone' or new province...

An unecessary exercise if you ask me.

[Bamboo Grove]

On Itv's broadcast this morning somebody suggested the province to be named "Klai Kangwong" which is the name of the King's summer palace here in Hua Hin. Far from The Worries - not a bad name, though.

[Jaime]

Mrs Jaime's cousins (by marriage) - native Thai Hua Hinians - have been talking about this for a couple of years. It seems that it has a lot to do with the status that Hua Hin has as a result of the king's presence and with the increasing gravitational pull of Hua Hin as a centre in its own right.