Suphanburi Province
Suphan Buri () is one of the central
provinces (
changwat) of
Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise)
Uthai Thani,
Chai Nat,
Sing Buri,
Ang Thong,
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya,
Nakhon Pathom and
Kanchanaburi.
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 Cheen river is paddy
rice farming area.
Approximate centre:
Suphan Buri might be the site of the legendary
Suvannabhumi, 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 Mueang Thawarawadi Si Suphannaphumi. 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 neighboring
Burmese.
{|- valign=top|
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Seal_suphanburi.png |
|The provincial seal shows the elephant battle between King
Naresuan the Great and the crown prince of Burma in
1592, which took place in Suphan Buri.
Provincial tree is the
Ebony Tree (
Diospyros mollis).
