:Regions of Thailand

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Thailand is variably divided into different sets of regions, the most notable of which are the six-region grouping used in geographic studies, and the four-region grouping consistent with the Monthon administrative regional grouping system formerly used by the Ministry of Interior. These regions are the largest subdivisions of the country.

In contrast to the administrative divisions of the provinces of Thailand, the regions no longer have an administrative character, but are used for statistical or academic purposes.

Grouping systems

A six-region system is commonly used for geographical and scientific purposes. This system dates to 1935.{{cite book|title=Mundus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h-MvAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Regions+of+Thailand%22+%22National+Geographical+Committee%22|access-date=17 January 2012|year=1981|publisher=Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.|page=65}} It was formalised in 1977 by the National Geographical Committee, which was appointed by the National Research Council. It divides the country into the following regions:

The four-region system, used in some administrative and statistical contexts, and also as a loose cultural grouping, includes the western and eastern regions within the central region, while grouping the provinces of Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, and Uthai Thani in the northern region. This is also the regional system most commonly used on national television, when discussing regional events. It divides the country into the following regions:

The Thai Meteorological Department divides the country into six regions for meteorological purposes.{{cite web |title=Home; Weather |url=https://www.tmd.go.th/en/index.php |website=Thai Meteorological Department |access-date=4 October 2018}} It differs from the four-region system in that the east is regarded as a separate region, the south is divided into east and west coasts, and Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani are grouped in the central region.

= Comparison =

class="wikitable"

! Provinces !! Six-region (geographical) !! Four-region (political) !! Six-region (meteorological)

Amnat Charoen, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Yasothon

|Northeastern

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit

|Northern

|rowspan="4"|Northern

|rowspan="3"|Northern

Tak

|Western

Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai

|rowspan="4"|Central

Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani

|rowspan="2"|Central

Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri

|rowspan="5"|Central

Nakhon Nayok

|rowspan="2"|Eastern

Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

|Eastern

Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi

|rowspan="2"|Western

|Central

Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan

|rowspan="2"|Southern, East Coast

Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Yala

|rowspan="2"|Southern

Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Trang

|Southern, West Coast

Regional economic disparities

Thailand's economic activities are concentrated in Bangkok and the central region. In 2013, the central region's gross regional product (GRP) contributed 40.9 percent to Thailand's GDP. Other regions accounted for 10.9 percent (northeastern); 8.8 percent (northern); and 8.6 percent (southern). GRP per capita varied. The average GRP per capita of the central region was 280,734 baht, while that of the northeastern region was 74,532 baht.{{cite web|title=The Twelfth National Economic and Social Development Plan, 2017–2021| url=http://www.nesdb.go.th/nesdb_en/ewt_w3c/ewt_dl_link.php?nid=4345|website=Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB)|pages=58–59|access-date=10 October 2017}}

Human Development Regions {{anchor|List of regions of Thailand by Human Development Index}}

This is a list of the 4 Thai regions and the capital city of Bangkok by Human Development Index as of 2024 with data for the year 2022.{{Cite web|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab| url = https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/THA/?levels=1+4&years=2022&extrapolation=0 |access-date=|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"
Rank !Region !HDI (2022)
colspan="4" style="color:green;" \|Very High Human Development
1 \|Bangkok \|0.836
2 \|Central Thailand (excluding Bangkok) \|0.808
style="background:#e6e6e6" \| \|{{Flag\|Thailand}} \|0.803
colspan="4" style="color:#0c0;" \|High Human Development
3 \|Southern Thailand \|0.791
4 \|Northern Thailand \|0.787
5 \|Northeastern Thailand \|0.782

class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"

Rank

!Region

!HDI (2022)

colspan="4" style="color:green;" |Very High Human Development

|Bangkok

|0.836

|Central Thailand (excluding Bangkok)

|0.808

style="background:#e6e6e6"

|{{Flag|Thailand}}

|0.803