✅ Updated on 06.11.2025
Does Thailand Have 76 or 77 Provinces?
There are 77 provinces in Thailand, including Bangkok. Some sources, like Wikipedia, refer to Bangkok as a “special administrative area.” That’s correct — but it’s also officially considered a province.
If you search in Thai rather than English, you’ll find several official government websites confirming that Bangkok is counted as one of the provinces. For example:
- thaigov.go.th — The Royal Thai Government website publishes a performance report where, on page 58, it clearly states “77 Thai provinces.”
- ppho.go.th — The Phichit Provincial Public Health Office lists all 77 provinces in Thailand.
List of all 77 Thai Provinces
Below is a complete list of the 77 provinces in Thailand (including Bangkok) with their region, area, and latest population estimates (as of December 2024). This table is useful if you’re looking for a map of Thailand provinces or want to compare population sizes and land areas across the country.
| Region | Province | Area (km²) | Population (Dec 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern | Chiang Mai | 22,311 | 1,799,000 |
| Northern | Chiang Rai | 11,503 | 1,298,000 |
| Northern | Lampang | 12,488 | 704,000 |
| Northern | Lamphun | 4,478 | 397,000 |
| Northern | Mae Hong Son | 12,765 | 288,000 |
| Northern | Nan | 12,130 | 471,000 |
| Northern | Phayao | 6,189 | 455,000 |
| Northern | Phrae | 6,483 | 422,000 |
| Northern | Uttaradit | 7,906 | 436,000 |
| Northeastern | Amnat Charoen | 3,290 | 372,000 |
| Northeastern | Bueng Kan | 4,003 | 419,000 |
| Northeastern | Buriram | 10,080 | 1,566,000 |
| Northeastern | Chaiyaphum | 12,698 | 1,106,000 |
| Northeastern | Kalasin | 6,936 | 962,000 |
| Northeastern | Khon Kaen | 10,659 | 1,772,000 |
| Northeastern | Loei | 10,500 | 632,000 |
| Northeastern | Maha Sarakham | 5,607 | 930,000 |
| Northeastern | Mukdahan | 4,126 | 351,000 |
| Northeastern | Nakhon Phanom | 5,637 | 711,000 |
| Northeastern | Nakhon Ratchasima | 20,736 | 2,620,000 |
| Northeastern | Nong Bua Lamphu | 4,099 | 504,000 |
| Northeastern | Nong Khai | 3,275 | 512,000 |
| Northeastern | Roi Et | 7,873 | 1,276,000 |
| Northeastern | Sakon Nakhon | 9,580 | 1,138,000 |
| Northeastern | Sisaket | 8,936 | 1,442,000 |
| Northeastern | Surin | 8,854 | 1,360,000 |
| Northeastern | Ubon Ratchathani | 15,626 | 1,868,000 |
| Northeastern | Udon Thani | 11,072 | 1,552,000 |
| Northeastern | Yasothon | 4,131 | 525,000 |
| Eastern | Chachoengsao | 5,169 | 733,000 |
| Eastern | Chanthaburi | 6,415 | 536,000 |
| Eastern | Chonburi | 4,508 | 1,636,000 |
| Eastern | Prachin Buri | 5,026 | 501,000 |
| Eastern | Rayong | 3,666 | 782,000 |
| Eastern | Sa Kaeo | 6,831 | 562,000 |
| Eastern | Trat | 2,866 | 227,000 |
| Southern | Chumphon | 5,998 | 508,000 |
| Southern | Krabi | 5,323 | 484,000 |
| Southern | Nakhon Si Thammarat | 9,885 | 1,535,000 |
| Southern | Narathiwat | 4,491 | 824,000 |
| Southern | Pattani | 1,977 | 741,000 |
| Southern | Phang Nga | 5,495 | 266,000 |
| Southern | Phatthalung | 3,861 | 519,000 |
| Southern | Phuket | 547 | 430,000 |
| Southern | Ranong | 3,230 | 193,000 |
| Southern | Satun | 3,019 | 325,000 |
| Southern | Songkhla | 7,741 | 1,431,000 |
| Southern | Surat Thani | 13,079 | 1,077,000 |
| Southern | Trang | 4,726 | 635,000 |
| Southern | Yala | 4,476 | 553,000 |
| Central | Ang Thong | 950 | 269,000 |
| Central | Bangkok | 1,564 | 5,456,000 |
| Central | Chainat | 2,506 | 314,000 |
| Central | Kamphaeng Phet | 8,512 | 701,000 |
| Central | Lopburi | 6,493 | 725,000 |
| Central | Nakhon Nayok | 2,141 | 260,000 |
| Central | Nakhon Pathom | 2,142 | 926,000 |
| Central | Nakhon Sawan | 9,526 | 1,014,000 |
| Central | Nonthaburi | 637 | 1,318,000 |
| Central | Pathum Thani | 1,520 | 1,236,000 |
| Central | Phetchabun | 12,340 | 961,000 |
| Central | Phichit | 4,319 | 517,000 |
| Central | Phitsanulok | 10,589 | 839,000 |
| Central | Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | 2,548 | 823,000 |
| Central | Samut Prakan | 947 | 1,381,000 |
| Central | Samut Sakhon | 866 | 591,000 |
| Central | Samut Songkhram | 414 | 187,000 |
| Central | Saraburi | 3,499 | 639,000 |
| Central | Singburi | 817 | 200,000 |
| Central | Sukhothai | 6,671 | 573,000 |
| Central | Suphan Buri | 5,410 | 822,000 |
| Central | Uthai Thani | 6,647 | 320,000 |
| Western | Kanchanaburi | 19,385 | 896,000 |
| Western | Phetchaburi | 6,172 | 484,100 |
| Western | Prachuap Khiri Khan | 6,414 | 552,000 |
| Western | Ratchaburi | 5,189 | 864,000 |
| Western | Tak | 17,303 | 699,000 |
💡 In Thai, the word for province is pronounced changwat.
Map of Thai Provinces
You can open the map in a new window, save it to your device, or share the link with a friend.
Administrative Structure of Thai Provinces
Thailand’s provinces are divided into districts (amphoe), then into subdistricts (tambon), and finally into villages (muban). For example, Ko Samui is a district in Surat Thani Province, while Patong is a subdistrict of Kathu District in Phuket Province. A muban is similar to a gated residential village with a checkpoint at the entrance.
Each province has a capital city (administrative center) that shares the same name as the province. For example, the capital of Phuket Province is Phuket. To avoid confusion, foreigners often call it Phuket Town.
Districts also have their own administrative centers. For instance, Pattaya is the administrative center of Bang Lamung District in Chonburi Province, and Hua Hin is the center of Hua Hin District in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
Every province is headed by a governor appointed by the central government — except for Bangkok, where the governor is elected by residents. In 2022, Chadchart Sittipunt became Bangkok’s governor with 52.65% of the vote, winning in all 50 districts of the city. He had previously served as Thailand’s Minister of Transport from 2012 to 2014.
Interesting Facts About Thailand’s Provinces
- People in different provinces speak distinct dialects. In Chiang Mai and the north, the Lanna (Tai Yuan) dialect is common. In the northeast Thailand provinces, locals speak the Isan dialect, which is closely related to Lao. In the south, you’ll notice strong Malay influence, especially in the Muslim-majority provinces.
- The economies of Thai provinces vary widely. Phuket, Krabi, and Ko Samui rely heavily on tourism, while Surin, Sakon Nakhon, and Yasothon are more focused on agriculture. In provinces less visited by foreigners — for example, Buriram — attitudes toward tourists can be a bit unusual. A friend of mine travels there for motorcycle races and jokes that locals react as if to say: “How did you make it all the way from Phuket? Don’t you have your own tourist reservation down there?” (No negativity, just humor.)
- Every province is proud of its own traditions and festivals. In Loei Province, the famous Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) features homemade rockets launched to call for rain. In Chiang Mai, the stunning Loy Krathong celebration fills the sky with thousands of lanterns. And in Buriram, football and motorsport are passions — fans cheer for Buriram United, and the Chang International Circuit hosts the MotoGP.
FAQs
Bangkok is both a city and a province. Officially, it is a special administrative area of Thailand, but it has the same legal status as the other 77 provinces in Thailand. The key difference is in governance: while other provincial governors are appointed by the central government, Bangkok’s governor is elected directly by residents.
The smallest province in Thailand by area is Samut Songkhram, located in the central region. It covers just 414 km² but is rich in culture, famous for the Amphawa Floating Market and the Mae Klong Railway Market, where vendors quickly move their stalls as trains pass through.
The biggest province in Thailand by area is Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, located in the northeastern region. It spans 20,736 km², making it larger than some small countries. Nakhon Ratchasima is an important gateway to the Isan region.
The richest province in Thailand by GDP is Bangkok. It’s the capital and the main economic center of the country, generating a huge share of Thailand’s total economic output. Here you’ll find major companies, government offices, international trade hubs, and the country’s busiest airport — Suvarnabhumi.
If we don’t count Bangkok, the highest GDP per person is usually in Rayong Province in eastern Thailand, thanks to its industrial estates, oil refineries, and the deep-sea port at Map Ta Phut.
It’s hard to pick just one — it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want beaches and nightlife, Phuket and Krabi are hard to beat. For mountains, temples, and a more relaxed vibe, many choose Chiang Mai in the north. And if you want to explore authentic rural life, provinces in northeast Thailand like Loei or Nakhon Phanom can be amazing.
Thailand is generally safe for travelers, but if we talk about regions, many people consider northern and central Thailand to be the safest. Cities like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Lampang have low crime rates and a relaxed pace of life.
The southern border provinces — Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat — sometimes make the news because of security issues, but the rest of the south, including Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani, is safe for tourists.
As always, safety also depends on common sense — stay aware of your surroundings, avoid risky situations, and you’ll be fine anywhere in Thailand.
