Maha Sarakham (Thai มหาสารคาม) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Kalasin, Roi Et, Surin, Buriram and Khon Kaen.

Geography

The province is mostly a plain covered with rice fields, only in the north and east are little hills. The province is between 130 and 230 m above sea level. The main river in the province is the river Chi.

History

Maha Sarakham was originally a satellite town of Roi Et founded in 1865. The governor of Roi Et sent 9,000 people to populate the new town, and one of his cousins as the its governor. In 1868 the central government in Bangkok declared Maha Sarakham a province of its own under the supervision of Bangkok, one of the reasons was that this step weakened the power of Roi Et.

Symbols

The provincial seal show a big tree in front of big rice fields, symbolizing the richness of resources in the province. The flag of the province shows the seal in the middle, in a brown horizontal strip. Above and below is a yellow strip. The brown color symbolizes the strength and the perseverance of the people in the province, who live in the rather dry climate; the yellow color as the color of the robes of buddhist monks symbolizes the faith of the people. Provincial tree is the Indian Walnut (Albizia lebbeck ). The tree symbol was assigned to the province in 1994 by Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara. Provincial flower is the West Indian Jasmine (Plumeria alba).

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 11 districts (Amphoe) and 2 minor districts (King Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 133 communes (tambon) and 1804 villages.

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
• Golden Jubilee Network province guide