Sisaket (Thai ศรีสะเกษ) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Surin, Roi Et, Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani. To the south it borders Cambodia.

Geography

The province is located in the valley of the Mun river, a tributary of the Mekong. To the south of the province is the Dongrek mountain chain , which also forms the boundary to Cambodia.

History

Due to the many ruins found in the province the area must have been an important settlement already in the times of the Khmer empire in the 12th century. According to local tradition it was called Sri Nakorn Lamduan at that time, later it became known as Khu Khan. In 1759 it was promoted to city status and a governor was assigned to it. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). In 1938 the povincial capital was moved to Amphur Sisaket and the Province was renamed Sisaket.

Demographics

26.2% of the population are of the Khmer speaking minority.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the Prasat Hin Ban Samo, a Khmer temple about 1000 years old, located in the Prang Ku district. The symbol flower and tree of the province is the White Cheesewood (Melodorum fruticosum). The six leaves of the flower refer to the six original districts of the province - Kukan, Kantharalak, Uthumphon Phisai, Kanthararom, Rasi Salai and Khun Han.

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 20 districts (Amphoe) and 2 minor districts (King Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 206 communes (tambon) and 2411 villages.

External links

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