The word suphan originates from the Sanskrit word Suvarna, meaning 'gold', and the wordburi from Sanskrit purī, meaning 'town' or 'city'. Hence the name of the province literally means 'city of gold'.
Geography
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 Chin River is paddy rice farming area.
History
Suphan Buri might be the site of the legendary Suvarnabhumi, 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 Meuang Thawarawadi Si Suphannaphumi. Its founding took place c. 877-882. Later it was called U Thong, and was the home city ofPrince U Thong, the founder of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. King Khun Luang Pha Ngua gave it the current name. Suphan Buri was a border city, and the site of several battles with the neighbouring Burmese.
Economy
The province is Thailand's largest producer of water chestnuts, grown mainly in Mueang Suphan Buri, Sam Chuk, and the Si Prachan Districts of the province. About half of the province's 3,000 rai of cultivated water chestnuts are found in Tambon Wang Yang of Si Prachan. The vegetable was registered as a geographical indication product of Suphan Buri in 2017. The Thai dessert thapthim krop, with water chestnuts as its main ingredient, was named one of the world's best 50 desserts in 2019 by CNN Travel.
Symbols
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. The provincial tree is the ebony tree, มะเกลือ.
Administrative divisions
Provincial government
The province is divided into 10 districts. The districts are further divided into 110 subdistricts and 977 villages.
Local government
As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Suphan Buri Provincial Administration Organisation and 45 municipal areas in the province. Suphan Buri and Song Phi Nong have town status. Further 43 subdistrict municipalities. The non-municipal areas are administered by 81 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO.
Route 340 passes through Suphan Buri, leading north to Chai Nat and south to Bang Bua Thong. Route 321 leads west and then south to Nakhon Pathom. Route 329 leads east to Bang Pahan. Route 3195 leads north-east to Ang Thong.
