Provinces of Thailand (split from Udon Thani), and Amnat Charoen (split from Ubon Ratchathani). The newest province is Bueng Kan, which was split off from Nong Khai effective 23 March 2011. Provinces of Thailand The Provinces of Thailand are part of the government of Thailand that is divided into 76 provinces (, , ) proper and two special administrative areas (), one representing the capital Bangkok and another the city of Pattaya.. They are the primary local government units and are divided into amphoes (districts) and also act as juristic persons. Each province is led by a governor (ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด "phu wa ratchakan changwat"),
Northern Thailand upper-central-region provinces: Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani and Tak, bringing the total to 17 provinces. According to the six-region classification system established by the National Research Council of Thailand, the northern region includes the following provinces: Note: Populations as of 31 December 2011. Northern Thailand Northern Thailand is geographically characterised by several mountain ranges, which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar to Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them. Though like most of Thailand, it has a tropical savanna climate, its relatively high elevation and latitude contribute to more pronounced seasonal