1941–1946 → Today part of Cambodia | Flag Coat of arms Capital Battambang (de facto) | |
 | ||
Phra Tabong Province (Thai: พระตะบอง) was a province of Thailand, from the late 18th century until it was ceded to French Indochina in 1907, and again between 1941-1946 after Thailand recaptured it during the Japanese occupation of Cambodia in World War II.
Contents
The area is now covered by Battambang Province and Pailin municipality of Cambodia.
Name
Phra Tabong (Thai: พระตะบอง) is the Thai version of the name Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung, the namesake of Battambang, who according to Khmer legend threw his staff from Angkor, landing in the area of modern Battambang.
History
Though Siam had invaded this area of Cambodia beginning in the 15th century, Siamese administration of the area was only formally organized in the late 18th century, at the beginning of the Bangkok period known as Inner Cambodia or Khamen Nai. Baen Abhaiwongse, originator of the Abhaiwongse family, was installed as governor, with the title Chao Phraya Abhayabhubet. His family governed Phra Tabong as the provincial capital for another five generations, until 1907. In that year Phra Tabong, along with Siemmarat and Sisophon, was ceded to French Indochina in exchange for Trat Province and Dan Sai, according to the Franco-Siam Treaty signed March 23, 1907.
In 1941, with the help of Japan, which was occupying Thailand at the time, Thailand recaptured the areas it had ceded to France in 1907. The area in Cambodia had since been subdivided, and was rejoined to Thailand on July 23, 1941 as three provinces: Phra Tabong Province (with new boundaries, corresponding to Cambodian Battambang Province) and Phibunsongkhram Province (corresponding to Cambodian Siem Reap Province.
Thailand was forced to cede the territory again in 1946, after the end of World War II, as a condition for Thailand's admission into the United Nations.
Administrative divisions
When it was rejoined to Thailand on July 23, 1941, Phra Tabong was divided into seven districts (amphoe):
Three of the former Cambodian districts were renamed to honor the military officers who led the three major divisions of the Thai armed forces in the French-Thai War:
On December 23, 1941, Si Sophon and Sinthu Songkhram Chai were reassigned to Phibunsongkhram Province.
On November 3, 1942, Mueang Phra Tabong was established as a town (thesaban mueang).
On September 17, 1943, due to its small size, Phromyothi District was downgraded to a minor district (king amphoe) and renamed Pak Phraek (Thai: ปากแพรก). At the same time, four subdistricts from Mongkhon Buri District were combined into a new Phromyothi District.