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Satun is a province in the South of
Thailand that borders Malaysia. Situated on the west coast in the
vicinity of the Straits of Malacca in the Indian Ocean.
Satun is about 973 kilometers from Bangkok. Its total area of 2,478.98
square kilometers also encompasses 105 islands. The mainland's shoreline
extends 144.80 kilometers in length.
 Prior to A.D. 1813, Satun was a
district of Kedah, known as Mukim Setul, meaning "the district of santol
tree" Historical , Satun had a strong link with Kedah until A.D. 1909,
under the Anglo-Siamese Agreement, when the Siamese government then
agreed to relinquish the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Tregganu, and Perlis
to Britain in exchange for the British's renunciation of its
Extra-territorial Rights in Siam (former of Thailand). The consequence
of the Anglo-Siamese Agreement shifted the status of Satun from being
part of Kedah to that of Phuket and later in 1925 was under the
jurisdiction of Nakhon Si Thammarat. When dichromatic reform was be one
of the provinces in the South. Satun consists of six administrative
districts (Amphoe) and one sub district (King Amphoe): Amphoe Muang
Satun, La-ngu, Thun Wa, Khuan Kalong, Khuan Don, Tha Phae; and King
Amphoe Manang. The unique bi-cultural characteristics of the people in
Satun reflect social harmony anong the people of two faiths: Buddhists
and Muslims. In addition, Satun also hosts the cultures of an indigenous
group called Chao Le (Orak Lawoi, Orang Laut or Sea Gypsies) or an
official label of Thai Mai (recently naturalized Thai) whose settlements
can be found on Lipeh Islands, Tambon Koh Sarai, Amphoe Muang Satun; and
on Bulone Island. These people observe distinctively different cultures
and traditions from those of the local people. |
