Monthon

A monthon (Thai: มณฑล, from Sanskrit maṇḍala, literally "circle") was a country subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. The Thai word 'monthon' is a translation of the word Mandala. These were created as a part of the thesaphiban (เทศาภิบาล - literally translates to control over territory) bureaucratic administrative system, introduced by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. Together with the monthon also the still existing provinces (changwat), districts (amphoe) and communes (tambon) were established step by step nationwide. Each monthon was led by a royal commissioner also called thesaphiban. The system was officially adopted by the 1897 Local Administration Act, after some monthon were established before and the details of administration were tried out.