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Department of Na
Department of Na in Ayutthaya Period, was responsible
for agricultural activities (since established in 1350).
It was a part of Ayutthaya's unique administration system
called "Chatusadom". The system consisted
of four departments - Maung, Wang, Khlang and Na.
In Chatusadom system, a department functioned as a
ministry. As a result, several announcements and royal
decrees in the past sometimes called the Department
of Na as the Department of Kasettrathikarn, the Ministry
of Na or the Ministry of Kasettrathikarn. The person
in charge of the Department is called Khun Kasettrathibodhi.
The titles of the authority in Chattusadom system were
changed several times. For example, in the reign of
King Barommatrailokkanat (1448 - 1488), the chief officer
who administrated the Department of Na was called Phra
Kasettrathibodhi and then changed to Chao Phraya Polthep
Senabodhisrichai Nopparatkasettrathibodhi Aphaiphiriyaborakromphadhu
in the reign of King Prasatthong. The name lasted until
Ratanakhosin Period.
In Ratanakhosin Period, the King Rama 4th renamed the
title to Chao Phraya Polthep Suppapolsepsenabodhi Sriphichaiyarajmahaisawan
Anaekanantathanyahanphichanpatipat Nopparatmoorathathon
Mahidsarasamuhachet Kasettrathipbodhi Aphaiphiriyaborakrombhahu.
The written evident of Department of Na's responsibilities
was first found as in the absolute law of King U-thong
of Ayutthaya's reign. The department was responsible
for protecting and preventing the conflicts over rice,
crops and livestock. This marks a very important development
in Thai agriculture.
The role of the Department of Na became more intense
as it was stated in The Ministry Act during reign of
King Phrasatthong. It covered the management of land
reformation, irrigation and livestock, collecting broken
rice grain for the royal granary, management of the
king's land donation, solving conflicts over land ownership,
and appointment of officers to stay in provincial towns.
In addition, the act also specified nine seals for use
in different functions for Chao Phraya Poltep position.
Until the reign of King Rama V of Ratanakhosin, the
responsibilities of the department of Na covered land-survey
officer appointment, collecting farming taxes, solving
the conflicts over land ownership, purchasing and distributing
rice for royal granary.
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