patok

Patok is a term used in Malay and Indonesian languages to denote a stake or post that marks a boundary or reference point in land surveying and administration. In cadastral practice, patok markers are placed at key corners of parcels and along road rights-of-way or forest concessions, serving as fixed references connected to official maps and property records. Markers can be made of concrete, metal, or wood and are often accompanied by identifiers such as numbers or inscriptions to facilitate later verification and re-surveying. When boundaries are redefined or disputes arise, patok markers may be relocated or replaced and related records updated accordingly.

In addition to delineating property lines, the word patok can refer more generally to posts or poles that support structures, fences, or infrastructure, including utility or signaling posts encountered in daily life and development projects. The exact usage and meaning of patok can vary by country, region, and local surveying practices, reflecting historical methods of boundary measurement and land administration.

Patok also appears in place names and personal names in parts of Southeast Asia, where it may reflect historical marker points or settlements associated with boundary marking. While the core sense of the term is tied to physical markers, its broader cultural and administrative associations can differ across communities.