Amphoe Wang Thong

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Wang Thong
วังทอง
Statistics
Province:	Phitsanulok
District office:	Wang Thong 16°49′27″N, 100°25′43″E
Area:	1,687.05 km²
Inhabitants:	120,575 (2005)
Pop. density:	71.5 inh./km²
Geocode:	6508
Postal code:	65130
Map

Wang Thong (Thai: วังทอง) is a district (Amphoe) of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand.

1 History
2 Geography
- 2.1 Rivers
- 2.2 Swamps
3 Administration
4 Infrastructure
- 4.1 Significant Settlements
- 4.2 Radio
5 Attractions
6 Recent Flooding
7 References
8 External links

[edit] History

The district was established in 1895 in the name Nakhon Pa Mak district after the name of the central tambon, with the district office located at Ban Sam Ruen. As the old location was not convenient for transportation and was flooded every year, the government moved the district office to the eastern side of the Wang Thong River, where now is the Wang Thong Municipal Market.

In 1928 the government created Bang Krathum district, Tambon Phai Lom, Noen Kum and Nakhon Pa Mak were reassigned to the new district. At the same time, Tambon Kaeng Sopha and Ban Klang of Nakhon Thai district were reassigned to Wang Thong.

Later the east riverbank of Wang Thong River was scoured thus the district office was moved to the present area. The district name was changed to be Pa Mak in 1931 and finally Wang Thong in 1939.^[1]

[edit] Geography

Khek River in rainy season, Amphoe Wang Thong

Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) Sak Lek of Phichit Province, Bang Krathum, Mueang Phitsanulok, Wat Bot, Chat Trakan, Nakhon Thai of Phitsanulok Province, Khao Kho of Phetchabun Province and Noen Maprang of Phitsanulok Province again.

[edit] Rivers

Wang Thong lies within the Nan Basin, which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. The important water resource is Wang Thong River (Khek River). The Khwae Noi River and Tha Muen Ram River also flow through this district.

[edit] Swamps

The Bueng Rachanok Swamp is a popular tourist destination in the district.

[edit] Administration

The district is subdivided into 11 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 166 villages (muban). Wang Thong is township (thesaban tambon) which covers part of the same-named tambon. There are further 11 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No.	Name	Thai name	Villages	Inh.
1.	Wang Thong	วังทอง	15	18,186
2.	Phan Chali	พันชาลี	17	9,873
3.	Mae Raka	แม่ระกา	15	7,229
4.	Ban Klang	บ้านกลาง	27	20,302
5.	Wang Phikun	วังพิกุล	15	8,320
6.	Kaeng Sopha	แก่งโสภา	13	11,949
7.	Tha Muen Ram	ท่าหมื่นราม	14	8,236
8.	Wang Nok Aen	วังนกแอ่น	19	16,689
9.	Nong Phra	หนองพระ	12	7,342
10.	Chaiyanam	ชัยนาม	8	6,078
11.	Din Thong	ดินทอง	11	6,371

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Significant Settlements

The following settlements of the Wang Thong District are significant enough in size as to occupy multiple muban:

Town of Ban Wang Thong
Ban Gok Mai Daeng
Ban Din Thong
Ban Sadao
Ban Phan Chali
Ban Supraron Phanom Thong
Ban Nam Rin
Ban Mae Raka
Ban Kao Noi
Ban Kaeng Gula
Ban Kao Hom
Ban Dong Phluang

[edit] Radio

There is one radio station broadcast from Wang Thong, the Sathaanii Witthayu Ratthasaphaa (Parliament Radio Station). The frequency is 92.25 FM.^[2]

[edit] Attractions

[edit] Recent Flooding

Wang Thong was hit by severe flooding in 2007. By October 8, 2007, flooding in the Wang Thong District had killed at least three people, and the district was declared a disaster zone.^[3]