Wang Thong District

Wang Thong
วังทอง
—  Amphoe  —
Amphoe location in Phitsanulok Province
Coordinates:
Country  Thailand
Province Phitsanulok
Seat Wang Thong
Amphoe established
Area
 • Total 1,687.05 km2 (651.4 sq mi)
Population (2009)
 • Total 119,103
 • Density 71.5/km2 (185.2/sq mi)
Time zone THA (UTC+7)
Postal code 65130
Geocode 6508

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

Contents

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.[1] 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.[2]

Geography

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.

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.

Swamps

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

Administration

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

No. Name Thai Villages Inh.[3]
01. Wang Thong วังทอง 15 19,808
02. Phan Chali พันชาลี 17 09,592
03. Mae Raka แม่ระกา 15 07,156
04. Ban Klang บ้านกลาง 27 19,733
05. Wang Phikun วังพิกุล 15 08,259
06. Kaeng Sopha แก่งโสภา 13 10,912
07. Tha Muen Ram ท่าหมื่นราม 14 08,071
08. Wang Nok Aen วังนกแอ่น 20 16,119
09. Nong Phra หนองพระ 12 06,994
10. Chaiyanam ชัยนาม 09 06,088
11. Din Thong ดินทอง 11 06,371

Infrastructure

Significant Settlements

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

Radio

Attractions

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.[5]

References

  1. ^ "แจ้งความกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง ตั้งกิ่งอำเภอบางกระทุ่ม จังหวัดพิษณุโลก" (in Thai). Royal Gazette 44 (0 ง): 1231. 1927-07-17. http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2470/D/1231.PDF. 
  2. ^ "พระราชกฤษฎีกาเปลี่ยนนามอำเภอ กิ่งอำเภอ และตำบลบางแห่ง พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๒" (in Thai). Royal Gazette 56 (0 ก): 354–364. April 17 1939. http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2482/A/354.PDF. 
  3. ^ "Population statistics 2009". Department of Provincial Administration. http://www.dopa.go.th/xstat/p5265_01.html. 
  4. ^ Radio Stations in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand
  5. ^ Three dead in Phitsanulok floods

External links