| Ban Dung บ้านดุง |
|
|---|---|
| — Amphoe — | |
| Shrine in Sri Sut Tho | |
| Amphoe location in Udon Thani Province | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Thailand |
| Province | Udon Thani |
| Tambon | 13 |
| Muban | 140 |
| Amphoe established | 1959 |
| Government | |
| • District head officer | Manit Phianthong (มานิต เพียรทอง) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 923.768 km2 (356.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 123,227 |
| • Density | 133.2/km2 (345/sq mi) |
| Time zone | THA (UTC+7) |
| Postal code | 41190 |
| Geocode | 4111 |
Ban Dung (Thai: บ้านดุง) is a district (Amphoe) in the northeastern part of Udon Thani Province, northeastern Thailand.
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Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) Thung Fon, Phibun Rak, Phen and Sang Khom of Udon Thani Province, Phon Phisai and Fao Rai of Nong Khai Province, and Ban Muang, Charoen Sin and Sawang Daen Din of Sakon Nakhon Province.
To the North of Ban Dung Is a large expanse of Marsh and open water called Nong Pla Tao.
The major river is the Songkhram, which marks the boundary of the district to the east.
Rainfall is unpredictable, but is concentrated in the rainy season from May to October. The rainy season begins with occasional short but heavy showers, eventually raining very heavily for longer periods almost every day, usually in the late afternoon or at night, until it ends abruptly at the onset of the cool season.
The other seasons are the cool season from October to February, when the people sit outside around fires in the evenings, and the hot season from February to May with its sudden peak of high temperatures in April.
The minor district (King Amphoe) Ban Dung was established on May 16 1959, when three subdistricts were split off from Nong Han district.[1] It was upgraded to a full district on July 16 1963.[2]
The district is subdivided into 13 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 140 villages (muban). Ban Dung is a town (thesaban mueang) which covers parts of the subdistrict Ban Dung and the whole subdistrict Si Suttho. The town is subdivided into 34 communities (chumchon). There are further 12 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).[3]
| No. | Name | Thai | Villages | Inh.[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Si Suttho | ศรีสุทโธ | 12 | 14,708 |
| 2. | Ban Dung | บ้านดุง | 18 | 13,414 |
| 3. | Dong Yen | ดงเย็น | 8 | 6,558 |
| 4. | Phon Sung | โพนสูง | 17 | 10,937 |
| 5. | Om Ko | อ้อมกอ | 10 | 8,424 |
| 6. | Ban Chan | บ้านจันทน์ | 18 | 14,159 |
| 7. | Ban Chai | บ้านชัย | 9 | 8,426 |
| 8. | Na Mai | นาไหม | 13 | 10,066 |
| 9. | Thon Na Lap | ถ่อนนาลับ | 8 | 5,208 |
| 10. | Wang Thong | วังทอง | 9 | 6,212 |
| 11. | Ban Muang | บ้านม่วง | 14 | 8,494 |
| 12. | Ban Tat | บ้านตาด | 10 | 6,930 |
| 13. | Na Kham | นาคำ | 13 | 9,691 |
The culture has much in common with that of the neighboring country of Laos. This affinity is shown in the cuisine, dress and temple architecture.
The food is distinct from Thai and Lao cuisines, but has elements in common with each. The most obvious characteristics are the use of sticky rice that accompanies almost every meal rather than plain rice, as well as fiery chiles. Popular dishes include papaya salad and grilled chicken.
As in the rest of Thailand, the population is almost exclusively Theravada Buddhist, although this is combined with elements of animism and in rural areas there are pockets of Christianity. Overall within the district 91.13 per cent are Buddhist with Catholics representing 8.87 per cent. There are Christian churches in the Villages of Phon Sung where the majority of the population is catholic , Si Wattana and Si Sut Tho.
In common with may other districts Ban Dung has its own local Radio Station which broadcasts on FM 103MHz. All the broadcasts are in Thai.
The average income per year in Ban Dung was 50,173 baht per person per year in 2009 with the majority of people being farmers . The major crop grown is rice with 271,213 rai being cultivated by 13,708 people out of a total farming area of 322,991 rai . There was also 20,462 rai of rubber under cultivation. Other crops included maize, cassava, eucalyptus, sugar cane and various fruit and vegetables. Other farming activities included the rearing of Buffalo, Cattle, Pigs and chickens with a small number of people raising fish in lakes or ponds.
Water buffalo are a regular feature being walked to and from the fields at dawn and dusk. Although rarely used nowadays for working the land, they are considered an important status symbol.
The salt making area around Ban Dung has produced salts for industrial purposes for more than 25 years . The production method used as in many other places in N.E. Thailand is called solution mining. The mining is done by local co-operative groups.
Refined salt for domestic use is made by evaporating salt water in large open vats using ovens with Rice Husks used as the fuel source . This method produces very clean, fine grained salt in which the Impurities are removed during cooking. Traditionally, the stove used in salt making was wood-fueled. Latterly wood has became more expensive prompting a shift to rice hull stoves. The abundance of rice hulls has made it economically feasible to reprocess the salt and is a renewable source of fuel.
Approximately 10k from Ban dung Wat Kham Chanot is said to be an entrance to the water world, a legendary place where the Naga, a mythical large snake often suggested to have seven heads is supposed to live . Covering an area of over 20 rai of land it is nothing but an islet surrounded by water teeming with dense palm trees called Chanot.
The Voice of America headquarters for South East Asia is situated 2 miles out of Ban Dung on highway 2022. Many 500 kW shortwave transmitters are installed here. Call sign: Udon Thani
The town is situated adjacent to the intersection of highway 2022 with highway 2096.
Essential local services are provided by songthew truck and pickup truck buses, while regional and long distance destinations are served by regular buses from Udon Thani.
There are two main public buses both start at the central bus station in Udon Thani. One bus route goes via Highway 22 and then turns left at Nong Mek along highway 2096 to Bandung. The other Bus route goes via Highway two before turning right at Ban Na Kha along highway 2256 to the Sum Sao intersection and then along highway 2022 to Ban Dung. Both run at run at regular intervals.
Long distance 'VIP' First Class buses operate from opposite the Police Station and run nightly to Bangkok.
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