Thepha District

Thepha (Thai: เทพา) is a district (Amphoe) in the southeastern part of Songkhla Province, southern Thailand.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the east clockwise) Nong Chik, Khok Pho of Pattani Province, Saba Yoi, Na Thawi and Chana of Songkhla Province. To the north is the Gulf of Thailand.

Etymology

The name Thepha is actually the Thai corruption of Tiba, its original name means 'arrive' in Malay.

History

Thepa was at first a fourth-class Mueang and subordinate of Mueang Phatthalung. The governor had to present a golden and silver tree to the governor of Phatthalung to pay its tribute. In the reign of King Rama II the town was transferred to Songkhla and elevated to a third-class Mueang.

In 1901 as part of the thesaphiban administrative reforms the Mueang was reduced to a district of Songkhla. The district office was located in Ban Phra Phut (บ้านพระพุทธ), village 2 of Thepha subdistrict. When in 1932 the railway was built through the district, the office was moved to the more convenient location in ban Tha Phru (บ้านท่าพรุ), village 1 of Thepha subdistrict, close to the railway station then named Tha Muang (ท่าม่วง). Subsequently the station was renamed to Thepha.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 7 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 65 villages (muban). Thepha is a subdistrict municipality (thesaban tambon) which covers parts of tambon Thepha, Lam Phlai a subdistrict municipality covering the full tambon Lam Phlai. There are further 6 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

External links

• amphoe.com (Thai)