Wapi Pathum District

Wapi Pathum
วาปีปทุม
—  Amphoe  —
Amphoe location in Maha Sarakham Province
Coordinates:
Country  Thailand
Province Maha Sarakham
Seat Nong Saeng
Area
 • Total 605.77 km2 (233.9 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 • Total 114,020
 • Density 188.1/km2 (487.2/sq mi)
Time zone THA (UTC+7)
Postal code 44160
Geocode 4409

Wapi Pathum (Thai: วาปีปทุม) is a district (Amphoe) of Maha Sarakham Province, northeastern Thailand.

Contents

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) Na Dun, Na Chueak, Borabue, Mueang Maha Sarakham and Kae Dam of Maha Sarakham Province, Si Somdet, Chaturaphak Phiman, Kaset Wisai and Pathum Rat of Roi Et Province.

History

The district goes back to the Mueang Wapi Pathum, which was converted into a district around 1900.

Temples

Wat Klang

It is located near Phraya Chaisunthon Monument. Wat Klang is a third-class royal temple. Within the temple’s compound, there is an Ubosot building, which was an extension from the old building. The Thai-style Ubosot is decorated with ‘Chofa’ (gable finial) and ‘Bai Raka’ (crockets). The wooden doors are carved telling the life of the Lord Buddha; while the windows tell the Jataka stories.

There are stucco door guardians in the front and at the back. The Ubosot houses murals depicting the story of the Vessantara Jataka. Inside a pavilion or Sala near the Ubosot building is a black Buddha image, made from bronze with a lap of 20-inches wide. It is a beautiful Buddha image.

The pedestal of the image bears an inscription in ancient Thai language stating that the image was built during the period of King Khu Na Kham. Phraya Chaisunthon took it to be the provincial image, which became highly revered by the local people. In any drought season, the local people would take the Buddha image in a procession to beg for rain.

Apart from the black Buddha image, Wat Klang also has a Buddha footprint, which is 20 inches wide and 80 inches long, made from laterite. It is believed to have been built during the Lawa period. Formerly, it was located on the bank of Lam Pao – the Pao River, near Kaeng Samrong. Later on, the bank of the river gradually collapsed, so the local people decided to relocate it to this temple.

Festivals and events

On Son Klong Yao Festival

The annual festival is held during March 12-16 at the field by Amphoe Wapi Pathum Office. The fair features long drum contest, float of long drum, Isan traditional performances, beauty contest, performances and shopping.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 15 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 240 villages (muban). Nong Saeng is a subdistrict municipaity (thesaban tambon) which covers parts of the tambon Nong Saeng. There are further 15 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No. Name Thai Villages Inh.[1]
01. Nong Saeng หนองแสง 28 21,063
02. Kham Pom ขามป้อม 16 06,589
03. Suea Kok เสือโก้ก 19 10,319
04. Dong Yai ดงใหญ่ 16 05,013
05. Pho Chai โพธิ์ชัย 12 04,500
06. Hua Ruea หัวเรือ 21 10,486
07. Khaen แคน 17 06,727
08. Ngua Ba งัวบา 19 08,069
09. Na Kha นาข่า 16 08,823
10. Ban Wai บ้านหวาย 17 07,410
11. Nong Hai หนองไฮ 17 07,855
12. Pracha Phatthana ประชาพัฒนา 11 04,487
13. Nong Thum หนองทุ่ม 10 03,987
14. Nong Saen หนองแสน 10 04,319
15. Khok Si Thonglang โคกสีทองหลาง 11 04,373

References

  1. ^ "Population statistics 2008". Department of Provincial Administration. http://www.dopa.go.th/xstat/p5144_01.html. 

External links