Wang Thong District

Wang Thong วังทอง
Amphoe
Amphoe location in Phitsanulok Province
Coordinates: 16°49′27″N 100°25′43″E / 16.82417°N 100.42861°E / 16.82417; 100.42861Coordinates: 16°49′27″N 100°25′43″E / 16.82417°N 100.42861°E / 16.82417; 100.42861
Country	Thailand
Province	Phitsanulok
Seat	Wang Thong
Area
• Total	1,687.05 km2 (651.37 sq mi)
Population (2009)
• Total	119,103
• Density	71.5/km2 (185/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.

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

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.

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).

Infrastructure

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

Radio

• There is one radio station broadcast from Wang Thong, the Sathaanii Witthayu Ratthasaphaa (Parliament Radio Station). The frequency is 92.25 FM.^[4]

Attractions

• Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
• Kaeng Chet Khwae National Park
• Sakunothayan Arboretum
• Kaeng Song Waterfall
• Kaeng Sopha Waterfall
• Brotherly Villages Boat Race
• Bueng Rachanok Swamp

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 (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai) 44 (0 ง): 1231. 1927-07-17. 
2. ↑ พระราชกฤษฎีกาเปลี่ยนนามอำเภอ กิ่งอำเภอ และตำบลบางแห่ง พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๒ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai) 56 (0 ก): 354–364. April 17, 1939. 
3. ↑ "Population statistics 2009". Department of Provincial Administration. 
4. ↑ Radio Stations in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand
5. ↑ Three dead in Phitsanulok floods

External links

• amphoe.com (Thai)
• Kaeng Chet Khwae National Park