Amphoe Pak Chong

Infobox Amphoe
thai=ปากช่อง
name=Pak Chong
province=Nakhon Ratchasima
coordinates=coord|14|24|42|N|101|25|18|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
capital=Pak Chong
area=1,825.2
population=182,588
population_as_of=2007
density=100.0
postal_code=30130, 30320
geocode=3021

Pak Chong ( _th. ปากช่อง) is the westernmost district ("Amphoe") of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.

History

In the past this area was a part of Tambon Khanong Phra, Chan Thuek district (which is now Sikhio district).

In 1949 Ban Pak Chong was upgraded to be Tambon Pak Chong. It was upgraded to a minor district ("King Amphoe") effective January 1 1957, consisting of the four subdistricts Pak Chong, Chanthuek, Klong Dan and Mu Si. [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=74|issue=8 ง|pages=224–225|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง ยกฐานะตำบลขึ้นเป็นกิ่งอำเภอ|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2500/D/008/224.PDF|date=1957-01-22|language=Thai] It was finally upgraded to a full district in July 1958. [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=75|issue=55 ก|pages=321|title=พระราชกฤษฎีกาจัดตั้งอำเภอกระสัง อำเภอกระนวน อำเภอบางกอกใหญ่ อำเภอขุนหาร อำเภอพนา อำเภอปากช่อง อำเภอวังเหนือ อำเภอวังชิ้น อำเภอแม่ทา อำเภอหนองหมู อำเภอสระแก้ว อำเภออมก๋อย อำเภอบางซ้าย อำเภอทับสะแก อำเภอบุณฑริก อำเภอลานสะกา อำเภอจอมบึง อำเภอท่ายาง อำเภอสามเงา อำเภอฟากท่า อำเภอบ้านเขว้า อำเภอชานุมาน อำเภอแม่พริก อำเภอท่าสองยาง อำเภอสะเมิง อำเภอหนองแขม อำเภอพระแสง พ.ศ. ๒๕๐๑|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2501/A/055/321.PDF|date=July 22 1958|language=Thai]

Etymology

In the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) during the construction of the northeastern railway through the area, the Nok Yung and Noi mountains were blasted through to make a channel ("Chong" in Thai) for the railway. Then the people named the village Pak Chong, meaning "mouth of the channel".

Geography

Pak Chong is the biggest district of Nakhon Ratchasima by area. Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Sikhio, Wang Nam Khiao of Nakhon Ratchasima, Mueang Nakhon Nayok of Nakhon Nayok Province, Prachantakham of Prachinburi Province, and Muak Lek of Saraburi Province.

The district is the gateway to the Northeast (Isan) of Thailand from the central region, as the main pass through Phetchabun mountain range is located within the district. The southern parts of the district are part of Thailand's first and largest national park, Khao Yai. Within the park is the origin of the Takhong River, a tributary of the Mun River. The Takhong is the main water resource of Nakhon Ratchasima city.

Traffic

Both the Mittraphap Highway as well as the northeastern railway cross the district.

The long-distance trains from Bangkok to Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani stop at Pak Chong railway station, [cite web|url=http://www.railway.co.th/English/Time_HTML.asp|publisher=State Railway of Thailand|title=Train time table] as well as the local trains connecting Saraburi with Nakhon Ratchasima.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 12 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 169 villages ("muban"). Pak Chong is a town ("thesaban mueang") which covers parts of the "tambon" Pak Chong and Nong Sarai. There are further four subdistrict municipalities ("thesaban tambon") - Klank Dong covers parts of the "tambon" Klang Dong and Phaya Yen, Mu Si the whole "tambon" Mu Si, Sima Mongkhon further parts of Klong Dong and Wang Sai the whole "tambon" Wang Sai. The remaining nine subdistrict are each administrated by a Tambon administrative organization (TAO).

References

External links

* [http://www.amphoe.com/menu.php?mid=1&am=234&pv=20 amphoe.com]