Amphoe Krok Phra

Infobox Amphoe
thai=โกรกพระ
name=Krok Phra
province=Nakhon Sawan
coordinates=coord|15|33|24|N|100|4|24|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
area= 297.194
population=36,463
population_as_of=2005
density=122.7
capital=
location=
postal_code=60170
geocode=6002

Krok Phra ( _th. โกรกพระ) is a district ("Amphoe") in Nakhon Sawan Province, northern Thailand.

History

Originally, the district was named Noen Sala. However, as the old location was not convenient for transportation, the district office was moved to the west bank of the Chao Phraya river at Ban Krok Phra in 1899. The name of the district was then changed accordingly.

At first, the area was called Ban Krok which means village at a steep cliff. According to the local lore, once an old rich couple from Ayutthaya wanted to move a big Buddha's image from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya on the Chao Phraya river. When it passed Ban Krok, the log broke and the Buddha image sunk into the river and could not get recovered. So the people in the district then called their village Ban Krok Phra, adding the word "Phra" meaning "venerable" to commemorate the event.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Mueang Nakhon Sawan and Phayuha Khiri of Nakhon Sawan Province, and Mueang Uthai Thani, Thap Than and Sawang Arom of Uthai Thani Province.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 9 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 63 villages ("muban"). There are two townships ("thesaban tambon") - Krok Phra covering parts of the "tambon" Krok Phra, and Bang Pra Mung covering the whole "tambon" Bang Pra Mung. There are further 8 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).