Amphoe Phra Thong Kham

Infobox Amphoe
name=Phra Thong Kham
thai=พระทองคำ
province=Nakhon Ratchasima
coordinates=coord|15|18|24|N|101|58|54|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
area=359.5
population=44,232
population_as_of=2000
density=123.0
postal_code=30220
geocode=3028

Phra Thong Kham ( _th. พระทองคำ) is a district ("Amphoe") in the northern part of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.

History

Tambon Sa Phra, Thap Rang, Phang Thiam, Nong Hoi and Map Krat were separared from Non Thai district to create the Phra Thong Kham minor district on July 15th, 1996. [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=113|issue=Special 18 ง|pages=16|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง แบ่งเขตท้องที่อำเภอโนนไทย จังหวัดนครราชสีมา ตั้งเป็นกิ่งอำเภอพระทองคำ|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2539/E/018/16.PDF|date=June 26 1996|language=Thai]

Following a decision of the Thai government on May 15 2007, all of the 81 minor districts were to be upgraded to full districts. [cite news|url=http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000055625|publisher=Manager Online|title=แถลงผลการประชุม ครม. ประจำวันที่ 15 พ.ค. 2550|language=Thai] With the publishing in the Royal Gazette on August 24 the upgrade became official. [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=124|issue=46 ก|pages=14–21|title=พระราชกฤษฎีกาตั้งอำเภอฆ้องชัย...และอำเภอเหล่าเสือโก้ก พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๐|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2550/A/046/14.PDF|date=August 24 2007|language=Thai]

Etymology

Phra Thong Kham in Thai language means "Golden Lord Buddha image". The name Phra Thong Kham has two origins
#The center of the minor district was located in Ban Pa Kham, Tambon Sa Phra. The people selected the last words from the location name and add Thong as a middle word for good meaning.
#Phraya Palat Thong Kham was the husband of Thao Suranaree, the heroine of Nakhon Ratchasima.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Chatturat and Noen Sa-nga of Chaiyaphum Province, Khong, Kham Sakaesaeng, Non Thai and Dan Khun Thot of Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 5 subdistricts ("tambon"). The township ("thesaban tambon") Phra Thong Kham covers parts of the "tambon" Sa Phra.

References

External links

* [http://www.amphoe.com/menu.php?mid=1&am=867&pv=20 amphoe.com]