Amphoe Takua Thung

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Takua Thung
thai=ตะกั่วทุ่ง
province=Phang Nga
coordinates=coord|8|23|32|N|98|27|7|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
area=610.8
population=40,392
population_as_of=2548
density=66.1
postal_code=82130
geocode=8204

Takua Thung ( _th. ตะกั่วทุ่ง) is a district ("Amphoe") in the province Phang Nga in the south of Thailand.

History

"Mueang" Takua Thung is an ancient city same as Phang Nga and Takua Pa. The old city hall was located in Ban Khai, Tambon Bang Thong, Amphoe Thai Mueang. In 1894 Burmese troops attacked Mueang Takua Pa. Thalang and Takua Thung were the next targets. Then people of Takua Thung moved the city center to Tambon Kra Som, where it is still located today.

Takua Thung was downgraded to be a district of Phang Nga in 1899.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Thai Mueang and Mueang Phangnga. To the southwest is the Phang Nga Bay, to the south is the district Thalang of Phuket Province, separated by the Pak Phra strait. To the west is the Andaman Sea.

Namtok Raman Forest Park protects 0.2 km² around a scenic waterfall. The park was established on October 26, 1983. Most of the coast to the Phang Nga bay is part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park.

The most important temple within the district is Wat Suwannakhuha , also commonly known as Wat Tham (lit. "cave temple") due to several caves within a hill inside the temple area. Especially the largest of these caves is decorated with many Buddha images as well as stalactites and stalagmites.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 7 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 68 villages ("muban"). There are two townships("thesaban tambon") within the district - Krasom and Khok Kloi - each covering parts of the same-named tambon. Each of the "tambon" is administrated by a Tambon administrative organization (TAO).

External links

* [http://www.phangnga.go.th/english/Takuathung.htm Tourist attractions in the district at the Phang Nga province website]