Amphoe Phop Phra

Infobox Amphoe
name=Phop Phra
thai=พบพระ
province=Tak
coordinates=coord|16|23|10|N|98|41|25|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
capital=Phop Phra
area=1,006.542
population=63,336
population_as_of=2005
density=62.9
postal_code=63160
geocode=6307

Phop Phra ( _th. พบพระ) is a district ("Amphoe") in the southwestern part of Tak Province, northern Thailand.

History

The whole area of Phop Phra was originally Tambon Chong Khaep of Mae Sot district. Due to the large size of Mae Sot and problems with communism insurgents, the government create a separate administration of the area. Effective April 1 1977 the three "tambon" Phop Phra, Chong Khaep and Khiri Rat formed the new minor district ("King Amphoe"). [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=94|issue=26 ง|pages=1315|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง แบ่งท้องที่อำเภอแม่สอด จังหวัดตาก ตั้งเป็นกิ่งอำเภอพบพระ|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2520/D/026/1315.PDF|date=March 26 1977|language=Thai] It was official upgraded to a full district on March 3rd, 1987. [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=104|issue=156 ก special |pages=26–28|title=พระราชกฤษฎีกาจัดตั้งอำเภอพญาเม็งราย อำเภอพบพระ อำเภอทับคล้อ อำเภอบ้านโคก และอำเภอโพธิ์ไทร พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๐|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2530/A/156/26.PDF|date=August 12 1987|language=Thai]

Etymology

The name Phop Phra means "Lord Buddha image discovery". Originally the area was named Pho Pha (เพอะพะ), which in Karen language that means swamp area, so the name was changed to have a better meaning.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Mae Sot, Mueang Tak, Wang Chao of Tak Province, Ban Rai of Uthai Thani Province, Umphang of Tak Province again and Kayin State of Myanmar.

The Namtok Pha Charoen National Park is located in the district. The park is known for its Pha Charoen waterfall with 97 small levels.

The important river of Phop Pra is the Moei River.

Miscellaneous

Along Mae Sot-Umphang Highway is a refugee center Ban Um Piam (บ้านอุ้มเปี่ยม). It houses Karen fleed from Myanmar. They were relocated from the camp in Mae Sot close to Thai-Myanmar border which risked being attacked by guerrillas Democratic Karen Buddhist Army from Myanmar. [ [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDQ/is_1999_August_30/ai_55759603 Thailand relocates 100,000 Myanmar refugees | Asian Political News | Find Articles at BNET.com ] ]

Administration

The district is subdivided into 5 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 52 villages ("muban"). Phop Phra is a township ("thesaban tambon"), which covers parts of the "tambon" Phop Phra.

References

External links

* [http://www.amphoe.com/menu.php?mid=1&am=191&pv=16 amphoe.com]
* [http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=185&lg=2 Namtok Pha Charoen National Park]