Amphoe Pak Tho

Infobox Amphoe
name=Pak Tho
thai=ปากท่อ
province=Ratchaburi
coordinates=coord|13|22|4|N|99|49|50|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
area=757.835
population=59,985
population_as_of=2005
density=79.2
postal_code=70140
geocode=7008

Pak Tho ( _th. ปากท่อ) is a district ("Amphoe") in the southern part of Ratchaburi Province, central Thailand.

The name "Pak Tho" means "mouth of a water pipe". It originates from the fact that the area named "Nong Thale" ("Sea Pond") is rather low and thus during raining season was usually flooded. At the only outlet of this area the water current was strong like a water pipe.

History

Around 1900, the government separated a part of Mueang Ratchaburi district and created a new district named Tha Nat Wat Pradu (ท่านัดวัดประดู่). The district office was located in front of "Wat" Pradu at the "Khlong" Wat Pradu in "Tambon" Chom Prathat, nowadays within the district Wat Phleng. "Tambon" Pak Tho was included into this district. As it was also near the Om River, the district was also known as Maenam Om (แม่น้ำอ้อม). Later the district office was found to be inconveniently located - during the dry season the water level in the canal was too low and there was no road connection - so in 1917 it was moved to a new location in "Tambon" Pak Tho, near a railway station.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the west clockwise) Ban Kha, Chom Bueng, Mueang Ratchaburi, Wat Phleng of Ratchaburi Province, Amphawa of Samut Songkhram Province, Khao Yoi and Nong Ya Plong of Phetchaburi Province.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 12 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 88 villages ("muban"). Pak Tho is a township ("thesaban tambon") which covers parts of the "tambon" Pak Tho. There are further 11 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

ources

* [http://61.7.152.203/cms_eng/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=11 Pak Tho district history]