Amphoe Bang Rakam

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Bang Rakam
thai=บางระกำ
province=Phitsanulok
coordinates=coord|16|45|30|N|100|7|5|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
capital=Bang Rakam
area=936.040
population=94,854
population_as_of=2005
density=101.3
postal_code=65140
geocode=6504

Bang Rakam ( _th. บางระกำ) is a district ("Amphoe") in the western part of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand.

History

The district was established on December 10th, 1905, then named Chum Saeng (ชุมแสง) district. "Khun" Phadet Prachadun was the first district head officer. Later King Rama VI ordered the district name the be changed to be the same as the central tambon, thus the district name was changed to Bang Rakam on April 24th, 1917.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Phrom Phiram, Mueang Phitsanulok, Bang Krathum of Phitsanulok Province, Sam Ngam, Wachirabarami of Phichit Province, Lan Krabue of Kamphaeng Phet Province, Khiri Mat and Kong Krailat of Sukhothai Province.

The district's chief water resources are the Yom River, and the secondary Khlong Bang Kaeo and Khlong Grung Grak. For all practical purposes, Bang Rakam lies within the Yom Basin, although the district's eastern border with Amphoe Mueang Phitsanulok is essentially the booundary between the Yom Basin and the Nan Basin as well. The distinction between the basins is blurry in this region, as the terrain is flat, and residents have diverted much of the water flow for agriculture over the years. Both basins are part of the Chao Phraya Watershed.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 11 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 135 villages ("muban"). Bang Rakam and Plak Raet are townships ("thesaban tambon"), covering parts of the same-named "tambon". There are further 11 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

ignificant Settlements

Of the numerous villages that comprise Bang Rakam District, those significant in size as to occupy multiple muban are as follows:
*Ban Rai
*Ban Plak Raet
*Ban Phan Sao
*Ban Khlong Grap Phuang

Flooding

During the rainy season of 2006, 24,400 Bang Rakam residents were affected by flooding, including 1,122 residents who contracted conjunctivitis. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/28/national/national_30014828.php The Nation-Wet Season Woes] ] In late September, 2006, Princess Siribha Chudhabhorn sent trucks of food from the Princess Pa Foundation to assist 11 of the district's villages. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/28/national/national_30014828.php The Nation-Wet Season Woes] ] In 2006, there were also reported cases of leptospirosis among residents of Bang Rakam, contracted due to the amount of standing water. [http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82884 Leptospirosis kills 31 in past eight months] ]

Geology

The Thung Yai oil field is located in Bang Rakam. [http://www.dmf.go.th/bid19/annaul/07.asp Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health Impacts] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.amphoe.com/menu.php?am=417&pv=36 amphoe.com] (Thai)