Amphoe Phran Kratai

Infobox Amphoe
name=Phran Kratai
thai=พรานกระต่าย
province=Kamphaeng Phet
coordinates=coord|16|39|54|N|99|35|18|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
area=781.9
population=68,529
population_as_of=2005
density=87.6
postal_code=62110
geocode=6206

Phran Kratai ( _th. พรานกระต่าย) is the northernmost district ("Amphoe") of Kamphaeng Phet Province, northern Thailand.

History

The name of the district translates to "Rabbit Hunter" and refers to a local legend. A hunter ("Phran") surveyed southward to seek a strategic location to build a frontier city for Sukhothai Kingdom. When he spend the night in the area of the district, he found a golden haired rabbit ("Kratai") in front of a cave, which however quickly disappeared. The hunter reported his discovery to the King of Sukhothai and volunteered to catch the rabbit. He set a permanent village in front of the cave, but cannot catch the rabbit. Later more and more people moved to stay in the village. They called their village Ban Phran Kratai to commemorate to the hunter.

Phran Kratai district was created as a district in 1895.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the southeast clockwise) Lan Krabue, Sai Ngam, Mueang Kamphaeng Phet, Kosamphi Nakhon of Kamphaeng Phet Province, Mueang Tak of Tak Province, Ban Dan Lan Hoi and Khiri Mat of Sukhothai Province.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 10 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 116 villages ("muban"). Phran Kratai is a township ("thesaban tambon") which covers parts of "tambon" Phran Kratai and Tham Kratai Thong. There are further 10 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).