Khok Samrong District

Khok Samrong โคกสำโรง
Amphoe
Amphoe location in Lopburi Province
Coordinates: 15°4′11″N 100°43′26″E / 15.06972°N 100.72389°E / 15.06972; 100.72389Coordinates: 15°4′11″N 100°43′26″E / 15.06972°N 100.72389°E / 15.06972; 100.72389
Country	Thailand
Province	Lopburi
Area
• Total	982.5 km2 (379.3 sq mi)
Population (2000)
• Total	86,381
• Density	87.9/km2 (228/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code	15120
Geocode	1603

Khok Samrong (Thai: โคกสำโรง, pronounced [kʰôːk sǎm.rōːŋ]) is a district (amphoe) of Lopburi Province in central Thailand. The district is the transportation hub of the province.

History

Originally named Phu Kha, the minor district (king amphoe) was renamed Sa Bot in 1909. In 1915 it became a full district and renamed Khok Samrong, as the district office was relocated there.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Nong Muang, Sa Bot, Chai Badan, Phatthana Nikhom, Mueang Lopburi and Ban Mi.

Transport

Khok Samrong does not have a train station, however many coaches, buses and minivans pass through.

Misc

Kasetsart University Lopburi campus is in Tambon Phaniat, Khok Samrong District.

Wat Khao Wong Phra Chan is a nearby temple located at the highest mountain in Lopburi Province, just south of Khok Samrong. It is 5 km from the main road between Lopburi and Khok Samrong. The temple is at the foot of the mountain, which can be climbed via a tree-shaded staircase. At the bottom of the mountain is an interesting and unusual museum featuring a wide collection of religious amulets and ornaments, as well as photos, paintings and sculptures. The temple provides a complimentary vegetarian meal (donations recommended) for visitors.

Khok Samrong town has little in the way of tourist attractions, but is a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours. It has quite a few temples, a large and interesting market, along with an evening market on Thursdays by the coach station. Some of Lopburi's finest sunflower fields are on the outskirts of Khok Samrong, however private transport is needed to access them.

Administration

The district is divided into 13 sub-districts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 137 villages (muban). The township (thesaban tambon) Khok Samrong covers parts of the tambon Khok Samrong. There are a further 13 tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

Missing numbers are tambon which now form Nong Muang and Khok Charoen district.