Nam Phong District

Nam Phong
น้ำพอง
Amphoe

Amphoe location in Khon Kaen Province
Coordinates: 16°42′7″N 102°51′24″E / 16.70194°N 102.85667°E / 16.70194; 102.85667Coordinates: 16°42′7″N 102°51′24″E / 16.70194°N 102.85667°E / 16.70194; 102.85667
Country Thailand
Province Khon Kaen
Seat Wang Chai
Area
 • Total 828.7 km2 (320.0 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 • Total 112,414
 • Density 136.8/km2 (354/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code 40140
Geocode 4007

Nam Phong (Thai: น้ำพอง, pronounced [náːm pʰɔ̄ːŋ]) is a district (amphoe) of Khon Kaen Province.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Non Sa-at of Udon Thani Province, Kranuan, Sam Sung, Mueang Khon Kaen, Ubolratana and Khao Suan Kwang.

The district is on Mittraphap Road (Thailand Route 2) and the northeastern railway. The district office and the train station are about 7 km east of the main settlement, Ban Nam Phong.

Despite its name, Nam Phong National Park does not occupy any of Nam Phong District, but is southeast of the district. Both are named after the Nam Phong River, which originates in the national park, and after the Ubol Ratana Dam flows through the district towards the Chi River.

Economy

The district is mostly agricultural, its main activities being rice and sugar cane growing and animal husbandry. The two major factories are a sugar factory and a distillery for lao kao (white spirit).

An oil survey in 1979 found a natural gas reserve of an estimated 1.5 trillion cubic feet (42 km3). Since 1989 the gas field has been exploited for the Nam Phong power plant operated by EGAT. With a capacity of 710 MW, it is the main source of electricity for northeast Thailand.[1]

History

The district was created on 10 February 1908, at first named Tha Wa (ท่าหว้า). In 1909 it was renamed Nam Phong.[2]

From 1972 to 1973 the Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong was a US military facility used in the Vietnam War.

Attractions

Phrathat Kham Kaen is an ancient Buddhist monument. The stupa, located within Wat Chetiyaphum, is believed to mark the original site of Khon Kaen. According to local legend, relics of Buddha were to be brought to Nakhon Phanom. The monks camped at a dead tamarind tree. When they arrived in Nakhon Phanom the Phrathat Phanom was already finished, thus they planned to return the relics. On the return way they found the dead tree flourishing again, and built the stupa at the site of the miracle.[3]

Ban Khok Sa-nga is famous as the King Cobra Village. In 1951 a local doctor started to conduct cobra shows to attract clients to the village. Now the cobra shows are the main income of the villagers, who also travel around to perform the show and sell herbal medicine.[4]

Administration

The district is divided into 12 sub-districts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 167 villages (muban). There are two sub-district municipalities (thesaban tambon): Nam Phong covering parts of tambon Nam Phong, and Wang Chai covering parts of tambon Wang Chai and Nong Kung. Each of the tambon is administered by a Tambon administrative organization (TAO).

No. Name Thai Villages Pop.[5]
1.Nam Phongน้ำพอง1714,081
2.Wang Chaiวังชัย1610,494
3.Nong Kungหนองกุง109,915
4.Bua Yaiบัวใหญ่177,797
5.Sa-atสะอาด149,657
6.Muang Wanม่วงหวาน149,385
7.Ban Khamบ้านขาม169,281
8.Bua Ngoenบัวเงิน1712,095
9.Sai Munทรายมูล137,333
10.Tha Krasoemท่ากระเสริม107,500
11.Phang Thuiพังทุย137,137
12.Kut Nam Saiกุดน้ำใส107,739

References

  1. ↑ "Nam Phong Power Plant". Electrical Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  2. ↑ Amphoe information at the Ramkamhaeng University, Khon Kaen campus
  3. ↑ "Phrathat Kham Kaen". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "Ban Khok Sanga-King Cobras Village". Bangkok Post. n.d. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  5. ↑ "Population statistics 2008". Department of Provincial Administration.
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