Phanom Thuan district
District in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phanom Thuan (Thai: พนมทวน, pronounced [pʰā.nōm tʰūa̯n]) is a district (amphoe) in the eastern part of Kanchanaburi province, western central Thailand.
Phanom Thuan
พนมทวน | |
|---|---|
Wat Ban Thuan, tambon Phanom Thuan | |
 District location in Kanchanaburi province | |
| Coordinates: 14°7′49″N 99°41′56″E | |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Province |  Kanchanaburi |
| Seat | Phanom Thuan |
| Area | |
• Total | 536 km2 (207 sq mi) |
| Population (2024)[2] | |
• Total | 52,319 |
| • Density | 98/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Postal code | 71140 + 71170 |
| Calling code | 034 |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-7109 |
History
The area of Phanom Thuan was occupied in prehistoric times. At the archaeological site of Ban Don Ta Phet many artifacts were found in a 4th century cemetery, which indicated trade relations with India, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
At the Don Chedi archaeological site an excavation by the Fine Arts Department in 1982 recovered many human skeletons as well as elephant bones and swords. Thus this site might even have been the location of the famous battle of King Naresuan against the Burmese crown-prince, most commonly assigned to the Don Chedi district nearby.
Phanom Thuan district was one of the first three districts of Kanchanaburi Province. It was at first named Nuea ('northern') district as it covered the northern part of the province. When in 1831 King Rama III relocated the center of Kanchanaburi and readjusted its extent, Nuea district was renamed to Ban Thuan, covering the mountainous areas and the northward flowing river. In 1939 the district name was changed to Phanom Thuan.[3]
Toponymy
The name "Phanom Thuan" comes from a local waterway, Khlong Thuan or Maenam Thuan, a minor branch of the Mae Klong River which separates from the Mae Klong at Tha Muang district, near the Mae Klong Dam. It then flows upstream (hence the name "Phanom Thuan," which means "upstream watercourse") until it finally converges with Khlong Chorakhe Sam Phan, a branch of the Tha Chin River. Meanwhile, "Phanom" is a borrowed word from the Khmer "ភ្នំ," meaning "mountain."[4]
Geography
Neighbouring districts are (from the south clockwise) Tha Maka, Tha Muang, Mueang Kanchana Buri, Bo Phloi, Huai Krachao of Kanchanaburi Province, U Thong and Song Phi Nong of Suphanburi province.
Administration
Provincial administration
The district is divided into eight subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 103 administrative villages (mubans).[2]
| No. | Subdistrict | Thai | Villages | Pop. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Phanom Thuan | พนมทวน | 9 | 7,354 |
| 2. | Nong Rong | หนองโรง | 17 | 6,776 |
| 3. | Thung Samo | ทุ่งสมอ | 4 | 2,971 |
| 4. | Don Chedi | ดอนเจดีย์ | 8 | 4,881 |
| 5. | Phang Tru | พังตรุ | 20 | 9,402 |
| 6. | Rang Wai | รางหวาย | 23 | 11,154 |
| 11. | Nong Sarai | หนองสาหร่าย | 9 | 3,667 |
| 12. | Don Ta Phet | ดอนตาเพชร | 13 | 6,114 |
| Total | 103 | 52,319 |
Missing numbers now form Huai Krachao district.
Local government
Municipalities
As of December 2024 there are five municipal (thesaban) areas in the district: Nong Sarai and Don Chedi subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambons) consist of the whole subdistricts Nong Sarai and Don Chedi, Phanom Thuan subdistrict municipality covers parts of subdistrict Phanom Tuan, Rang Wai and Talat Khet subdistrict municipalities cover the entire subdistrict Rang Wai.[5]
| Subdistrict municipality | Pop. | LAO code | website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rang Wai | 7,169 | 05710904 | rangwai |
| Phanom Thuan | 5,082 | 05710901 | |
| Don Chedi | 4,881 | 05710909 | donchedi |
| Nong Sarai | 3,667 | 05710903 | nongsarai |
| Talat Khet subdistrict mun. | Pop. | 05710902 | talatkhet |
| Rang Wai | 3,985 |
Subdistrict administrative organizations
The non-municipal areas are administered by five subdistrict administrative organizations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon - o bo toh).[5]
| Subdistrict adm.org - SAO | Pop. | LAO code | website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phang Tru SAO | 9,402 | 06710907 | phangtru |
| Nong Rong SAO | 6,776 | 06710908 | nhongrong |
| Don Ta Phet SAO | 6,114 | 06710906 | dontaphet |
| Thung Samo SAO | 2,971 | 06710910 | thungsamorkan |
| Phanom Thuan SAO | 2,272 | 06710905 | phanomthuan |
Education
- 28 primary schools
- 3 secondary schools[6]
Healthcare
Hospitals
Phanom Thua district is served by one hospital
- Chao Khun Phaibun Phanom Thuan Hospital with 59 beds.
Health promoting hospitals
In the district there are nine health-promoting hospitals in total.[7]
| 1 Don Chedi | 1 Don Ta Phet | 1 Nong Rong | 1 Nong Sarai |
| 1 Thung Samo | 2 Phang Tru | 2 Rang Wai |
Religion
Economy
Phanom Thuan covers an area of approximately 200,000 rais (535.78 km2), of which 45% is agricultural land. Residents have a career in raising livestock such as beef cattle, etc.[4]
