Nakhon Chai Si district

Nakhon Chai Si was originally established during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat of the Ayutthaya kingdom. When King Chulalongkorn introduced the Monthon system as part of the Thesaphiban administrative reform, Mueang Nakhon Chai Si became the capital city of Monthon Nakhon Chai Si. Later, after the system was abolished, Mueang Nakhon Chai Si was downgraded to a district under Nakhon Pathom province.

The name Nakhon Chai Si was given in remembrance of King Chaiyasiri of the Singhanavati Kingdom, who was the son of King Phrom and believed by the people of Ayutthaya to be their ancestor.^[1]

More than a thousand years ago, Han Chinese referred to Nakhon Chai Si, along with nearby areas such as Samut Sakhon, by the Teochew name "Leng Kia Chu" (Chinese: 龍仔厝; pinyin: Lóng zǐ cuò). This term means "home of the dragon's descendants" and may have been inspired by the way the Tha Chin River winds through the region in curves that resemble a serpent or dragon.^[2]

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise): Bang Len, Phutthamonthon, Sam Phran, Mueang Nakhon Pathom, and Don Tum.

The main water resource is the Tha Chin River, which is named Nakhon Chai Si River in the area of and around the district.

In mid-2019, the Department of Airports (DOA) proposed the construction of a new airport in Nakhon Pathom province, 50 kilometres west of Bangkok, to relieve pressure on Bangkok's two existing airports. The 20 billion baht airport would occupy 3,500 rai of land in Nakhon Chai Si District as well as Bang Len. Its capacity would be 25 million passengers annually. If approved, construction would start in 2023 and the airport would be operational by 2025 or 2026.^[3]

The district is divided into 24 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 108 villages (mubans). Both Nakhon Chai Si and Huai Phlu have sub-district municipality (thesaban tambon) status. Each of the tambons has a tambon administrative organization (TAO).