Sawankhalok District

Sawankhalok (Thai: สวรรคโลก, pronounced [sā.wǎn.kʰā.lôːk]) is a district (amphoe) in the northern part of Sukhothai Province, in the lower north of Thailand.[1][2]

Sawankhalok

สวรรคโลก
District location in Sukhothai Province
Coordinates: 17°19′0″N 99°49′54″E
CountryThailand
ProvinceSukhothai
SeatMueang Sawankhalok
Area
  Total586.192 km2 (226.330 sq mi)
Population
 (2008)
  Total87,735
  Density151.7/km2 (393/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code64110
Geocode6407

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) Si Samrong, Thung Saliam, Si Satchanalai, Si Nakhon of Sukhothai Province, Phichai of Uttaradit Province and Phrom Phiram of Phitsanulok Province.

History

The district was originally the capital district of Sawankhalok Province, which in 1932 was merged with Sukhothai Province.[3] The new province was at first named Sawankhalok, but in 1939 was renamed Sukhothai and its capital district moved to Sukhothai District.[4]

In 1917, the district was renamed from Mueang (เมือง) to Wang Mai Khon (วังไม้ขอน).[5] In 1938 it was named Mueang Sawankhalok (เมืองสวรรคโลก),[6] which was changed to Sawankhalok in 1939 following the provincial renaming.[4]

In the 14th–16th centuries the area was a center of ceramics manufacture, Sangkhalok ceramic ware being its best-known example.

Economy

Subdistrict Ban Klong Krachong in Sawankhalok District is the largest producer of fresh banana leaves in Thailand. More than 50% of Sukhothai's 14,215 rai of banana plantations are in Ban Klong Krachong. The banana leaf industry generated about 179 million baht for the community in 2018.[7] Banana leaves are used for wrapping foodstuffs and crafts such as fashioning krathong. Sawankholok farmers grow kluay tani bananas (Musa balbisiana). The fruit of this wild species of banana is not eaten as it is full of seeds. But the leaves of kluay tani (กล้วยตานี) are prized for their large size and toughness. In 2018, 40 local banana leaf farmers formed a group, Klum Kasettakon Plaeng Yai, to produce biodegradable banana leaf tableware: plates and bowls initially. Although the initiative is in its early stages, the group have already received orders from Thailand and abroad.[7]

Administration

The district is divided into 14 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 143 villages (mubans). Suwankhalok is a town (thesaban mueang) and covers tambon Mueang Suwankhalok. There are a further 13 tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No. Name Thai Villages Pop.[8]
01.Mueang Sawankhalokเมืองสวรรคโลก0918,051
02.Nai Mueangในเมือง1408,327
03.Khlong Krachongคลองกระจง0905,092
04.Wang Phinphatวังพิณพาทย์04000804
05.Wang Mai Khonวังไม้ขอน1101,778
06.Yan Yaoย่านยาว1208,767
07.Na Thungนาทุ่ง1205,307
08.Khlong Yangคลองยาง1207,139
09.Mueang Bang Yomเมืองบางยม0502,921
10.Tha Thongท่าทอง0803,668
11.Pak Namปากน้ำ1206,982
12.Pa Kum Koป่ากุมเกาะ1407,991
13.Mueang Bang Khlangเมืองบางขลัง1305,038
14.Nong Klapหนองกลับ0805,870

References

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