U Thong district


U Thong is the district in the western part of Suphan Buri province, north of Bangkok.

History

[Image:Phrajaouthong06.jpg|thumb|Statue of Phra Chao U-Thong (founder of Ayutthaya) in Amphoe U Thong, Suphan Buri Province.]
Higham states, "U-Thong was occupied for many centuries prior to the development of the Dvaravati state. Radiocarbon determinations from the sites of U-Thong and Chansen suggest that the transition into complex state societies in the Chao Phraya basin took place between about 300–600 AD." A copper inscription from the mid-7th century states, "Sri Harshavarman, grandson of Ishanavarman, having expanded his sphere of glory, obtained the lion throne through regular succession," and mentions gifts to a linga. The site includes a moat, 1,690 by 840 m, and the Pra Paton caitya.
It also became the origin of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, as the first King of Ayutthaya, Ramathibodi, was prince of U Thong when the city was struck by an epidemic, prompting him to relocate east and found Ayutthaya.
U Thong district was created with the name Chorakhe Sam Phan in 1905. In 1939 the district was renamed U Thong. In 1944, the government moved the centre of the district from Ban Chorakhe Sam Phan to the area of the ancient city.

Geography

Neighbouring districts are : Don Chedi, Mueang [Suphan Buri district|Mueang Suphan Buri], Bang Pla Ma, Song Phi Nong of Suphan Buri Province; Lao Khwan, Huai Krachao, and Phanom Thuan of Kanchanaburi province.

Administration

Central administration

U Thong district is divided into 13 sub-districts, which are further subdivided into 154 administrative villages.
No.NameThaiVillagesPop.
1.U Thongอู่ทอง1123,868
2.Sa Yai Somสระยายโสม108,352
3.Chorakhe Sam Phanจรเข้สามพัน1513,105
4.Ban Donบ้านดอน97,710
5.Yung Thalaiยุ้งทะลาย74,497
6.Don Maklueaดอนมะเกลือ124,548
7.Nong Ongหนองโอ่ง149,859
8.Don Khaดอนคา2013,245
9.Phlapphla Chaiพลับพลาไชย1411,854
10.Ban Khongบ้านโข้ง148,855
11.Chediเจดีย์83,076
12.Sa Phang Lanสระพังลาน105,203
13.Krachanกระจัน107,249

Local administration

There are nine sub-district municipalities in the district:
  • Chorakhe Sam Phan consists of sub-district Chorakhe Sam Phan.
  • Chedi consists of sub-district Chedi.
  • Sa Yai Som consists of parts of the sub-district Sa Yai Som.
  • U Thong consists of parts of the sub-district U Thong.
  • Khun Phat Pheng consists of parts of the sub-district Sa Yai Som.
  • Ban Don consists of sub-district Ban Don.
  • Ban Khong consists of sub-district Ban Khong.
  • Krachan consists of sub-district, Krachan.
  • Thao U Thong consists of parts of sub-district U Thong.
There are six sub-district administrative organizations (SAO) in the district:
  • Yung Thalai consists of sub-district Yung Thalai.
  • Don Makluea consists of sub-district Don Makluea.
  • Nong Ong consists of sub-district Nong Ong.
  • Don Kha consists of sub-district Don Kha.
  • Phlapphla Chai consists of sub-district Phlapphla Chai.
  • Sa Phang Lan consists of sub-district Sa Phang Lan.