Country Thailand Time zone THA (UTC+7) Geocode 1702 Population 37,936 (2000) | Seat Sing Postal code 16130 Area 190.5 km² Province Sing Buri Province | |
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Bang Rachan (Thai: บางระจัน; [bāːŋ rā.tɕān]) is a district (Amphoe) of Singburi Province, central Thailand.
Contents
Map of Bang Rachan District, Sing Buri, Thailand
Etymology
The word bang is a Thai word meaning "home", "village", or more specifically "river village". Rachan is a Sanskrit word which is most commonly translated as "Creation" but can have many meanings. One possible meaning is "formation" or "array of troops", and since Bang Rachan was the place of a historically important battle, maybe this is the original meaning? Another possible connection is the Sanskrit word for king; rajan, which may not be too far fetched since the king of Siam resided in Ayutthaya at the time of the Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767) and could easily have visited or founded Bang Rachan, or it could even be the seat of a previous king. History of this area is very uncertain and conquerors have rewritten history intentionally several times, so the exact origin of the name is unknown. Rachan is even used as the name of a person, so "Bang Rachan" could simply refer to "the village by the river where Rachan lives".
History
The area of Amphoe Bang Rachan was mostly part of the historical Mueang Sing. When the government re-established Mueang Sing, the area was divided within two districts - Bang Phutsa (now Mueang Sing Buri) and Sing. The district was renamed to Bang Rachan in 1939.
The first district office was located on the right bank of the Noi river in Tambon Choeng Klat. In 1898 was moved to the left bank of the river in Tambon Sing area.
Despite its name, the historic battle of Bang Rachan between the Burmese army and Thai villagers took place in the area of neighboring Khai Bang Rachan district, which was split off from Bang Rachan district in 1972.
Geography
Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Sankhaburi of Chainat Province, In Buri, Mueang Sing Buri and Khai Bang Rachan of Singburi Province, and Doem Bang Nang Buat of Suphanburi Province.
Administration
The district is subdivided into 8 subdistricts (tambon).