Country Thailand Time zone ICT (UTC+7) Geocode 5023 Population 21,652 (2005) | Seat On Klang Postal code 50130 Area 442.3 km² Province Chiang Mai Province | |
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Mae On is a district (amphoe) of Chiang Mai Province in the north of Thailand.
Contents
Map of Mae On District, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Geography
The district is about 40 km east of the city Chiang Mai. Neighboring districts are (from the west clockwise) San Kamphaeng and Doi Saket (Chiang Mai Province), Mueang Pan and Mueang Lampang of Lampang Province, Ban Thi, Mueang Lamphun and Mae Tha of Lamphun Province.
The Mae Ta Krai National Park protects the source of the On River (น้ำแม่ออน), a tributary of the Ping River that gives its name to the district.
Mae On is a popular destination for rock climbers who wish to climb the limestone cliffs of "Crazy Horse Buttress" in the Khun Tan Range. Rock climbing at Crazy Horse has greatly expanded since 2000 due to the work of Joshua Morris and Khaetthaleeya Uppakham while writing their book, A Guide to Rock Climbing in Northern Thailand. Other tourist attractions of the town include natural hot springs and the Mae On cave system.
History
The minor district (King Amphoe) was created on April 30, 1994, when six tambon were split off from San Kamphaeng district.
Following a decision of the Thai government on May 15, 2007, all of the 81 minor districts were to be upgraded to full districts. With the publishing in the Royal Gazette on August 24 the upgrade became official.
Administration
The district is subdivided into six subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 49 villages (muban). There are no municipal (thesaban) areas. Each of the tambons is led by a tambon administrative organization (TAO).