Country Thailand Time zone ICT (UTC+7) Area 94.97 km² Province Pathum Thani Province | Seat Bang Toei Postal code 12160 Population 63,751 (2015) Geocode 1307 | |
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Sam Khok (Thai: สามโคก; [sǎːm kʰôːk]) is a district (amphoe) in the northern part of Pathum Thani Province, central Thailand, about 50 kilometres north of Bangkok.
Contents
Map of Sam Khok District, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand
History
Mueang Sam Khok is an ancient city, dating to the early-Ayutthaya Kingdom, It was called "Thung Phaya Muang" before King Uthong established the kingdom in 1350. The first written evidence of its existence—the law on official seals dated 1632—occurs in the reign of King Prasat Thong.
In 1660, a group of Mon people migrated to Ayutthaya because they were oppressed by Burmese rule in their homeland. King Narai the Great provided the area of Mueang Sam Khok for them to establish a new town. Later a further immigration of Mon people to Thailand happened in the reign of King Taksin the Great in 1774 and King Rama II in 1815. Some immigrants settled at Sam Khok, others moved to Pak Kret, Nonthaburi Province and Phra Pa Daeng, Samut Prakan Province.
In 1726 a book entitled, Oud En Niew Oost-Indien was published in Holland by the Dutch cartographer, De Groote. In it, De Groote's map called Siamese Rievier Menam describes Sam Khok as a Potte Bakkers Drop ("pottery-making village"). Sam Khok is still known for its big Mon pottery jars.
When King Rama II visited Sam Khok in 1815 for the kathin (Buddhist robe ceremony) and rub bua (lotus presentation) the local Mon people gave him many lotus flowers. Impressed by their devotion, the king renamed the city "Prathum Thani", meaning "city of lotus". At the same time, the king upgraded the city to a third-class city. King Rama VI later renamed the city Pathum Thani, but the meaning is unchanged.
King Chulalongkorn changed the status of the city to be Amphoe Sam Khok in 1898.
Geography
Neighbouring districts are (from the north clockwise) Lat Bua Luang and Bang Sai of Ayutthaya Province, and Khlong Luang, Mueang Pathum Thani and Lat Lum Kaeo of Pathum Thani Province.
The district is crossed by the Chao Phraya River.
Administration
The district is divided into 11 sub-districts (tambon, which are further subdivided into 58 villages (muban). Bang Toei has township (thesaban tambon) status and covers part of the tambon Bang Toei. Each of the tambon has a tambon administrative organization (TAO).