Bang Saphan District
| Bang Saphan บางสะพาน | |
|---|---|
| Amphoe | |
 Amphoe location in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province | |
| Coordinates: 11°12′51″N 99°30′43″E / 11.21417°N 99.51194°ECoordinates: 11°12′51″N 99°30′43″E / 11.21417°N 99.51194°E | |
| Country |
 Thailand |
| Province | Prachuap Khiri Khan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 868.0 km2 (335.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 71,241 |
| • Density | 82.07/km2 (212.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone | THA (UTC+7) |
| Postal code | 77140 |
| Geocode | 7704 |
Bang Saphan or Bangsaphan (Thai: บางสะพาน) is a district (Amphoe) in the southern part of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, central Thailand.
History
Bang Saphan was an ancient city since Ayutthaya kingdom. In Thonburi kingdom, it was named Mueang Kamnoed Nopphakhun. King Nangklao (Rama III) of Rattanakosin set Kamnoed Nopphakhun to be a 4th class city under the Kalahom (Defence ministry). King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) downgraded the city to be Mueang Kamnoed Nopphakhun district. In 1915 King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) renamed the district by cutting the word Mueang off. Later the king changed the name to be Bang Saphan.
Geography
Amphoe Bang Saphan's neighboring districts are Thap Sakae to the north and Bang Saphan Noi to the south. To the west are the Tenasserim Hills and the Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar, to the east the Gulf of Thailand.
Administration
The district is divided into 7 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 71 villages (muban). There are three townships (thesaban tambon) areas - Kamnoet Nopphakhun covers parts of tambon Kamnoet Nopphakhun, Ronthong covers part of tambon Ronthong, and Ban Krut covers parts of tambon Thongchai. There are further 7 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO) responsible for the non-municipal areas.
| No. | Name | Thai name | Villages | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kamnoet Nopphakhun | กำเนิดนพคุณ | 8 | |
| 2. | Phong Prasat | พงศ์ประศาสน์ | 11 | |
| 3. | Ron Thong | ร่อนทอง | 12 | |
| 4. | Thong Chai | ธงชัย | 11 | |
| 5. | Chai Kasem | ชัยเกษม | 12 | |
| 6. | Thong Mongkhon | ทองมงคล | 10 | |
| 7. | Mae Ramphueng | แม่รำพึง | 7 |
Attractions
Bang Saphan is a quiet and rural area, mostly unspoiled by mass tourism. The district has some fine beaches in Ban Krut, Bang Saphan Noi, and Ban Burd, which offer white sand and clear water. Koh Talu, just of the coast, is also an increasingly popular diving and snorkeling spot for its beautiful coral reefs and marine life.