La-ngu District
| La-ngu ละงู | |
|---|---|
| Amphoe | |
 Amphoe location in Satun Province | |
| Coordinates: 6°51′50″N 99°48′9″E / 6.86389°N 99.80250°ECoordinates: 6°51′50″N 99°48′9″E / 6.86389°N 99.80250°E | |
| Country |
 Thailand |
| Province | Satun |
| Seat | La-ngu |
| Area | |
| • Total | 380.35 km2 (146.85 sq mi) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 63,933 |
| • Density | 168.1/km2 (435/sq mi) |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) |
| Postal code | 91110 |
| Geocode | 9105 |
La-ngu (Thai: ละงู) is a district (amphoe) of Satun Province, southern Thailand. La-ngu's port, Pak Bara, is the ferry port year-round for boats going to most of the islands in Tarutao Marine National Park, which includes Ko Lipe. It is now the proposed site of Thailand's deep-seaport on the Andaman Sea.
History
La-ngu was one of the three original districts of Satun, at first a minor district (king amphoe) under Thung Wa district. When the pepper production in Thung Wa district declined in the 1910s, many natives moved to the farmland of La-ngu. In 1930 the government adjusted the administrative structure to match the changed economic situation, making La-ngu a district and reducing Thung Wa to a minor district under La-ngu.[1]
At first subdivided into seven tambon, in 1940 these were reduced to five.[2] The sixth tambon, Khao Khao, was created on 1 August 1978.[3]
Geography
Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Thung Wa, Manang, Khuan Kalong and Tha Phae. To the west is the Andaman Sea.
A big part of the shoreline of the district as well as several islands are part of the Mu Ko Phetra National Park.
Administration
The district is subdivided into 6 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 64 villages (muban). Kamphaeng is a township (thesaban tambon) which covers parts of tambon Kamphaeng. There are further 6 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).
| No. | Name | Thai name | Villages | Inh. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kamphaeng | กำแพง | 12 | 16,915 | |
| 2. | La-ngu | ละงู | 18 | 19,796 | |
| 3. | Khao Khao | เขาขาว | 7 | 6,020 | |
| 4. | Pak Nam | ปากน้ำ | 11 | 9,757 | |
| 5. | Nam Phut | น้ำผุด | 6 | 7,982 | |
| 6. | Laem Son | แหลมสน | 10 | 3,463 |
Pak Bara deep-seaport
For more than two decades,[4] plans for a deep-seaport at Pak Bara in La-ngu District have been vetted by the government, only to be dropped, then revived by successive governments. The seaport will be linked to a port in Songkhla on the Gulf of Thailand. The port will be capable of accommodating large container ships and supertankers. It would mean that vessels would not have to sail through the Malacca Straits, notorious for pirate attacks, to reach deep seaports at Laem Chabang or Bangkok. The project includes the construction of roads, port facilities and railway lines.[4]
In his televised address of 17 April 2014, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, once again proposed that that the project go ahead.[5] The project has been vociferously opposed by environmental groups and many local residents. Prayut said the port would be Thailand's gateway to the Andaman Sea, linking the country with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He went on to say, "I ask that conflicts in this area be halted. The government will help those affected by this project." Locals say marine traffic, pollution and contamination from logistic and petroleum activities will ruin the environment. The seaport and shipping lanes encroach on Mu Ko Phetra National Park, a source of local food and tourist revenue for locals.[6] Construction of the seaport would mean the 4,734 rai national park would lose its protected status.[7]
Transport Minister Prajin Juntong ordered the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to speed up completion of a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) report to be submitted in April 2016. Prajin said the ministry had approved a budget of 50 million baht for the conduct of the study.[4]
References
- ↑ ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง ย้ายสับเปลี่ยนที่ว่าการอำเภอ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai) 47 (0 ก): 193. 1930-09-14.
- ↑ ข้อมูลทั่วไป (in Thai). La-ngu police station.
- ↑ ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง ตั้งและเปลี่ยนแปลงเขตตำบลในท้องที่อำเภอละงู จังหวัดสตูล (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai) 95 (95 ง): 2966–2968. September 12, 1978.
- 1 2 3 Mahitthirook, Amornrat; Wangkiat, Paritta (2015-05-12). "Prajin sets deadline for Pak Bara port plan". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ↑ "PM intends to pursue Pak Bara seaport project". The Nation. 2015-04-19. Retrieved 19 Apr 2015.
- ↑ "Mu Ko Phetra National Park". Department of National Parks, Thailand. Retrieved 19 Apr 2015.
- ↑ "PM under fire for reviving Pak Bara port". Bangkok Post. 2015-04-19. Retrieved 19 Apr 2015.