Phrao (Thai: พร้าว, pronounced [pʰráːw]; Northern Thai: ป๊าว, pronounced [páːw]) is a district (amphoe) in the north-eastern part of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. Its major town, Phrao, lies 107 km north-northeast of Chiang Mai. The meaning of Phrao in English is 'coconut'.

Phrao
พร้าว
Rice paddy fields
Rice paddy fields
District location in Chiang Mai province
District location in Chiang Mai province
Coordinates: 19°21′57″N 99°12′8″E / 19.36583°N 99.20222°E / 19.36583; 99.20222
CountryThailand
ProvinceChiang Mai
Area
 • Total1,148.2 km2 (443.3 sq mi)
Population
 (2005)
 • Total52,222
 • Density45.5/km2 (118/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code50190
Geocode5011

History

edit

The name Phrao was given to this city around 1281 by King Mangrai of Lan Na who had been on his way to invade Hariphunchai Kingdom.[1] After this, Mangrai sent his third son, Khrua to rule Phrao.[2] Hereafter, Phrao became one of the important cities of the Lan Na Kingdom.

King Tilokarat, who is considered a god-king of Lan Na,[3] once ruled this city before becoming a king.[4]

Geography

edit
The Khun Tan Range

Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) Doi Saket, Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, Chai Prakan of Chiang Mai Province, Mae Suai, and Wiang Pa Pao of Chiang Rai province.

The Khun Tan Range stretches from north to south along the eastern side of the district.

Administration

edit

The district is divided into 11 sub-districts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 108 villages (muban). Wiang Phrao is a township (thesaban tambon), which covers parts of tambon Wiang and the whole of Thung Luang. There are a further nine tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No. Name Thai name Villages Pop.
1. Wiang เวียง 6 3,803
2. Thung Luang ทุ่งหลวง 6 1,821
3. Pa Tum ป่าตุ้ม 12 5,475
4. Pa Nai ป่าไหน่ 10 4,799
5. San Sai สันทราย 15 6,646
6. Ban Pong บ้านโป่ง 8 4,053
7. Nam Phrae น้ำแพร่ 8 3,484
8. Khuean Phak เขื่อนผาก 10 5,021
9. Mae Waen แม่แวน 11 5,517
10. Mae Pang แม่ปั๋ง 13 6,571
11. Long Khot โหล่งขอด 9 5,032

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Chiang Mai Chronicle, 1998, pp.28,32
  2. ^ Chiang Mai Chronicle, 1998, pp.54
  3. ^ Ongsakul, 2005, p.80
  4. ^ Chiang Mai Chronicle, 1998, pp.78

Bibliography

edit
  • The Chiang Mai Chronicle 2nd ed, tr. David K. Wyatt and Aroonrut Wichienkeeo, Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1998, ISBN 978-974-7100-62-4
  • Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, "The Vale of Phrao" in: Ancient Chiang Mai Volume 3. Chiang Mai: Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006IN1RNW
  • Ongsakul, Sarassawadee, History of Lan Na, trans. Chitraporn Tanratanakul, Chian Mai: Silkworm Books, Thai text 2001, English text 2005, ISBN 978-974-9575-84-0
edit