Sawankhalok (Thai: สวรรคโลก, pronounced [sā.wǎn.kʰā.lôːk]) is a district (amphoe) in the northern part of Sukhothai province, in the lower north of Thailand.[1][2]

Sawankhalok
สวรรคโลก
District location in Sukhothai province
District location in Sukhothai province
Coordinates: 17°19′0″N 99°49′54″E / 17.31667°N 99.83167°E / 17.31667; 99.83167
CountryThailand
ProvinceSukhothai
SeatMueang Sawankhalok
Area
 • Total586.192 km2 (226.330 sq mi)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total87,735
 • Density151.7/km2 (393/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code64110
Geocode6407

Geography

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Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) Si Samrong, Thung Saliam, Si Satchanalai, Si Nakhon of Sukhothai Province, Phichai of Uttaradit province and Phrom Phiram of Phitsanulok province.

History

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The district was originally the capital district of Sawankhalok Province, which in 1932 was merged with Sukhothai Province.[3] The new province was at first named Sawankhalok, but in 1939 was renamed Sukhothai and its capital district moved to Sukhothai district.[4]

In 1917, the district was renamed from Mueang (เมือง) to Wang Mai Khon (วังไม้ขอน).[5] In 1938 it was named Mueang Sawankhalok (เมืองสวรรคโลก),[6] which was changed to Sawankhalok in 1939 following the provincial renaming.[4]

In the 14th–16th centuries the area was a center of ceramics manufacture, Sangkhalok ceramic ware being its best-known example.

Economy

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Subdistrict Ban Klong Krachong in Sawankhalok district is the largest producer of fresh banana leaves in Thailand. More than 50% of Sukhothai's 14,215 rai of banana plantations are in Ban Klong Krachong. The banana leaf industry generated about 179 million baht for the community in 2018.[7] Banana leaves are used for wrapping foodstuffs and crafts such as fashioning krathong. Sawankholok farmers grow kluay tani bananas (Musa balbisiana). The fruit of this wild species of banana is not eaten as it is full of seeds. But the leaves of kluay tani (กล้วยตานี) are prized for their large size and toughness. In 2018, 40 local banana leaf farmers formed a group, Klum Kasettakon Plaeng Yai, to produce biodegradable banana leaf tableware: plates and bowls initially. Although the initiative is in its early stages, the group have already received orders from Thailand and abroad.[7]

Administration

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The district is divided into 14 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 143 villages (mubans). Suwankhalok is a town (thesaban mueang) and covers tambon Mueang Suwankhalok. There are a further 13 tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No. Name Thai Villages Pop.[8]
01. Mueang Sawankhalok เมืองสวรรคโลก 09 18,051
02. Nai Mueang ในเมือง 14 08,327
03. Khlong Krachong คลองกระจง 09 05,092
04. Wang Phinphat วังพิณพาทย์ 04 000804
05. Wang Mai Khon วังไม้ขอน 11 01,778
06. Yan Yao ย่านยาว 12 08,767
07. Na Thung นาทุ่ง 12 05,307
08. Khlong Yang คลองยาง 12 07,139
09. Mueang Bang Yom เมืองบางยม 05 02,921
10. Tha Thong ท่าทอง 08 03,668
11. Pak Nam ปากน้ำ 12 06,982
12. Pa Kum Ko ป่ากุมเกาะ 14 07,991
13. Mueang Bang Khlang เมืองบางขลัง 13 05,038
14. Nong Klap หนองกลับ 08 05,870

References

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  1. ^ "ข้อมูลทั่วไป". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  2. ^ "Tourism Investment Geo-Informatic Systems - Tourism Investment Geo-Informatic Systems". tourisminvest.tat.or.th. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  3. ^ พระบรมราชโองการ ประกาศ ยุบรวมท้องที่บางมณฑลและบางจังหวัด. Royal Gazette (in Thai). 48 (ก): 576–578. 1932-02-21.[dead link]
  4. ^ a b พระราชกฤษฎีกาเปลี่ยนนามจังหวัดและอำเภอบางแห่ง พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๒ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 56 (ก): 351–353. 1939-04-17. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2008.
  5. ^ ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนชื่ออำเภอ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 34 (ก): 40–68. 1917-04-29. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2011.
  6. ^ พระราชกฤษฎีกาเปลี่ยนนามจังหวัด และอำเภอบางแห่ง พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๑ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 55 (ก): 658–666. 1938-11-14. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Karnjanatawe, Karnjana (19 August 2019). "Going bananas". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Population statistics 2008". Department of Provincial Administration. Archived from the original on 2009-08-20.
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