Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Mueang Surat Thani
thai=เมืองสุราษฎร์ธานี
province=Surat Thani
capital=Talat
coordinates=coord|9|8|11|N|99|19|13|E|region:TH_type:adm2nd
area=233.8
population=166,891
population_as_of=2004
density=713.8
postal_code=84100
geocode=8401

Mueang Surat Thani ( _th. เมืองสุราษฎร์ธานี) is the capital district ("Amphoe Mueang") of Surat Thani Province in southern Thailand.

Geography

The district is located at the mouth of the Tapi River into the Bandon Bay of the Gulf of Thailand. Neighboring districts are (from the east clockwise) Kanchanadit, Ban Na San, Ban Na Doem and Phunphin.

To the east of the district the Thathong River marks the natural boundary to Kanchanadit, while the boundary to Phunphin is partially marked by the western arm of the Tapi river. The Khun Thale is a small lake located in the center of the district. The Khao Tha Phet non-hunting area protects 4.65 km² of a hill south of the city Surat Thani.

The Khun Thale swamp to the south of the district is the source of two short minor rivers which meander through the city, "Khlong" Makham Tia and "Khlong" Tha Kup.

History

The district was formed when in 1897 "Mueang" Chaiya and Kanchanadit were merged into a single province named Chaiya, with its administrative center located at Ban Don, with the district named Ban Don (บ้านดอน) accordingly. In 1915 the province was renamed to Surat Thani. In 1938 the district was renamed to Mueang Surat Thani, when all capital districts were named according to the corresponding province name. [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=55|issue=0 ก|pages=658|title=พระราชกฤษฎีกาเปลี่ยนนามจังหวัด และอำเภอบางแห่ง พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๑|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2481/A/658.PDF|date=November 14 1938|language=Thai]

Administration

The district is subdivided into 11 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 60 villages ("muban"). Surat Thani itself is a city ("thesaban nakhon") and covers the "tambon" Talad and Bang Kung, and parts of the "tambon" Khlong Chanak, Bang Chana, Bang Bai Mai and Makham Tia. Wat Pradu has township ("thesaban tambon") status. There are also 9 tambon administrative organizations (TAO), for each "tambon" except the two completely covered by the city.

References

External links

* [http://amphoe.com/menu.php?mid=1&am=698&pv=66 amphoe.com]