Amphoe Chat Trakan

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Chat Trakan
thai=ชาติตระการ
province=Phitsanulok
coordinates=coord|17|16|36|N|100|35|57|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
capital=Pa Daeng
area=1,586.2
population=38,646
population_as_of=2005
density=24.4
postal_code=65170
geocode=6503

Chat Trakan ( _th. ชาติตระการ) is the northernmost district ("Amphoe") of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand.

History

"Mueang" Chat Trakan was an ancient city in the same age as "Mueang" Nakhon Thai. Originally part of Nakhon Thai district, it was made a minor district ("King Amphoe") on May 1 1969,consisting of the two "tambon" Chat Trakan and Pa Daeng. [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=86|issue=42 ง|pages=1696|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง แบ่งท้องที่ตั้งเป็นกิ่งอำเภอ|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2512/D/042/1696.PDF
date=May 13 1969|language=Thai] It was upgraded to a full district on April 1 1974. [cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=91|issue=54 ก special issue |pages=30–33|title=พระราชกฤษฎีกาตั้งอำเภอเขาวง อำเภอเชียงม่วน อำเภอดอนตาล อำเภอชาติตระการ อำเภอภูเรือ อำเภอเคียนซา อำเภอน้ำโสม อำเภอหนองวัวซอ และอำเภอน้ำยืน พ.ศ. ๒๕๑๗|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2517/A/054/30.PDF|date=March 28 1974|language=Thai]

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the southeast clockwise) Na Haeo of Loei Province, Nakhon Thai, Wang Thong, Wat Bot of Phitsanulok Province, Thong Saen Khan and Nam Pat of Uttaradit Province. And to the east it borders Xaignabouli of Laos.

Chat Trakan lies within the Nan Basin, which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. The Khwae Noi River flows through Chat Trakan, as well as the lesser Kap (Thai: ลำน้ำคับ), Phak (Thai: ลำน้ำภาค) and Kleung (Thai: ลำน้ำคลึง) Rivers.

The Namtok Chat Trakan National Park is located in Chat Trakan district.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 6 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 72 villages ("muban"). The township ("thesaban tambon") Pa Daeng covers parts of "tambon" Pa Daeng and Tha Sakae. There are further 6 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

Temples

There are 36 active Buddhist temples in Amphoe Chat Trakan. [http://www.culture.pitlok.net/wat9.html Culture.Pitlok.net] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.amphoe.com/menu.php?am=416&pv=36 amphoe.com] (Thai)
* [http://web.mac.com/paulgarrigan Private website on Chat Trakan]
* [http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=140&lg=2 Namtok Chat Trakan National Park]