Amphoe Pak Chong 6.36

Pak Chong is the westernmost district of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.HistoryIn the past this area was a part of Tambon Khanong Phra, Chan Thuek District .In 1949 Ban Pak Chong was upgraded to Tambon Pak Chong. It was upgraded to a minor district effective 1 January 1957, consisting of the four sub-districts Pak Chong, Chanthuek, Klong Dan, and Mu Si. It was upgraded to a full district in July 1958.EtymologyIn the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) during the construction of the northeastern railway through the area, the Nok Yung and Noi mountains were blasted through to make a cut (chong in Thai) for the railway. The people named the village Pak Chong, meaning "mouth of the channel".GeographyPak Chong is the biggest district of Nakhon Ratchasima by area. Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Sikhio, Wang Nam Khiao of Nakhon Ratchasima, Mueang Nakhon Nayok of Nakhon Nayok Province, Prachantakham of Prachinburi Province, and Muak Lek of Saraburi Province.The district is the gateway to the northeast (Isan) of Thailand from the central region, as the main pass through the Sankamphaeng Range mountainous area is in the southern section of the district. The southern parts of the district are part of Thailand's first and largest national park, Khao Yai. Within the park is the origin of the Takhong River, a tributary of the Mun River. The Takhong is the main water resource of Nakhon Ratchasima city.