Amphoe Thepha 5.11

Thepha is a district in the southeastern part of Songkhla Province, southern Thailand.GeographyNeighboring districts are Nong Chik, Khok Pho of Pattani Province, Saba Yoi, Na Thawi, and Chana of Songkhla Province. To the north is the Gulf of Thailand.EtymologyThe name Thepha is a Thai language corruption of "tiba", its original name, meaning "arrive" in Malay.HistoryThepa was at first a fourth-class mueang and subordinate of mueang Phatthalung. The governor had to present a golden and silver tree to the governor of Phatthalung to pay its tribute. In the reign of King Rama II the town was transferred to Songkhla and elevated to a third-class mueang.In 1901 as part of the thesaphiban administrative reforms the mueang was reduced to a district of Songkhla. The district office was in Ban Phra Phut (บ้านพระพุทธ), village two of Thepha subdistrict. When, in 1932, the railway was built through the district, the office was moved to a more convenient location in Ban Tha Phru (บ้านท่าพรุ), village one of Thepha subdistrict, close to the railway station, then named Tha Muang (ท่าม่วง). Subsequently, the station was renamed "Thepha".