Si Thep district

Si Thep ศรีเทพ
Amphoe
Amphoe location in Phetchabun Province
Coordinates: 15°27′12″N 101°4′2″E
Country	Thailand
Province	Phetchabun
Seat	Khok Sa-at
Area
• Total	810.0 km2 (312.7 sq mi)
Population  (2000)
• Total	63,300
• Density	78.1/km2 (202/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code	67170
Geocode	6706

Si Thep (Thai: ศรีเทพ, pronounced [sǐː tʰêːp]) is the southernmost district (amphoe) of Phetchabun Province, Thailand, in the Pa Sak valley.

History

Higham reports of a 7th century Dvaravati inscription from Sri Thep that states, "In the year...a king who is nephew of the great King, who is the son of Pruthiveenadravarman, and who is great as Bhavavarman, who has renowned moral principles, who is powerful and the terror of his enemies, erects this inscription on ascending the throne." A moat enclosed 4.7 square km, while the Khao Klang Nai structure dates from the 6th to 7th century. Prang Song Phi Nong and Prang Sri Thep were built in the 11th to 12th centuries.

The district was created on 13 December 1970 as a minor district (king amphoe) with territory from Wichian Buri District. It was upgraded to be Amphoe Si Thep on 8 August 1976.

The ancient city of Si Thep was built in Khmer era. Prince Damrong found the area of the old city in 1905 when he visited Monthon Phetchabun. It is now the Si Thep Historical Park.

Geography

Neighboring district are (from the north clockwise) Wichian Buri of Phetchabun Province, and Lam Sonthi, Chai Badan, and Khok Charoen of Lopburi Province.

Administration

The district is divided into seven sub-districts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 93 villages (muban). The township (thesaban tambon) Sawang Watthana covers parts of the tambon Sa Kruat. There are a further seven tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No. Name Thai name Villages Pop. 1. Si Thep ศรีเทพ 15 10,465 2. Sa Kruat สระกรวด 17 15,731 3. Khlong Krachang คลองกระจัง 18 13,554 4. Na Sanun นาสนุ่น 20 11,011 5. Khok Sa-at โคกสะอาด 13 6,748 6. Nong Yang Thoi หนองย่างทอย 12 9,353 7. Pradu Ngam ประดู่งาม 8 3,024