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| native_name = ปากช่อง
| native_name_lang= th
| settlement_type = [[Amphoe|District]]
| image_alt =
| image_skyline = Nong Sarai, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand - panoramio.jpg
| image_caption = Lam Takhong Reservoir
| image_map = Amphoe 3021.svg
| map_caption = District location in [[Nakhon Ratchasima
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_caption =
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}}
'''Pak Chong
==<span class="anchor" id="Etymology"></span>History==
Up until the mid-19th century, the area of Pak Chong district and [[Muak Lek district|Muak Lek]] to its west was covered by a thick jungle known as [[Dong Phaya Fai]] (later to become known as Dong Phaya Yen), through which passed an important though harshly inhospitable route through the mountains that provided access into the [[Khorat plateau]] from the town of [[Sara Buri]].<ref name="Sarakadee" /> The population centre of Pak Chong was originally a small village on the eastern fringe of the jungle, which, according to writings of Prince [[Damrong Rajanubhab]], was the farthest point carts from [[Khorat]] could travel before needing to continue on foot through the rugged hills.<ref>{{cite book |author1=ดำรงราชานุภาพ, สมเด็จฯ กรมพระยา |title=เที่ยวตามทางรถไฟ |date=1966 |publisher=โรงพิมพ์สุทธิสารการพิมพ์ |page=101 |url=http://digital.nlt.go.th/items/show/16732? |language=th}}</ref> When the [[Northeastern Line (Thailand)|Northeastern Railway]] was built through the area in 1898 during the reign of King [[Chulalongkorn]] (Rama V), a cutting was made through the hills at the village, leading it to become known as Ban Pak Chong, meaning 'village at the mouth of the cutting'.<ref name="Gazetteer">{{cite web|title=ปากช่อง|work=Gazetteer of Thailand|publisher=Office of the Royal Society |url=https://gazetteer.orst.go.th/app/search_word?id=600d35d8436cfe0e9878c0e2 |access-date=8 February 2022 |language=th}}</ref>
At the time, the village was part of Tambon Khanong Phra of Amphoe Chan Thuek, which became renamed as Tambon Chanthuek of [[Amphoe Sikhio]] in 1939. In 1949, Ban Pak Chong was upgraded to
The forests of Dong Phaya Yen were rapidly cleared following the construction of [[Mittraphap Road]] in 1955, which vastly opened up access to the area. Most of the land became dedicated to agriculture, particularly plantations of maize and cassava, following government incentives.<ref name="Sarakadee">{{cite web |author1=ศรัณย์ บุญประเสริฐ |title=ตำนานดงพญาเย็น สู่มรดกโลก |url=https://www.sarakadee.com/2016/03/15/%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%8D%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99/ |website=Sarakadee Magazine |access-date=8 February 2022 |language=th |date=15 March 2016 |orig-year=October 2015}}</ref> Only scattered forested hills remain, leading up to [[Khao Yai National Park]] on the district's southern edge, which was established as the country's first national park in 1962. Proximity to the national park would later contribute to the district's development as a tourist destination, especially in the 2000s to 2010s.
The local government of Pak Chong town was first established as a sanitary district (''[[sukhaphiban]]'') in 1956. It was established as a subdistrict municipality (''[[thesaban]] tambon'') in 1981 and became a town municipality (''thesaban mueang'') in 2005.
==Geography==
[[File:Khaoyai panorama2.jpg
Pak Chong is the biggest district of Nakhon Ratchasima by area, at {{convert|1825.17|km2}}.
The district lies within the hills of the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains, which form the southwestern boundary of the [[Isan]] region (northeastern Thailand). The district is limited in the east by the [[Khorat Cuesta]], which forms a ridge marking the edge of the [[Khorat Plateau]],<ref>{{cite web |title=เควสตาโคราช |url=https://www.khoratcuesta.net/khorat-cuesta |website=Khorat Cuesta Stone Park |publisher=Suranaree University of Technology |access-date=8 February 2022 |language=th}}</ref> while the ridge of the [[Sankamphaeng Mountains]], covered by Khao Yai National Park, forms its southern border. The stream [[Khlong Muak Lek]], flowing northwards from the mountains, marks its western boundary. The [[Lam Takhong]], also originating in Khao Yai, flows northwards through the district, passing through Pak Chong town and emptying into the [[Lam Takhong Dam]] reservoir in the district's northeast.
Pak Chong district is the main entry point into Isan from the [[Central Thailand|central region]], as the primary routes of both road and rail traverse the district from west to northeast through the Dong Phaya Yen pass. Pak Chong town lies slightly north of the district's physical centre, while its southern area, abutting Khao Yai National Park and generally also known as Khao Yai, has developed into a spread-out resort area. The town of Klang Dong—meaning 'middle of the jungle'—lies southwest of Pak Chong town along the road and railway, to the district's west.
{{Wide image|Khao noi pakchong re.jpg|1100px|Pak Chong and Old Hwy 2 (note the new road is the bypass to the south). View from Khao Noy Park}}
==Climate==
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Pak Chong, elevation {{convert|386|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1993–2022)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Y
|Jan high C = 29.9
|Feb high C = 32.0
|Mar high C = 33.5
|Apr high C = 33.7
|May high C = 32.7
|Jun high C = 32.2
|Jul high C = 31.2
|Aug high C = 30.7
|Sep high C = 30.3
|Oct high C = 30.0
|Nov high C = 29.8
|Dec high C = 28.9
| year high C =
|Jan mean C = 23.6
|Feb mean C = 25.3
|Mar mean C = 27.0
|Apr mean C = 27.5
|May mean C = 27.5
|Jun mean C = 27.5
|Jul mean C = 26.9
|Aug mean C = 26.5
|Sep mean C = 25.7
|Oct mean C = 25.3
|Nov mean C = 24.7
|Dec mean C = 23.2
| year mean C =
|Jan low C = 18.0
|Feb low C = 19.6
|Mar low C = 21.5
|Apr low C = 22.8
|May low C = 23.7
|Jun low C = 24.0
|Jul low C = 23.8
|Aug low C = 23.4
|Sep low C = 22.7
|Oct low C = 22.0
|Nov low C = 20.7
|Dec low C = 18.5
| year low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 16.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 29.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 71.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 115.2
|May precipitation mm = 169.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 95.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 109.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 141.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 252.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 142.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 29.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 14.8
|year precipitation mm =
| unit precipitation days =
| Jan precipitation days = 2.5
| Feb precipitation days = 3.9
| Mar precipitation days = 8.0
| Apr precipitation days = 12.2
| May precipitation days = 15.7
| Jun precipitation days = 14.2
| Jul precipitation days = 16.0
| Aug precipitation days = 17.3
| Sep precipitation days = 20.1
| Oct precipitation days = 13.4
| Nov precipitation days = 5.0
| Dec precipitation days =1.5
| year precipitation days =
| Jan humidity = 64
| Feb humidity = 64
| Mar humidity = 68
| Apr humidity = 72
| May humidity = 76
| Jun humidity = 75
| Jul humidity = 76
| Aug humidity = 79
| Sep humidity = 84
| Oct humidity = 82
| Nov humidity = 73
| Dec humidity = 67
| year humidity =
|source 1 = Soil Resources Survey and Research Division<ref name=ldd>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240603054715/https://webapp.ldd.go.th/lpd/node_modules/img/Landusedistrict/2567/sri_01.pdf
| archive-date = 3 June 2024
| url = https://webapp.ldd.go.th/lpd/node_modules/img/Landusedistrict/2567/sri_01.pdf
| title = แผนการใช้ที่ดินตำบลตาลเดี่ยว อำเภอแก่งคอย จังหวัดสระบุรี
| publisher = Land Development Department
| access-date = 3 June 2024}}</ref>
}}
==<span class="anchor" id="Khao Yai"></span>Economy==
The majority of the population of Pak Chong district as well as Pak Chong town are employed in agriculture, with maize being the main produce, followed by cassava. Cattle rearing forms an important industry in the district, which is one of the country's top dairy producers, along with neighbouring Muak Lek. Several factories in diverse industries including sack-weaving, electronics, rock-crushing and livestock feed production serve as a major source of employment.<ref>{{cite web |title=3.10 อําเภอปากช่อง |url=http://www.koratcf.or.th/pdf/distircts/26.%20%E0%B8%AD.%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%8A%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%20p%20383-409.pdf |publisher=Local Information Center for Development Nakorn Ratchasima Province |access-date=8 February 2022 |pages=384, 395–398 |language=th}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis|last1=Khemkaew |first1=Suchittra |title=Development guidelines for Pak Chong urban community, Nakhon Ratchasima province |type=master's thesis |isbn=974-13-0273-8 |url=http://cuir.car.chula.ac.th/handle/123456789/71305 |publisher=Chulalongkorn University |pages=39–40 |language=th |date=2000}}</ref>
Tourism is also a large contributor to the economy, with tourists coming to visit [[Khao Yai National Park]] as well as other attractions in the wider [[Khao Yai area]] to the south of the district. Agritourism draws visitors to major farms and vineyards, Khao Yai being one of Thailand's two [[Thai wine|wine-producing]] regions along with [[Hua Hin]]. Numerous resorts, golf clubs, cafés, art galleries and shopping centres are scattered throughout the area, many of which feature novelty European-themed architectural styles and cater to domestic tourists, mainly the Bangkok middle-class.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Poomsawai |first1=Chanun |title=A little bit of europe in isan |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/327548/a-little-bit-of-europe-in-isan |access-date=12 May 2021 |work=Bangkok Post |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> Development of holiday properties is a major driver of real estate development in the Khao Yai area.<ref>{{cite web |title=รู้จักโคราชแบบเจาะลึก |url=https://www.ddproperty.com/areainsider/%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A/article/%25e0%25b8%25a3%25e0%25b8%25b9%25e0%25b9%2589%25e0%25b8%2588%25e0%25b8%25b1%25e0%25b8%2581%25e0%25b9%2582%25e0%25b8%2584%25e0%25b8%25a3%25e0%25b8%25b2%25e0%25b8%258a%25e0%25b9%2581%25e0%25b8%259a%25e0%25b8%259a%25e0%25b9%2580%25e0%25b8%2588%25e0%25b8%25b2%25e0%25b8%25b0%25e0%25b8%25a5%25e0%25b8%25b6%25e0%25b8%2581-10133 |website=DDproperty |publisher=All Property Media |access-date=8 February 2022 |language=th |date=4 July 2020}}</ref>
The [[Royal Thai Army]]'s special combat training camp is in Nong Taku, Khanong Phra subdistrict. It trains five classes of 300 soldiers each per year in the 56-day training course.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nanuam |first1=Wassana |title=New army school offers intensive combat courses |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1837374/new-army-school-offers-intensive-combat-courses |accessdate=17 January 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=17 January 2020}}</ref>
==Transport==
[[File:Pak Chong Railway Station.JPG|thumbnail|[[Pak Chong railway station]]]]
[[Mittraphap Road]], designated National Highway 2, is the primary highway that carries traffic between Bangkok and the entire Isan region. It links Pak Chong westward to Muak Lek and northeastward to Sikhio. While the original route passed through the town of Pak Chong and continues to serve as its main thoroughfare, the main highway now bypasses the town to the south. The under-construction [[Motorway 6 (Thailand)|Motorway 6]], which is scheduled to open in 2022, will feature an access ramp for Pak Chong and Khao Yai on Thanarat Road (Highway 2090), the main access road linking the town to the national park's main northern entrance.
The [[State Railway of Thailand]]'s [[Northeastern Line (Thailand)|Northeastern Line]] passes through the district with stations at Klang Dong, Pang Asok, Bandai Ma, Pak Chong, Sap Muang, Chanthuek and Khlong Khanan Chit, [[Pak Chong railway station]] being the only class 1 station. As of 2022, the railway is being upgraded to [[double-track railway|double-track]], along with construction of the [[Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway]], which will have a station at Pak Chong.
Some long-distance trains from Bangkok to Udon Thani or Nong Khai and all trains to Ubon Ratchathani stop at Pak Chong,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railway.co.th/home/images/content/home/srt/timetable/download/th/54-NorthEastgo.pdf|publisher=State Railway of Thailand|title=NE Outward Train time table}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railway.co.th/home/images/content/home/srt/timetable/download/th/20110725-northeastline-return.pdf|publisher=State Railway of Thailand|title=NE Return Train time table}}</ref> as well as the local trains connecting [[Kaeng Khoi Junction]] with [[Nakhon Ratchasima|Nakhon Ratchasima railway station]] and beyond.
== Administration ==
=== Central administration ===
Pak Chong is divided into 12 sub-districts (''[[tambon]]s''), which are further subdivided into 219 administrative villages (''[[muban]]s'').
Line 78 ⟶ 186:
||{{0}}2.||Klang Dong||{{lang|th|กลางดง}}||15||13,034
|-
||{{0}}3.||Chanthuek||{{lang|th|จันทึก}}<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=56|issue=
|-
||{{0}}4.||Wang Katha||{{lang|th|วังกะทะ}}||24||{{0}}9,580
|-
||{{0}}5.||[[Mu Si]]||{{lang|th|หมูสี}}||19||12,759
|-
||{{0}}6.||Nong Sarai||{{lang|th|หนองสาหร่าย}}||25||39,074
Line 94 ⟶ 202:
||10.||Nong Nam Daeng||{{lang|th|หนองน้ำแดง}}||11||10,010
|-
||11.||[[Wang Sai]]||{{lang|th|วังไทร}}||18||11,435
|-
||12.||Phaya Yen||{{lang|th|พญาเย็น}}||14||{{0}}7,867
Line 106 ⟶ 214:
* Klang Dong (Thai: {{lang|th|เทศบาลตำบลกลางดง}}) consisting of parts of sub-districts Klang Dong and Phaya Yen.
* [[Wang Sai]] (Thai: {{lang|th|เทศบาลตำบลวังไทร}}) consisting of sub-district Wang Sai.
* [[Mu Si]] (Thai: {{lang|th|เทศบาลตำบลหมูสี}}) consisting of sub-district Mu Si.
* Sima Mongkhon (Thai: {{lang|th|เทศบาลตำบลสีมามงคล}}) consisting of parts of sub-district Klang Dong.
Line 121 ⟶ 229:
==References==
{{Commons category|Pak Chong District}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Amphoe Nakhon Ratchasima}}
{{Authority control}}
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