Dok Khamtai is a district (amphoe) of Phayao province in northern Thailand.

History

Originally created in 1832, the district was abolished on 23 December 1917 and incorporated into Mueang Phayao district. It was recreated as a minor district (king amphoe) on 23 January 1963. It was again upgraded to a full district on 27 July 1965.

Etymology

Dok Khamtai is the Thai name of the sponge tree (Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.).

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise): Pa Daet of Chiang Rai province; Chun, Pong, and Chiang Muan of Phayao Province; Song of Phrae province; Ngao of Lampang province; and Mueang Phayao and Phu Kamyao of Phayao. The main water course is the Ing River. Doi Phu Nang National Park is in the district.

Economy

The district is "...famous in Thailand for the numbers of sex workers it exports and there is even a popular song titled 'plaeng saaw dok kham tai' ('song of the young women from Dok Khamtai') about girls from this district coming to Bangkok." The district is also mentioned prominently in Pasuk Phongpaichit's 1982 study, From Peasant Girls to Bangkok Masseuses.

Administration

The district is divided into 12 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 124 villages (mubans). There are two townships (thesaban tambons). Dok Khamtai covers parts of tambons Dok Khamtai, Don Si Chum, Sawang Arom, and tambon Bun Koet. Ban Tham covers tambon Ban Tham. There are a further nine tambon administrative organizations (TAO).