Kantharalak is a district (amphoe) in the southeastern part of Sisaket province, northeastern Thailand.

History

The old name of Kantharalak was Mueang Uthumphon Phisai, controlled by Mueang Khukhan. The central office was in Ban Kan Tuat, Tambon Uthumphon Phisai (not to be confused with latter-day Uthumphon Phisai district.) The present district office is in Tambon Nam Om. In 1939 the district name was changed from Nam Om to Kantharalak.

Etymology

The name Kantharalak means 'countless ravines', from Pali kandara ('ravine') and the Sanskrit lakṣa (लक्ष), 'a hundred thousand'.

Geography

The district is defined in the south by the Dangrek Range. Neighboring districts are (from the west clockwise): Khun Han, Si Rattana, and Benchalak of Sisaket Province; Thung Si Udom and Nam Khun of Ubon Ratchathani province; Preah Vihear and Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia. The Khao Phra Wihan National Park office is in the district, while the main attraction of the park, the Khmer ruins of Prasat Preah Vihear, is across the border in Cambodia.

Administration

Central administration

The district is divided into 20 subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 279 administrative villages (mubans). Missing numbers belong to tambon which now form Benchalak district.

Local administration

There is one town (thesaban mueang) in the district: There are two sub-district municipalities (thesaban tambon) in the district: There are 18 subdistrict administrative organizations (SAO) in the district: