Tha Uthen is a district (amphoe) of Nakhon Phanom province, northeastern Thailand.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) Mueang Nakhon Phanom, Phon Sawan, Si Songkhram, and Ban Phaeng of Nakhon Phanom Province. To the east across the Mekong river is the Laotian province Khammouan.

History

The original location of Muang Tha Uthen was at present-day tambon Chaiburi, then named Chai Rit Uttaburi (ไชยฤทธิ์อุตตบุรี). It was founded in 1808 by the Tai Nyo leader Thao Mo and his wife, Sunantha, who moved people from Muang Hongsavadi of present-day Laos. Thao Mo was then awarded with the title Phraya Hongsawadi. In 1814 the temple (Wat) Sri Sunanthamaharam was built, which later was called Wat Traiphum. In 1833, Phraya Maha Ammat, a military leader moved people from the current Lao side of Mekong River and settled them on the current Thai side of the river. Thao Prathum was the first leader of Tha Uthen city and received the title Phra Sri Worasan. After Phra Sri Worasan died in 1866, Phra Chamroenpholrop was promoted to be the leader of the city. In 1870 King Mongkut assigned his son, Phra Sri Worarat, to be the leader of Tha Uthen. He died in 1899. Later the Ministry of Interior decided that the city should no longer have a royal family member as its leader, but be led by an assigned governor. In 1907 the muang was converted into a district. Chanthima Pholdecha became the first district officer.

Administration

Central administration

Tha Uthen is divided into nine sub-districts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 111 administrative villages (Muban). Missing numbers are tambon which now form Phon Sawan district.

Local administration

There are two sub-district municipalities (thesaban tambon) in the district: There are seven subdistrict administrative organizations (SAO) in the district: