Tao Ngoi District

Tao Ngoi (Thai: เต่างอย, pronounced [tàw ŋɔ̄ːj]) is a district (amphoe) of Sakon Nakhon Province, northeast Thailand.

Tao Ngoi เต่างอย
District
District location in Sakon Nakhon Province
Coordinates: 16°59′48″N 104°10′3″E
Country	Thailand
Province	Sakon Nakhon
Seat	Tao Ngoi
Area
• Total	328.0 km^2 (126.6 sq mi)
Population  (2005)
• Total	23,043
• Density	159.0/km^2 (412/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code	47260
Geocode	4714

History

The minor district (king amphoe) was created on 1 September 1978, when the two tambons, Tao Ngoi and Bueng Thawai, were split off from Mueang Sakon Nakhon District.[1] It was upgraded to a full district on 19 July 1991.[2]

The district's name in the Isan language means 'floating turtle'. It is said that 400 years ago, the Thai people and Lao people were at war. When the Lao were defeated, they migrated south to the Pung River. Turtles, a symbol of fertility, were abundant there. Thus the settlement was named for their presence. A giant turtle statue named Phaya Tao Ngoi (พญาเต่างอย; lit: 'turtle lord') was erected in the park behind the district office. In 2017, the popular female luk thung singer Jintara Poonlarp released the song, "Tao Ngoi", bringing increased publicity to the story and the district.[3]

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the west clockwise) Phu Phan, Mueang Sakon Nakhon and Khok Si Suphan of Sakon Nakhon Province, Na Kae of Nakhon Phanom Province, Dong Luang of Mukdahan Province, and Na Khu of Kalasin Province.

Administration

The district is divided into four sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 32 villages (mubans). There are no municipal (thesaban) areas, and a further four tambon administrative organizations.

No.	Name	Thai name	Villages	Pop.
1.	Tao Ngoi	เต่างอย	7	5,619
2.	Bueng Thawai	บึงทวาย	10	5,131
3.	Na Tan	นาตาล	7	5,363
4.	Chan Phen	จันทร์เพ็ญ	8	6,930

Economy

Tao Ngoi is the center of tomato production and processing in Thailand. A "tomato belt" of some 30,000 rai are planted in the area. In 1982, the Doi Kham Food Products Co. built a food processing factory in the district. The factory buys 18,000-25,000 tonnes of tomatoes from farmers each year. The Tao Ngoi plant generated revenues of 150 million baht in 2017. Revenue is expected to grow to 200 million baht in 2018.[4]

References

1. ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง แบ่งท้องที่อำเภอเมืองสกลนคร จังหวัดสกลนคร ตั้งเป็นกิ่งอำเภอเต่างอย (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 95 (89 ง): 2829. August 29, 1978.
2. พระราชกฤษฎีกาตั้งอำเภอทุ่งตะโก อำเภอพะโต๊ะ อำเภอเขาค้อ อำเภอน้ำหนาว อำเภอวังจันทร์ อำเภอนาด้วง อำเภอเต่างอย อำเภอสิงหนคร อำเภอพระสมุทรเจดีย์ และอำเภอลำดวน พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๔ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 108 (107 ก Special): 29–33. June 19, 1991.
3. P., Peeranut (2018-01-16). "เปิดตำนานพญาเต่างอย! ที่เที่ยวศักดิ์สิทธิ์ให้โชคแก่ผู้ศรัทธา". Sanook.com (in Thai).
4. Theparat, Chatrudee (22 January 2018). "Tomato belt continues to thrive". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 22 January 2018.

External links

• amphoe.com (Thai)