Ongkharak (, ) is a district (amphoe) in the western part of Nakhon Nayok province, central Thailand.
Once King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited Mueang Nakhon Nayok. When he and his company arrived in the area of Ongkharak District, one of the royal guard fell ill and died. The king ordered a shrine built to commemorate his servant. Ongkharak means 'royal guard'.
History The old district office of Ongkharak was in Tambon Bang O (now in Ban Na district). In 1889 King Chulalongkorn ordered the construction of the Rangsit Canal, a canal that links the Chao Phraya and Nakhon Nayok Rivers. The water gate in the Chao Phraya River was named Chulalongkorn Water Gate (ประตูน้ำจุฬาลงกรณ์), and its corresponding gate in the Nakhon Nayok River was named Saovabha Bhongsi Water Gate (ประตูน้ำเสาวภาผ่องศรี). The district office was moved near the 16th Khlong of Khlong Rangsit. Twenty years later, the office moved to a place next to the Saovabha Bhongsi Water Gate. Now the district office is behind Saovabha Market, 500 m from the old office. Originally, Ongkharak district was divided into seven subdistricts (tambons). In 1968, Pho Thaen (no.4) was separated from Bang Pla Kot (no.7). In 1969, Bang Sombun (no.5) was separated from Bang Luk Suea (no.8). In 1984, Chumphon (no.10) was separated from Bueng San (no.2). In 1990, Khlong Yai (no.11) was separated from Ongkharak (no.9).
Geography Neighboring districts are (from the northeast clockwise): Ban Na and Mueang Nakhon Nayok of Nakhon Nayok Province; Ban Sang of Prachinburi province; Bang Nam Priao of Chachoengsao province; Lam Luk Ka, Thanyaburi, and Nong Suea of Pathum Thani province.
The important water resources are the Nakhon Nayok River and Khlong Rangsit.
Religion There are thirty-three Theravada Buddhist temples in the district. One in Bueng San, Chumphon, Khlong Yai, Pho Thaen and Phra Achan, three in Ongkharak and Sai Mun, five in Bang Luk Suae and Bang Pla Kot, six in Bang Sombun and Sisa Krabue. In Phra Achan and Chumphon subdistricts have Muslims their eleven mosques.
Administration Central government The district is divided into eleven subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 116 villages (mubans).
No. Subdistricts Thai Villages Pop. 1. Phra Achan พระอาจารย์ 13 6,571 2. Bueng San บึงศาล 9 6,231 3. Sisa Krabue ศีรษะกระบือ 13 7,045 4.Pho Thaen โพธิ์แทน 9 4,606 5. Bang Sombun บางสมบูรณ์ 13 3,933 6. Sai Mun ทรายมูล 11 5,779 7. Bang Pla Kot บางปลากด 11 8,065 8. Bang Luk Suea บางลูกเสือ 12 3,601 9. Ongkharak องครักษ์ 7 7,135 10. Chumphon ชุมพล 8 5,981 11. Khlong Yai คลองใหญ่ 10 6,441 Total 116 62,823
Local government As of December 2023 there is : Ongkharak subd. municipality (thesaban tambon) and covers parts of Ongkharak and Sai Mun subdistricts. There are further eleven subdistricts administrative organizations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon - o bo toh). Ongkharaksubd. municipality Pop. website Ongkharak 2,160 Sai Mun 405 Total 2,565 Subdistrictadm.org.-SAO Pop. website Bang Pla Kot 8,065 Sisa Krabue 7,045 Phra Achan 6,571 Bueng San 6,231 Khlong Yai 6,441 Chumphon 5,981 Sai Mun 5,374 Ongkharak 4,975 Pho Thaen 4,606 Bang Sombun 3,933 Bang Luk Suea 3,601
Education Higher education Srinakharinwirot University's, Ongkharak campus is in the district. St.Theresa International University.
Primary/secondary education There are 36 primary and 2 secondary schools in the district.
Healthcare Government hospitals There are two hospitals in Ongkharak district. Ongkharak hospital with 31 beds. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center with 500 beds is the teaching hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Srinakharinwirot University.
Health-promoting hospitals There are total 15 health-promoting hospitals in the districts, of which; one in Bueng San, Pho Thaen, Bang Pla Kot, Bang Luk Suea and Chumphon and two in Phra Achan, Sisa Krabue, Bang Sombun, Sai Mun and Khlong Yai.
References