Nong Khaem District


Nong Khaem District is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by other Bangkok districts : Thawi Watthana, Bang Khae, Bang Bon of Bangkok, Krathum Baen of Samut Sakhon Province, Sam Phran and Phutthamonthon of Nakhon Pathom Province.

History

The name of the district comes from nong which means 'wetland' and khaem which means 'reed', a reedy plant, reflecting its environment in the past. It was set up as Amphoe Nong Khaem in 1902. In 1938 it became a king amphoe of Phasi Charoen for about 20 years before it was elevated to district status again. It became a khet in 1972 after Bangkok administrative reform. In 1998, the eastern part of Nong Khaem was made part of the newly established district of Khet Bang Khae.
Nong Khaem is known for its abundant plantings of canna in the centre median strip of Phet Kasem Road. The flowers stretch along nearly five kilometres of roadway. They were planted in 1977 and have since become a district landmark.
The old building of Nong Khaem Police Station more than 100 years old, located on the Khlong Phasi Charoen canal. Now it has been renovated into a museum and a learning centre for local culture.

Administration

The district is divided into two sub-districts.

Economy

In 1973 Thai President Foods started production of MAMA brand instant noodles in a factory in Nong Khang Phlu. In 1986 the factory was moved to a larger site in Si Racha.
Nong Khaem is the original location of Channel 3, before moving to the current Khlong Toei District in 1999.
Nong Khaem is one of Bangkok's three main solid waste disposal centres. It handles 3,500 tonnes of waste a day from all 16 districts on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. Two other Bangkok Metropolitan Administration disposal centres are on the east side of the river, in Prawet and Sai Mai Districts. The Nong Khaem centre has an annual operating budget of two billion baht.

Places