Pak Tho is a district in the southern part of Ratchaburi Province, western Thailand. Pak Tho means 'mouth of a water pipe'. It originates from the fact that the area named Nong Thale is rather low and thus during raining season was usually flooded. At the only outlet of this area the water current was strong like a water pipe.
History
Around 1900, the government separated part of Mueang Ratchaburi District and created a new district named Tha Nat Wat Pradu. The district office was in front of Wat Pradu at the Khlong Wat Pradu in tambon Chom Prathat, today in Wat Phleng District. Tambon Pak Tho was included in this district. As it was also near the Om River, the district was also known as Maenam Om. Later the district office was found to be inconveniently located. During the dry season the water level in the canal was too low and there was no road connection. In 1914 it was moved to a new location in tambon Pak Tho, near a railway station. The area around the old district office became the minor district Wat Phleng. On 10 April 1991, the district was visited by Crown PrinceMaha Vajiralongkorn. He was presented a petition by locals asking for help with local water resources, specifically the lack of water for farming. The crown prince passed along the need to the Royal Irrigation Department and other agencies. the district has five working reservoirs, a sixth in the planning stage, and Vajiralongkorn has ascended to the throne of Thailand.
The district is divided into 12 sub-districts, which are further subdivided into 88 villages. Pak Tho is a sub-district municipality which covers parts of tambon Pak Tho. There are a further 11 tambon administrative organizations.
Economy
The district is now farmed intensively year-round due to the water provided by the five reservoirs built since 1991. They are:
Phu Krut: Built before 1995. Earthen reservoir with a capacity of 585,280 m3 supplying 1,600 rai of farmland and 320 homes.
Huay Phu Krut: Built before 1995. Capacity, 270,750 m3; supplies 130 households.
Khao Hua Daeng: Built in 1997, its capacity is 612,000 m3 irrigating 1,000 rai, and supplying 308 households.
Ban Thai Prachan: Built 1979. Capacity of 600,000 m3 watering 1,300 rai and supplying 150 households.
Hin Si Ton Bon: Built 1979. Stores one million m3 supplying 1,700 rai and 200 households with water.
Ban Prong Phrom: To be built in 2022, it will store up to 200,000 m3 of water.
