Phra Pradaeng District


Phra Pradaeng is a district of Samut Prakan Province in Thailand.

Geography

Neighboring districts are Thung Khru District, Rat Burana District, Yan Nawa District, Khlong Toei District, Phra Khanong District and Bang Na District, and the districts Mueang Samut Prakan, and Phra Samut Chedi of Samut Prakan. The district is on a bend of the Chao Phraya River.

History

Phra Pradeang was the original center of the area south of Bangkok near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. Originally named Nakhon Khuan Khan, it was settled by Mon people. In 1815, King Rama II built the Pom Phlaeng Faifa Fort at the river's bend. The fort is now a small park and is accessible to visitors.
In 1819, the new town Mueang Samut Prakan was established. Due to economic problems in the early-1930s, several administrative entities were abolished, including Phra Phradaeng Province, which had its districts assigned to Samut Prakan and Thonburi effective 1 April 1932.
A two kilometre tramway across the neck of the Phra Pradaeng river bend opened in 1908 and closed c. 1940. Operated by a private company, the motorised trams connected with motorboat services to Bangkok and to Paknam at each end of the line. The tram cut a considerable time off the up and downriver journey by avoiding the long river bend.

Administration

The district is divided into 15 sub-districts, which are further subdivided into 67 villages. The town Phra Pradaeng covers the tambon Talad, the town Lat Luang, the tambon Bang Phueng, Bang Chak, and Bang Kharu. The township Samrong Thai administers tambons Samrong Tai, Samrong, Samron Klang, Bang Hua Suea, and Bang Ya Phraek. There are six tambon administrative organizations for the tambon not covered by the municipalities.

Attractions