Phaya Mengrai district
Phaya Mengrai (Thai: พญาเม็งราย, pronounced [pʰā.jāː mēŋ.rāːj]; Northern Thai: พญามังฮาย, pronounced [pʰā.ɲāː māŋ.hāːj]) is a district (amphoe) of Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. GeographyNeighboring districts are (from the west clockwise): Wiang Chai, Wiang Chiang Rung, Chiang Khong, Khun Tan and Thoeng of Chiang Rai Province. HistoryThe minor district (king amphoe) was created on 5 May 1981, when the three tambons Mae Pao, Mae Tam, and Mai Ya were split off from Thoeng district.[1] It was upgraded to a full district on 12 August 1987.[2] EtymologyThe district is named after King Mengrai, the founder of the Lanna kingdom of northern Thailand. EconomyTambon Phay Mengrai is the site of a 2,700 rai Cavindish banana plantation owned and operated by the Chinese firm, Hongta International, a major local employer. The Cavendish banana is controversial as its cultivation requires the intensive use of chemical pesticides to yield harvests for export.[3] The Mekong-Lanna nature conservation network has accused the Chinese plantation of heavy use of pesticides and excessive water takings from Mae Ing Creek. These charges are as yet unsubstantiated (2016).[4] AdministrationThe district is divided into five sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 69 villages (mubans). Phaya Mengrai is a township (thesaban tambon) which covers parts of tambons Mengrai and Mae Pao. There are a further five tambon administrative organizations (TAO).
References
External links
|