Phimai District

Phimai พิมาย
Amphoe
Amphoe location in Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Coordinates: 15°13′14″N 102°29′9″E / 15.22056°N 102.48583°E / 15.22056; 102.48583Coordinates: 15°13′14″N 102°29′9″E / 15.22056°N 102.48583°E / 15.22056; 102.48583
Country	Thailand
Province	Nakhon Ratchasima
Seat	Nai Mueang
Area
• Total	896.9 km2 (346.3 sq mi)
Population (2000)
• Total	130,296
• Density	145.3/km2 (376/sq mi)
Time zone	THA (UTC+7)
Postal code	30110
Geocode	3015

Phimai (Thai: พิมาย) is a district (amphoe) in the northeastern part of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.

History

Prasat Hin Phimai

Korat Cat

Phimai was an ancient Khmer city named Vimai or Vimayapura. A stone pillar dating to the reign of King Suryavarman I was found, naming the city Bhirapura meaning strong city. Phimai was the important city ever since, both during Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin times.

Mueang Phimai district was officially established in 1900. Khun Khachit Sarakam (ขุนขจิตสารกรรม) was the first governor.

Queen Mother Sriphatcharindra (Saovabha) visited Prasat Phimai and Sai Ngam (Ficus forest) in 1911. The government officers and people renovated the city for the royal visit, and named six roads to commemorate the event.

In 1940 the government renamed the district by cutting the word Mueang off.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 12 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 208 villages (muban). There are two subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon) - Phimai covering parts of tambon Nai Mueang. and Rang Ka Yai the whole part of tambon Rang Ka Yai. There are further 12 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

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