Pak Chong

Pak Chong ปากช่อง
Amphoe
District : Pak chong City
Map of Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Coordinates: 14°42′45″N 101°25′19″E / 14.71250°N 101.42194°E / 14.71250; 101.42194Coordinates: 14°42′45″N 101°25′19″E / 14.71250°N 101.42194°E / 14.71250; 101.42194
Country	Thailand
Province	Nakhon Ratchasima
Seat	Pak Chong
Area
• Total	1,825.2 km2 (704.7 sq mi)
Population (2015)
• Total	193,197
• Density	100.0/km2 (259/sq mi)
Time zone	ICT (UTC+7)
Postal code	30130, 30320
Geocode	3021

Pak Chong (Thai: ปากช่อง, pronounced [pàːk t͡ɕʰɔ̂ŋ]) is the westernmost district (amphoe) of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.

In the past this area was a part of Tambon Khanong Phra, Chan Thuek District (which is now Sikhio District).

In 1949 Ban Pak Chong was upgraded to Tambon Pak Chong. It was upgraded to a minor district (king amphoe) effective 1 January 1957, consisting of the four sub-districts Pak Chong, Chanthuek, Klong Dan, and Mu Si. It was upgraded to a full district in July 1958.

In the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) during the construction of the northeastern railway through the area, the Nok Yung and Noi mountains were blasted through to make a cut (chong in Thai) for the railway. The people named the village Pak Chong, meaning "mouth of the channel".

Pak Chong is the biggest district of Nakhon Ratchasima by area. Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Sikhio, Wang Nam Khiao of Nakhon Ratchasima, Mueang Nakhon Nayok of Nakhon Nayok Province, Prachantakham of Prachinburi Province, and Muak Lek of Saraburi Province.

The district is the gateway to the northeast (Isan) of Thailand from the central region, as the main pass through the Sankamphaeng Range mountainous area is in the southern section of the district. The southern parts of the district are part of Thailand's first and largest national park, Khao Yai. Within the park is the origin of the Takhong River, a tributary of the Mun River. The Takhong is the main water resource of Nakhon Ratchasima city.