Ban Ko, Samut Sakhon

Ban Ko (บ้านเกาะ, ) is a tambon (subdistrict) of Mueang Samut Sakhon district, Samut Sakhon province, Thailand.

History
Originally, Ban Ko was a muban (village) in Tha Sai subdistrict. In the era of second local headman proposed a separation to set up a new subdistrict. In 1925, the government announced the establishment of the areas of Ban Ko, Bang Pla, and Om Rong Kip together to form a subdistrict for the first time, called "Ko Ari" (เกาะอารีย์, ) in the year 1938.

Later, the name was changed to "Ban Ko" according to its topography.

Geography
Ban Ko is the northwest part of Mueang Samut Sakhon, a capital district of Samut Sakhon. It has an area of about 27,837 km2 or about 17,395 rai.

Adjoining subdistricts include (from north clockwise): Amphaeng in Ban Phaeo district and Tha Sao with Don Kai Di in Krathum Baen district, Tha Sai and Na Di with Bang Krachao as well as Chai Mongkhon in its district, respectively.

The name Ban Ko literally translated as "island hamlet", due to the condition of its area surrounded by waterways. Hence the name. In addition, it is also known as Ko Samut (เกาะสมุทร,, lit "ocean island").

With the topography of Mueang Samut Sakhon close to the mouth of the Bangkok Bay (upper Gulf of Thailand). Therefore, Ban Ko has both mangrove forests and nipa palm forests.

Environment
At present, Ban Ko's nipa palm forest is the last remaining. It is like a green space surrounded by highways and houses with factories. The forest is also habitat to Betta mahachaiensis, a bubble-nesting fighting fish endemic to Samut Sakhon and its vicinity (Bang Khun Thian, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram). The male fish nests in a shallow puddle beneath the nipa palm tree.

Khlong Khru, a local main khlong (canal), used to be an old course of the Tha Chin river. In the King Rama V's reign, the Tha Chin river was excavated. As a result, this phase of the river became shallow and eventually reduced in size to become a canal.

Central administration
Ban Ko is administered by two government bodies, Ban Ko Subdistrict Administrative Organization and Bang Pla Subdistrict Municipality.

Local administration
It was further divided into 8 administrative villages.

Population
As of December 2022, it has a total population of 18,516.