Hang Dong district

Hang Dong (หางดง, ) is a district (amphoe) of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand.

Geography
Neighboring districts are (from the southwest clockwise) San Pa Tong, Mae Wang, Samoeng, Mae Rim, Mueang Chiang Mai, Saraphi of Chiang Mai Province, and Mueang Lamphun of Lamphun province.

The village Ban Tawai (บ้านถวาย) in Khun Khong sub-district is known for its handicraft center, as wood carving has been a local speciality since the 1960s.

History
Before 1917, the district was named Mae Tha Chang (แม่ท่าช้าง). 1938 the district was downgraded to a minor district (king amphoe) and made subordinate to Mueang Chiang Mai District. In 1947 it was elevated to full district status again.

Historically, Hang Dong is considered the first place in Thailand where longan was grown. By the Chinese who brought it to the Princess Dara Rasmi, consort of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Nowadays, it is considered an industrial drop in the northern Thailand.

Central administration
Hang Dong is divided into 11 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 109 administrative villages (muban).

Local administration
There are 10 sub-district municipalities (thesaban tambons) in the district:
 * Nong Tong Phatthana (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลหนองตองพัฒนา) consisting of sub-district Nong Tong.
 * Hang Dong (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลหางดง) consisting of parts of sub-district Hang Dong.
 * Mae Tha Chang (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลแม่ท่าช้าง) consisting of parts of sub-district Hang Dong.
 * Nong Kaeo (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลหนองแก๋ว) consisting of sub-district Nong Kaeo.
 * Han Kaeo (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลหารแก้ว) consisting of sub-district Han Kaeo.
 * Ban Waen (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลบ้านแหวน) consisting of sub-district Ban Waen.
 * San Phak Wan (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลสันผักหวาน) consisting of sub-district San Phak Wan.
 * Nong Khwai (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลหนองควาย) consisting of sub-district Nong Khwai.
 * Ban Pong (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลบ้านปง) consisting of sub-district Ban Pong.
 * Nam Phrae Phatthana (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลน้ำแพร่พัฒนา) consisting of sub-district Nam Phrae.

There are two sub-district administrative organizations (SAO) in the district:
 * Khun Khong (Thai: องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบลขุนคง) consisting of sub-district Khun Khong.
 * Sop Mae Kha (Thai: องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบลสบแม่ข่า) consisting of sub-district Sop Mae Kha.

Economy
Hang Dong can be regarded as the outskirts Chiang Mai. Currently, the paddy fields and orchards have been replaced by housing estates, with investors from outside the locality to invest. But at the same time, the traditional way of life of some locals still exists.