Tha Thong, Phitsanulok

Tha Thong (ท่าทอง) is a subdistrict in the Mueang Phitsanulok District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. In this subdistrict is Lotus's Phitsanulok 2 shopping center.

Geography
The topography of Tha Thong subdistrict is fertile lowlands. The subdistrict is bordered to the north by Ban Krang subdistrict, to the east by Wat Chan, Nai Mueang and Bueng Phra subdistricts, to the south by Tha Pho subdistrict and to the west by Bang Rakam district. Tha Thong subdistrict lies in the Nan Basin, which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. The Nan river flows through the subdistrict. An irrigation canal (Huai Nong Khlong Bueng) flows from Chom Thong subdistrict, through Phlai Chumphon and Wat Chan subdistricts to Tha Thong subdistrict and is an important water source for agricultural consumption and also a raw water source to produce village water supply. The area to the west of this irrigation canal is for agriculture and the area to the east of this irrigation canal is for urbanization.

History
Ban Wat Chulamani was historically a thriving commercial Nan River port used to transport crops to Bangkok in exchange for currency and gold. King Borommatrailokkanat (1448-1488), accompanied by more than 2,000 followers, was ordained as a monk at Wat Chulamani in 1461. On 30 March 1996 Tha Thong Subdistrict Administrative Organization-SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon) was established. Upgrade to subdistrict municipality (thesaban tambon) was on 24 August 2012.

Administration
The administration of Tha Thong subdistrict is responsible for an area that covers 14,810 rai ~ 23.7 sqkm and consists of eleven administrative villages, as of 2022: 14,270 people and 6,519 households.

Local government
Tha Thong Subdistrict Municipality (เทศบาลตำบลท่าทอง) covers the whole Tha Thong subdistrict.

Temples
Tha Thong subdistrict is home to the following active temples, where Theravada Buddhism is practiced by local residents.

Education
The following elementary/secondary schools are located in Tha Thong.

Primary/secondary education

 * Wat Chulamani school - Moo2
 * Tha Thong Pittayakhom school - Moo4
 * Wat Si Rattanaram school - Moo4
 * Wat Sawang Arom school - Moo6
 * Phitsanulok Pittayakhom school - Moo8
 * Ban Nong Hua Yang school - Moo9

Child development center

 * Tha Thong municipality child development center - Moo6

Healthcare
There is Tha Thong health-promoting hospital in Moo5.

Transportation
The subdistrict is the hub of highways 117 (Phitsanulok - Nakhon Sawan route), 126 (Phitsanulok bypass road) and national roads 1063 (to Bang Krathum district), 1065 (to Bang Rakam district).

Electricity
All households in Tha Thong subdistrict municipality have access to the electricity grid of Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA).

Communications
All households in Tha Thong subdistrict municipality have access to the fixed and mobile telephone network. There is one postoffice in Lotus's Extra - Moo6.

Waterworks
6,200 households, out of a total of 6,519 households, have access to the water network of Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA). All households have access to the village water supply system in every village.

Economy
Residential use of the subdistrict, approximately 60%, is mainly on both sides of the Nan River. Agriculture occupies 35%, of which rice, vegetables, fruit crops and fish farming. Other areas count for 5%.

Government institutions
The following government institutions are mainly situated along highway 117.
 * Protected Areas Regional Office 11 - PARO 11 (Phitsanulok) - Moo8
 * Tha Thong subdistrict municipality - Moo6
 * TMD weather station Chulamani - Phitsanulok - Moo2
 * Office of Phitsanulok Province Election Commission - Moo10
 * Phitsanulok Administrative Court - Moo8
 * Phitsanulok Provincial Cooperative - Moo8
 * Regional Irrigation Office 3 - Moo8
 * Regional Livestock Office 6 - Moo8
 * Yom Nan Operation and Maintenance Project - Moo8

Attraction

 * Wat Chulamani is known for its corncob-shaped tower or prang and its unique, ornate and elaborate plaster designs. It is also the oldest standing temple in Phitsanulok province.