Don Mueang district

History

Don Mueang was once part of Bang Khen, but it became a district in its own right in 1989. Later in 1997, the southern part of Don Mueang was split off to establish a new district, Lak Si.

Don Mueang was originally called "Don I Yiao" ("the upland of hawks") because of its elevated terrain. The area did not flood and was rich in wildlife, especially birds of prey including hawks, hence the name. At that time, only about 50 households lived in the area, concentrated around what is now the northern end of Don Mueang International Airport; the only way to access the area was by railway. The new name, Don Mueang, was given by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) when a Royal Thai Air Force base was established there. As both the air force base and later the airport took shape, prosperity gradually came to Don Mueang.

Places

• Don Mueang International Airport
• Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base
• Royal Thai Air Force Museum

Administration

The district is divided into three sub-districts (khwaeng).

The missing numbers 1 and 3 belong to the sub-districts which were split off to form Lak Si district.

Politics

Don Mueang has been a stronghold for the Pheu Thai Party (and its predecessors, Thai Rak Thai Party and People's Power Party), winning in every general and gubernatorial elections after the 2006 coup and is considered a "deep red" district. The last time the Democrats had an MP in the constituency was in 1976. However in late-2012, Kanoknuch Naksuwanpha, a Democrat and a long-time local politician, won an upset election to secure her seat on the city council. It is believed that the reason she won was because of her long ties with Don Mueang as she built her political base in the area for decades.

Later in the mid-2013, Tankhun Jitt-itsara, a Democrat candidate, defeated Yuranunt Pamornmontri, a Pheu Thai candidate, in the Don Mueang by-election to replace the former MP Karun Hosakul, who had been disqualified by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT). It was the Democrat Party's first victory in the district in almost 40 years.

[[Members of parliament|MPs]]

• 1995–1996: Paveena Hongsakul, Hangthong Thammawattana, Sumit Sundaravej
• 1996–2000: Paveena Hongsakul, Hangthong Thammawattana, Sumit Sundaravej
• 2001–2005: M.R. Damrongdit Disakul
• 2005–2006: Janista Lewchalermvongse
• 2007–2011: Anusorn Punthong, Anudith Nakornthap, Karun Hosakul
• 2011–2014: Surachat Thianthong (11th)
• 2011–2013: Karun Hosakul (12th)
• 2013–2014: Tankhun Jitt-itsara (12th)
• Vacant due to 2014 Thai coup d'état
• 2019–2023: Karun Hosakul (10th)
• 2023–present: Ekkarach Udomumnouy

Electoral district

• 2007 – Bangkok 5th district
• 2011 – Bangkok 11th district (Sanam Bin), Bangkok 12th district (Don Mueang, Si Kan)
• 2019 – Bangkok 10th district
• 2023 – Bangkok 10th district

District Council

The district council for Don Mueang has eight members who serve four-year terms. 2006 Thailand local elections were last held on 30 April 2006. The results were:

• Chart Thai Party: seven seats
• Thai Rak Thai Party: one seat

Climate

| access-date = 12 October 2023}}

Economy

The economy is dominated by the presence of Don Mueang International Airport. Airports of Thailand has its head office at Don Mueang. Thai Lion Air also has its head office in the district. The head offices of R Airlines and Solar Air are on the property of Don Mueang Airport.

Education

Harrow International School, Bangkok is in the district.

References

References

1. "Population and House Report for Year 2017 (see page 2 for data of this district)". Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Internal Affairs.
2. (2013-06-16). "'ดอนเมือง' ชื่อนั้นสำคัญไฉน". Daily News.
3. "ประวัติความเป็นมา".
4. [http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645982-don-mueang-by-election-expected-to-be-very-tight/ Don Mueang by-election expected to be very tight] ''The Nation''
5. [http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/355257/democrats-hope-to-shake-pheu-thai-grip-on-don-muang Don Muang bye election a test of popularity] ''Bangkok Post''
6. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Kanoknuchs-long-ties-with-Don-Muang-led-to-win-30189692.html Kanoknuch's long ties with Don Muang led to win] {{Webarchive. link. (2018-12-31 ''The Nation'')
7. (2013-06-17). "Democrat Jitisara secures Don Muang by-election". Coconuts Bangkok.
8. "Contact AOT".
9. "Contact us".
10. "[http://www.thairairline.com/contact.html Headquarter] {{Webarchive. link. (2016-03-13 ."{{sic [[R Airlines]]. Retrieved on 27 January 2013.)
11. "About Solar Air".
12. "[http://www.harrowschool.ac.th/Contact-Us.html Contact Us] {{Webarchive. link. (2013-03-31 ." [[Harrow International School, Bangkok]]. Retrieved on 1 March 2013.)