Mueang Khong

Mueang Khong
เมืองคอง
Tambon
Map
CountryThailand
ProvinceChiang Mai
DistrictChiang Dao
Area
 • Total
270 km2 (100 sq mi)
Population
 (2005)
 • Total
4,244
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)

Mueang Khong or Ban Mueang Khong (Thai: เมืองคอง, บ้านเมืองคอง) is a tambon (sub-district) of Chiang Dao district, in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand. In 2005 it had a population of 4,244 people.

History & presently

Mueang Khong is a tiny community in the surrounding of the Chiang Dao range. Its name meaning "city or town of Khong", since it has the Khong and Mae Taeng rivers flowing through the area. For Khong is a river that originated from neighbouring Wiang Haeng district, and flows confluence the Mae Taeng river at the end of the sub-district.

In the past, it was only a pass or overnight spot for people who traveled from somewhere else.

Nowadays, this community is well-known as another tourist attraction in the district. There are homestays, coffee shops, and paddy fields that are check-in and good photography spots for visitors. It has interestingly adapted itself for tourism.[1]

Geography

Mueang Khong is 30 km (18 mi) from downtown Chiang Dao. It can be accessible via a steep hilly route as well as off-road route connecting to Huai Nam Dang, Wiang Kaen, and Mae Taeng districts.[1]

The terrain is a plain that is surrounded by Chiang Dao range, with a total area of 270 km2 (100 sq mi), mostly paddy fields.

Neighbouring districts are (from north clockwise): Wiang Haeng of Chiang Mai, Mueang Ngai in its district, Mae Taeng of Chiang Mai, and Pai of Mae Hong Son.

Demography

Ethnic groups consist of Lanna people, Tai Yai, Lisu, Lahu, and Paganyaw Christian.[2][1]

Economy

Mueang Khong has grown its own rice, which is why there are extensive paddy field for admiring during both the cropping and harvesting seasons.

Weaving baskets (Kuai in dialect) is an additional occupation of the locals when they are free from cultivation.[1]

Administration

The tambon is divided into six administrative mubans (villages)

No. Name Thai
1. Ban Mai บ้านใหม่
2. Ban Wang Mario บ้านวังมะริว
3. Ban Nong Bua บ้านหนองบัว
4. Ban Luang บ้านหลวง
5. Ban Nam Ru บ้านน้ำรู
6. Ban Mae Plaem บ้านแม่แพลม[2]

Local food

Pla Klom Mon or just called Pla Mon (Scaphiodonichthys acanthopterus) are small freshwater fish in cyprinid family that are plentiful in the Khong river. This species of fish is deep fried with garlic, and it will so crispy that can eat all of it, considered as a local food that is unique to this community.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Takool Komarakul Na Nakhorn (story) and Nophadol Kunbua (photographs), เมืองคองไออุ่นในอ้อมกอดดอยไกล (Living a cool slow life in Mueang Khong), Osotho, Vol. 60 Issue 5 (December 2019). Thai: ภาษาไทย
  2. ^ a b "ข้อมูลตำบลเมืองคอง อำเภอเชียงดาว เชียงใหม่" [Information of Mueang Khong sub-district, Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai]. ThaiTambon (in Thai).

19°23′N 98°43′E / 19.383°N 98.717°E / 19.383; 98.717