Khao Kala

Khao Kala
เขากะลา
Tambon
Khao Kala
Etymology: "coconut shell mountain"
Map
Coordinates: 15°34′0″N 100°17′0″E / 15.56667°N 100.28333°E / 15.56667; 100.28333
CountryThailand
ProvinceNakhon Sawan
DistrictPhayuha Khiri
Named forKala mountains
Government
 • TypeSubdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO)
 • MayorPrachuap Meethong
 • Vice mayorFS1 Samran Khlaisaeng
Area
 • Total
217.23 km2 (83.87 sq mi)
Population
8,458
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postcode
60130
Area code(+66) 02

Khao Kala (Thai: เขากะลา, pronounced [kʰǎw kā.lāː]) is a tambon (sub-district) and neighbourhood in Nakhon Sawan Province, upper central Thailand.

Geography

Khao Kala is a line of low mountains shaped like an inverted coconut shell. Hence the name "Khao Kala" (coconut shell hill) according to its shape. The area of Khao Kala range covers the entire area of Tambon Khao Kala, Phayuha Khiri District to Tambon Phra Non in Mueang Nakhon Sawan District or capital of Nakhon Sawan Province.[1]

Most of the area is plateau and mountainous. Khao Kala is located about 24 km (14.9 mi) east of downtown Phayuha Khiri.

Khao Kala has a total area of 217.23 square kilometers (about 135,768.75 rais).

Adjoining areas are (from north clockwise): Phra Non in Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Hua Thanon in Tha Tako District, Nikhom Khao Bo Kaeo in its district, Udom Thanya in Tak Fa District, and Khao Thong with Nikhom Khao Bo Kaeo in its district, respectively.[2]

Demography

Total population of 8,458 people (4,114 men, and 4,344 women) in 2,999 households.

Economy

Most of the population has a career in sugarcane farming. The occupation of the rice farmers is a minority.

Administration

Khao Kala is governed by the Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) Khao Kala (เทศบาลตำบลเขากะลา).

The tambon is divided into 19 administrative mubans (village)[2]

No. Name Thai
1. Ban Huai Bong บ้านห้วยบง
2. Ban Khao Sam Yot บ้านเขาสามยอด
3. Ban Phu Wa บ้านพุหว้า
4. Ban Nong Tao บ้านหนองเต่า
5. Ban Than Lamyai บ้านธารลำไย
6. Ban Nong Khloi บ้านหนองกลอย
7. Ban Sab Pakkard บ้านซับผักกาด
8. Ban Sa Bua บ้านสระบัว
9. Ban Sa Bua Tai บ้านสระบัวใต้
10. Ban Phu Wiset บ้านพุวิเศษ
11. Ban Hua Khao Phra Krai บ้านหัวเขาพระไกร
12. Ban Khao Sanam Chai บ้านเขาสนามชัย
13. Ban Phu Ta Mueang บ้านพุตาเมือง
14. Ban Khao Khat บ้านเขาขาด
15. Ban Dong Man บ้านดงมัน
16. Ban Hang Nam บ้านหางน้ำ
17. Ban Khao Wong Nuea บ้านเขาวงค์เหนือ
18. Ban Khao Wong Klang บ้านเขาวงค์กลาง
19. Ban Mai Tha Nam Oi บ้านใหม่ท่าน้ำอ้อย

Utilities

Khao Kala has four local hospitals, 19 local health centres, four drugstores.

There are a total of nine temples and two abbeys.

In education, Khao Kala consists of five child development centres, six primary schools, one secondary school, six public libraries, and one non-formal education centre.

In communication, there are two post offices, 16 public telephone booths.

Every household has electricity and water supply.

UFO hotspot

Further information: UFO sightings in Thailand

Khao Kala is famous for being the only UFO hotspot in Thailand. Some locals believe it's where aliens will land the UFOs, or be seen frequently. Although outsiders or even some locals don't believe that. However, they dubbed Khao Kala "Area 51 of Thailand".[1][3][4]

Cites

  1. ^ a b "เรื่องน่ารู้ เขากะลา นครสวรรค์ ภูเขาศักดิ์สิทธิ์ของคนเชื่อเรื่องมนุษย์ต่างดาว" [Things to know Khao Kala Nakhon Sawan, a sacred hill of alien believers]. Kapook.com (in Thai). 2020-08-27. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  2. ^ a b "อบต.เขากะลา" [SAO Khao Kala]. Khaokala.go.th (in Thai).
  3. ^ S. Ehrlich, Richard (2019-10-06). "The UFO seekers flocking to a remote Thai hilltop in search of Buddhist aliens". CNN. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  4. ^ Hookway, James (2011-05-06). "E.T. Phones Thailand and Picks Up the Tab for the Call". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2021-08-30.

15°34′00″N 100°17′00″E / 15.566667°N 100.283333°E / 15.566667; 100.283333