Sai Mai was the name of a muban (village) in tambon (sub-district) Khu Khot, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province. It was transferred to Bang Khen district and promoted to subdistrict (tambon) in 1940. Due to the growth of population in the area, Sai Mai was elevated to district status effective 21 November 1997 to improve service and administration.[3]
The name of the village "Sai Mai" ("late or not?") is believed to come from a story told in the past as the area was very far from the downtown. Hence, passing by people often ask, "Will it be late to get here?". It is not related to Roti sai mai in any way.[4]
The dominant feature of the district is Khlong (canal) Lat Phrao. The canal is thought to have been dug in the early period of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932). Khlong Lat Phrao is one of nine canals in Bangkok that drains rainwater flowing into the city from northern Thailand, but it has been neglected for decades and clogged with refuse. In January 2016, 1.6 billion baht was allocated to rehabilitate the canal, widen it to 38 metres and deepen it to four metres. Construction is to be completed by June 2019.[5]
Administration
The district is divided into three sub-districts (khwaeng).
^Naktong, Kittinan (15 December 2020). ""สายไหม" ในวันที่รถไฟฟ้าสายสีเขียวมาถึงคูคต" ["Sai Mai" on the day when the Green Line Skytrain arrived in Khu Khot]. ASTV Manager (in Thai). Retrieved 5 February 2021.