In 1785 Burmese troops attacked Mueang Thalang. The inhabitants escaped from Thalang to the area of modern-day Thap Put. They built shelters that in the southern Thai language are called thap. The shelters were covered by tree leaves which are called put.
The district was established in 1897 as one of the original districts of Phang Nga Province.
The district is divided into six sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 38 villages (mubans). Thap Phut itself has township (thesaban tambon) status. There are five tambon administrative organizations (TAO).