The district is named after Khlong Bangkok Yai (คลองบางกอกใหญ่, also called Khlong Bang Luang, คลองบางหลวง) which was actually part of Chao Phraya River until a canal dug in 1522 during the Ayutthaya period altered the flow of the river such that the canal became the main river and the section of original river became present-day Khlong Bangkok Yai.[2] Bangkok Yai, or more precisely, the Wat Arun Sub-district, was also the site of Thon Buri when the capital was set up here from 1767-1782.[3]
Originally called Amphoe Hongsaram (อำเภอหงสาราม) when the district was set up in 1915, it was renamed "Amphoe Bangkok Yai" in 1916, demoted to a king amphoe of amphoe Bang Yi Khan (อำเภอบางยี่ขัน) in 1938, promoted back to amphoe in 1958, and finally changed to a khet in an administrative reform in 1972.[4]
Administration
The district is sub-divided into two sub-districts (khwaeng).
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