# Ban Pa

Ban Pa (Thai: บ้านป่า) is a subdistrict in Mueang Phitsanulok District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. In 2022 it had a population of 5,792 and 2,563 households. The economy of this subdistrict is mainly based on agriculture and fishery.

## Geography

The topography of Ban Pa is a plain area at the foot of the mountain. The subdistrict is bordered to the north by Wat Bot district, to the east and south by Don Thong subdistrict, to the west by Hua Ro subdistrict and Makham Sung subdistrict. Ban Pa subdistrict lies in the Nan Basin, which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. The Nan River flows west of the subdistrict.

## History

The local legend is that it was originally a dense rainforest. In 1821, people from Vientiane province (Laos) arrived in Moo3 and Moo5. In 1832, Thai people settled Ban Laem Rang in Moo1. Later, people from Phichit and Phrae provinces arrived. Original Moo6 was called Ban Tai, Moo7 was called Ban Nuea and Moo7 was called Ban Rai. Today, these three villages are all called Ban Pa. Ultimately, most forest on plains is cleared for agriculture.

## Administration
### Central government

The administration of Ban Pa subdistrict is responsible for an area that covers 37,625 rai ~ 60 square kilometres (23 sq mi) and consists of 10 administrative villages, as of 2022: 5,792 people and 2,563 households.
| Village | English | Thai | People | Households |
| Moo1 | Ban Nong Chok | บ้านหนองจอก | 134 | 72 |
| Moo2 | Ban Bueng Sai | บ้านบึงไทร | 652 | 282 |
| Moo3 | Ban Bueng Kradan | บ้านบึงกระดาน | 720 | 349 |
| Moo4 | Ban Laem Pradu | บ้านแหลมประดู่ | 244 | 97 |
| Moo5 | Ban Sae | บ้านแซ่ | 493 | 208 |
| Moo6 | Ban Pa | บ้านป่า | 658 | 313 |
| Moo7 | Ban Pa | บ้านป่า | 445 | 209 |
| Moo8 | Ban Pa | บ้านป่า | 1,140 | 490 |
| Moo9 | Ban Dong | บ้านดง | 817 | 357 |
| Moo10 | Ban Wang Yao | บ้านวังยาว | 489 | 186 |

### Local government

Ban Pa Subdistrict Administrative Organization - Ban Pa SAO (Thai: องค์การบริหารตำบลบ้านป่า, romanized: ongkan borihan suan tambon Ban Pa) covers the whole Ban Pa subdistrict.

## Temples

Ban Pa subdistrict is home to the following active temples, where Theravada Buddhism is practiced by local residents:
| Temple name | Thai | Location |
| Wat Saeng Muk Anothai | วัดแสงมุขอโณทัย | Moo1 |
| Wat Bueng Kradan | วัดบึงกระดาน | Moo3 |
| Wat Wang Yao Samakeetham | วัดวังยาวสามัคคีธรรม | Moo3 |
| Wat Ban Chae | วัดบ้านแช่ | Moo5 |
| Wat Ban Pa | วัดบ้านป่า | Moo6 |
| Wat Khao Rai Iam Sophon | วัดเขาไร่เอี่ยมโสภณ | Moo9 |

## Infrastructure
### Education

The following elementary/secondary schools are located in Ban Pa:
* Ban Bueng Kradan school - Moo3
* Ban Pa school - Moo6
* Ban Dong Wittaya school - Moo9

### Healthcare

There is Ban Pa health-promoting hospital in Moo7.

### Transportation

Major road is:
* Highway 11, Phitsanulok - Den Chai route.

### Electricity

All households in Ban Pa subdistrict have access to the electricity grid of Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA).

### Communications

There are more than twenty mobile top-up kiosks and two public phone booths and also one Thai Post office.

### Waterworks

All households in Ban Pa subdistrict have access to the water network of Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA).

## Economy

The economy of Ban Pa is mainly based on crop (rice and corn) and livestock (chickens, cattle and pigs) production and fisheries. The following companies play a role in the employment service:
* Cargill Siam Co. Ltd. - Moo8
* T.P.Pacific Co. Ltd. - Moo8
* Thai Charoen fresh fruit market - Moo6
* Rice mill - Moo3
* Three petrol and gas stations - Moo4, Moo6 and Moo8

## Attraction

* Bueng Thung Hong (Thai:บึงทุ่งหงษ์) - Moo1