# Bang Chang, Samut Songkhram

Bang Chang (Thai: บางช้าง, pronounced) is a subdistrict (tambon) of Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram province, central Thailand.

## History

Bang Chang's history dates to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. During that time, Bang Chang was the name of entirety Samut Songkhram province, its area covered to parts of Bang Khonthi and Mueang Samut Songkhram districts with Damnoen Saduak district in Ratchaburi province as well.
Between Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin periods, Bang Chang was dubbed "Suan Nok" (outer garden), paired with "Suan Nai" (inner garden) or Bangkok. Because they have a very similar terrain, which was filled with orchards and there was many watercourses flowing through both areas.
Bang Chang has long been known for being an area for agriculture, especially mango.
Its name "Bang Chang" meaning "place of elephants", because it used to be a habitat for many herd of wild elephants and was also a hideout for the white elephants.
Until the establishment of Amphawa district officially, Bang Chang were reduced to subdistrict and changed the name to "Pak Ngam" (ปากง่าม), consisting of 12 administrative villages.
In the year 1941, its name therefore changed again to Bang Chang in accordance with the original name. Khun Bang Chang (ขุนบางช้าง) was the first head of the subdistrict.
Bang Chang was also the birthplace of Amarindra, the Queen Consort of King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I), and the mother of King Phutthaloetla Naphalai (Rama II). She was also the origin of the royal family surname na Bang Chang (ณ บางช้าง).

## Geography

The lowland area has a majority of horticulture.
Neighboring subdistricts are (from the north clockwise): Bang Phrom of Bang Khonthi district, Khlong Khoen and Ban Prok of Mueang Samut Songkhram district, Amphawa and Khwae Om in its district.
Bang Chang is located 8 km (4.97 mi) from the downtown Samut Songkhram.

## Economy

Most Bang Chang residents work in agriculture.

## Administration
### Provincial government

The administration of Bang Chang subdistrict is responsible for an area that covers 2,745 rai ~ 4.39 square kilometres (1.69 sq mi) and consists of nine villages (muban), as of December 2023: 4,531 people and 1,874 households.
| Village | Name | Thai | People |
| Moo1 | Ban Khlong Lat Ta Chot | บ้านคลองลัดตาโชติ | 278 |
| Moo2 | Ban Khlong Bang Chak | บ้านคลองบางจาก | 257 |
| Moo3 | Ban Bang Chak | บ้านบางจาก | 358 |
| Moo4 | Ban Khlong Suan Luang | บ้านคลองสวนหลวง | 279 |
| Moo5 | Ban Khlong Suan Luang | บ้านคลองสวนหลวง | 436 |
| Moo6 | Ban Khlong Dao Dueng | บ้านคลองดาวดึงษ์ | 599 |
| Moo7 | Ban Wat Pa Kham | บ้านวัดป่ากง่าม | 717 |
| Moo8 | Ban Wat Langka | บ้านวัดลังกา | 411 |
| Moo9 | Ban Khlong Wat Chulamani | บ้านคลองวัดจุฬามณี | 1,196 |
| | | Total | 4,531 |

### Local government

Bang Chang is administered by the Bang Chang subdistrict administrative organization - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon - o bo to), which covers the whole subdistrict.

## Healthcare

There are Bang Chang and Wat Daowadung health-promoting hospitals in Moo5 and Moo6.

## Temples

The following active temples, where Theravada Buddhism is practised by local residents:
| Temple name | Thai | Location |
| Wat Alongkorn | วัดอลงกรณ์ | Moo1 |
| Wat Bang Phrom | วัดบางพรหม | Moo5 |
| Wat Chang Phueak | วัดช้างเผือก | Moo5 |
| Wat Daowadung | วัดดาวดึงษ์ | Moo6 |
| Wat Phraya Yadi | วัดพระยาญาดิ | Moo7 |
| Wat Lanka | วัดลังกา | Moo8 |
| Wat Chulamani | วัดจุฬามณี | Moo9 |

## Local products

* Traditional Thai sweets
* Benjarong (traditional five-coloured Thai ceramics)
* Bang Chang bird's eye chilli
* Shredded tobacco