Ban Ko (Thai: บ้านเกาะ, in Thai pronounced as /bâːn kɔ̀ʔ/) is a tambon (subdistrict) of Mueang Samut Sakhon district, Samut Sakhon province, Thailand.
Originally, Ban Ko was a muban (village) in Tha Sai subdistrict. In the era of second local headman proposed a separation to set up a new subdistrict. In 1925, the government announced the establishment of the areas of Ban Ko, Bang Pla, and Om Rong Kip together to form a subdistrict for the first time, called "Ko Ari" (เกาะอารีย์, in Thai pronounced as /kɔ̀ʔ ʔāː.rīː/) in the year 1938.
Later, the name was changed to "Ban Ko" according to its topography.[1]
Ban Ko is the northwest part of Mueang Samut Sakhon, a capital district of Samut Sakhon. It has an area of about 27,837 km2 or about 17,395 rai.
Adjoining subdistricts include (from north clockwise): Amphaeng in Ban Phaeo district and Tha Sao with Don Kai Di in Krathum Baen district, Tha Sai and Na Di with Bang Krachao as well as Chai Mongkhon in its district, respectively.
The name Ban Ko literally translated as "island hamlet", due to the condition of its area surrounded by waterways. Hence the name. In addition, it is also known as Ko Samut (เกาะสมุทร, in Thai pronounced as /kɔ̀ʔ sāmùt/, lit "ocean island").
With the topography of Mueang Samut Sakhon close to the mouth of the Bangkok Bay (upper Gulf of Thailand). Therefore, Ban Ko has both mangrove forests and nipa palm forests.
At present, Ban Ko's nipa palm forest is the last remaining. It is like a green space surrounded by highways and houses with factories. The forest is also habitat to Betta mahachaiensis, a bubble-nesting fighting fish endemic to Samut Sakhon and its vicinity (Bang Khun Thian, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram). The male fish nests in a shallow puddle beneath the nipa palm tree.[2]
Khlong Khru, a local main khlong (canal), used to be an old course of the Tha Chin river. In the King Rama V's reign, the Tha Chin river was excavated. As a result, this phase of the river became shallow and eventually reduced in size to become a canal.[3]
Ban Ko is administered by two government bodies, Ban Ko Subdistrict Administrative Organization and Bang Pla Subdistrict Municipality.
It was further divided into 8 administrative villages.
| No. | Name | Thai |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ban Phantu Wong | บ้านพันธุวงษ์ |
| 2. | Ban Wat Ko | บ้านวัดเกาะ |
| 3. | Ban Na Wat | บ้านหน้าวัด |
| 4. | Ban Bang Pla | บ้านบางปลา |
| 5. | Ban Siri Mongkhon | บ้านศิริมงคล |
| 6. | Ban Khlong Samae | บ้านคลองแสม |
| 7. | Ban Om Rong Hip | บ้านอ้อมโรงหีบ |
| 8. | Ban Pak Bo Yai | บ้านปากบ่อใหญ่ |
As of December 2022, it has a total population of 18,516.[4]