Thepha (, ; Pattani Malay: ตีบอ, ) is a district (amphoe) in the southeastern part of Songkhla province, southern Thailand. Geography Neighboring districts are (from the east clockwise): Nong Chik and Khok Pho of Pattani province; Saba Yoi, Na Thawi, and Chana of Songkhla Province. To the north is the Gulf of Thailand. Etymology The name Thepha is a Thai language corruption of tiba, its original name, meaning 'arrive' in Malay. History Thepa was at first a fourth-class mueang and subordinate of mueang Phatthalung. The governor had to present a golden and silver tree to the governor of Phatthalung to pay its tribute. In the reign of King Rama II the town was transferred to Songkhla and elevated to a third-class mueang. In 1901 as part of the thesaphiban administrative reforms the mueang was reduced to a district of Songkhla. The district office was in Ban Phra Phut (บ้านพระพุทธ), village two of Thepha Subdistrict. When, in 1932, the railway was built through the district, the office was moved to a more convenient location in Ban Tha Phru (บ้านท่าพรุ), village one of Thepha Subdistrict, close to the railway station, then named Tha Muang (ท่าม่วง). Subsequently, the station was renamed Thepha. Administration The district is divided into seven sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 65 villages (mubans). Thepha is a sub-district municipality, thesaban tambon, which covers parts of tambon Thepha. Lam Phlai a sub-district municipality covering the full tambon Lam Phlai. There are a further six tambon administrative organizations (TAO). Economy Manguwang Food Co. on 7 July 2019 opened its durian-processing factory in the district. The 700 million baht factory is a joint venture by Thai and Chinese investors. It will process durian from local orchards into freeze-dried products for shipment to China. Employing about 1,200 locals, the factory will buy 12,000 tonnes of durian annually, one-third of it from local orchards. In 2020 that figure is projected to rise to 20,000 tonnes. Environment The Pak Bang Sub-district of Thepha district is to be the site of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's (EGAT) newest coal-fired generating plant, the largest of its kind in Thailand. This has raised environmental and health concerns among residents, aside from the eviction of 240 families, two mosques, two Muslim cemeteries, a religious school, and a Buddhist temple to make way for the 2,960 rai site. A public hearing in July 2015 on EGAT's plans to