 It was created as Ban Luang Minor District ("king amphoe") on 15 May 1975, when three "tambons", Pa Kha Luang, Suat, and Ban Phi, were split off from Mueang District.It was upgraded to a full district on 20 October 1993.Neighboring districts are from the east clockwise Mueang Nan, Wiang Sa of Nan Province, Song of Phrae Province, Chiang Muan and Pong of Phayao Province.