History

The area originally was Tambon Phala of Mueang Rayong district. From 1963 on the American military used the U-Tapao airforce base, thus the community grew bigger.

The government created Ban Chang minor district (King Amphoe) on May 7th, 1976 by splitting two tambon from Mueang district.^[1] It was upgraded to be full district on March 16th, 1985.^[2]

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the west clockwise) Sattahip, Bang Lamung of Chonburi Province, Nikhom Phatthana and Mueang Rayong of Rayong Province. To the south is the Gulf of Thailand.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 3 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 22 villages (muban). Ban Chang is a town (thesaban mueang) and covers parts of the tambon Ban Chang and Phla. Samnak Thon is a township (thesaban tambon) which covers parts of tambon Samnak Thon. There are further 3 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO) responsible for the non-municipal areas.