Don Mueang was once part of Bang Khen, but it became a district in its own right in 1989. Later in 1997, the southern part of Don Mueang was split off to establish a new district, Lak Si.
Don Mueang was originally called "Don I Yiao" ('the upland of hawks'), because of the upland terrain. The water was not flooded and teeming with wildlife including a variety of birds of prey, as well as hawk, hence the name. There was a number of people living in about 50 households only. Access to the area was only possible by railway.[2]
The new name was given by King Vajiravudh when the Royal Thai Air Force base was established there.[3] When air force base and airport were established prosperity gradually entered Don Mueang respectively.[2]
The missing numbers 1 and 3 belong to the sub-districts which were split off to form Lak Si district.
Politics
Don Mueang has been a stronghold for the Pheu Thai Party (and its predecessors, Thai Rak Thai Party and People's Power Party),[4] winning in every general and gubernatorial elections after the 2006 coup and is considered a "deep red" district. The last time the Democrats had an MP in the constituency was in 1976.[5] However in late-2012, Kanoknuch Naksuwanpha, a Democrat and a long-time local politician, won an upset election to secure her seat on the city council. It is believed that the reason she won was because of her long ties with Don Mueang as she built her political base in the area for decades.[6]
2011 - Bangkok 11th district (Sanam Bin), Bangkok 12th district (Don Mueang, Si Kan)
2019 - Bangkok 10th district
District Council
The district council for Don Mueang has eight members who serve four-year terms. 2006 Thailand local elections were last held on 30 April 2006. The results were: