Nakhon Chai Si was originally established during the reign of King
Maha Chakkraphat of the
Ayutthaya kingdom. When King
Chulalongkorn introduced the
Monthon system as part of the
Thesaphiban administrative reform,
Mueang Nakhon Chai Si became the capital city of Monthon Nakhon Chai Si. Later, after the system was abolished, Mueang Nakhon Chai Si was downgraded to a district under Nakhon Pathom province. The name Nakhon Chai Si was given in remembrance of King
Chaiyasiri of the
Singhanavati Kingdom, who was the son of King
Phrom and believed by the people of Ayutthaya to be their ancestor. More than a thousand years ago,
Han Chinese referred to Nakhon Chai Si, along with nearby areas such as
Samut Sakhon, by the
Teochew name "Leng Kia Chu" (;
pinyin:
Lóng zǐ cuò). This term means "home of the dragon's descendants" and may have been inspired by the way the
Tha Chin River winds through the region in curves that resemble a serpent or
dragon. ==Geography==