 In 1917, the district name was changed from Renu Nakhon (เรณูนคร) to That Phanom.The district is divided into 12 sub-districts ("tambons"), which are further subdivided into 142 villages ("mubans").The sub-district municipality ("thesaban tambon") That Phanom covers parts of "tambon" That Phanom and That Phanom Nuea.