 It was upgraded to a full district on 8 September 1976.On 1 June 1976 the two southwestern "tambons" of the district were split off to form Tha Phae Minor District.In 1996 the northwestern part was split off to form Manang District

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Palian of Trang Province; Pa Bon of Phatthalung Province; Rattaphum, Hat Yai, Khlong Hoi Khong and Sadao of Songkhla Province; and Khuan Don, Tha Phae, La-ngu and Manang of Satun Province.