 The minor district ("king amphoe") Tha Phae was established on 1 May 1976 with the two southwestern "tambons", Tha Phae and Pae Ra of the district Khuan Kalong.It was upgraded to a full district on 4 July 1994.Neighboring districts are (from the northwest clockwise) La-ngu, Khuan Kalong, Khuan Don and Mueang Satun.