The minor district (king amphoe) was established on 7 January 1986, when the five tambons, Phon Sawan, Na Hua Bo, Na Khamin, Phon Bok, and Ban Kho, were split off from Tha Uthen district.[1] It was upgraded to a full district on 9 May 1992.[2]
Administration
The district is divided into seven sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 86 villages (mubans). Phon Sawan has township (thesaban tambon) status and covers part of tambons Phon Sawan and Phon Chan. There are a further seven tambon administrative organization (TAO).