Mueang Phayao is the capital district (amphoe mueang) of Phayao Province, northern Thailand. Neighbouring districts are (from the north clockwise) Mai Chai of Phayao Province, Pa Daet of Chiang Rai Province, Phu Kamyao, Dok Khamtai of Phayao Province again, Ngao and Wang Nuea of Lampang Province.
Doi Luang, the highest point of the Phi Pan Nam Range is at the western end of the district.
In 1917 Phayao District was renamed Mueang Phayao. In 1938 the word "mueang" was removed, as only the capital districts of the provinces were to have that name. With the creation of Phayao Province in 1977, the district was named Mueang Phayao again. Mueang Phayao District is divided into 15 sub-districts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 172 administrative villages (Muban).

Source: Wikipedia