The district was originally named Chai Buri (ไชยบุรี) and was a part of Nakhon Phanom province.

Kan (TH: กาฬ) is Thai for the Hindu goddess Kali; as an adjective it may mean 'black' and as a noun, 'black mark of death'.

[10] Neighboring districts are (from the east clockwise) Bung Khla, Seka, Si Wilai, Phon Charoen, So Phisai, and Pak Khat of Bueng Kan Province.

The project will link the cities of Bueng Kan in Thailand and Bolikhamxai in Laos across the Mekong River.

Missing numbers are tambon which now form the districts Bung Khla and Si Wilai.