Nongbua Lamphu Hotels and travel guide to the Isan, Thailand

Thailand destinations: Bangkok, northern Provinces, Isan (North-east), Pattaya, ...

Introduction

Nong Bua Lamphu became the 76^th province of Thailand in 1993. It has an area of 3,859,626 square kilometers. Situated on the northeastern plateau, it is surrounded by Udon Thani province to the north and east, by Khon Kaen province to the

south, and by Loei province to the west.

Borders
    North    : Udon Thani Province.
    South    : Khonkaen Province.
    East      : Udon Thani Province.
    West       : Loei Province.

: Distances from Nong Bua Lamphu city to :
Nearby Provinces (kms.)		Its districts (kms.)
- Chaiyaphum - Khonkaen - Loei - Nong Khai - Udon Thani	175 110 102 96 46	- Na-Klang - Nonsang - Sriboonrueng - Suwankhuha - Na-Wang - Subdistrict	48 50 65 80 50

History

The city of Nong Bua Lamphu has a long and interesting history dating back 900 years. The area was first known as Nong Bua Lamphu Kabkaewbuaban and was a protectorate territory of Krungsrisatana (present-day Laos).

In 1574 the Thai King Maha-dharmaracha and his son (later to become King Naresuan) led a military expedition to invade Lan Chang (now Laos). Along the way, King Naresuan chose the area around Nongbua Reservoir as a place to rest his troops and prepare for the invasion of Laos. It was here that King Naresuan fell ill from small pox and had to return to Ayutthaya. A shrine was built in his honor at Nongbua Reservoir to commemorate the campaign and it has become an historical site.

In 1767, two brothers named Phra Woa and Phra Ta, who lived in Vien Tiane, Laos, gathered their followers and fled the country. They came to Thailand and established a fort at Nong Bua Lamphu which became known as 'Phra Woa-Phra Ta Camp'. Shortly thereafter, troops from Vien Tiane invade Nong Bua Lamphu remained uninhabited for years. However, remnants of the stone wall surrounding Phra War Phra Ta Camp remain and can still be seen today.

In 1895, during the reign of King Rama III of Ratanakosin, the governor of Nong Khai Province appointed Phrawichay adomkamutaket to rebuild and resettle Nakhonkhuenkhan Kabkaewbuaban and the city's name was changed to " Munag Kamutsaiburiram "

In 1906, King Rama V appointed Phra Wicharnkamutkit to the governorship of the new city and changed its name to " Muang Nong Bua Lamphu ". In 1907 Nong Bua Lamphu became a district of Udon Thani province.

Udon Thani was a large province with a population of over one million people. In accordance with the federal government's decentralization policy to promote better public service through more localization of government, the province of Udon Thani was separated into two provinces. Sriboonreung and Suwan Khuha Districts merged to form the new province of Nong Bua Lamphu on December 1, 1993.

How to get there

By Car
    1. Take Highway #1 Bangkok - Saraburi then Highway #2 Saraburi - Korat - Khon Kaen - Udon Thani,
        take Highway #210 Udon Thani - Nongworsor - Nong Bua Lamphu. 608 kms.
    2. Take Highway #1 Bangkok - Saraburi then Highway #2 Saraburi - Korat - Khon Kaen - Udon Thani,
        take Highway #2109 Khon Kaen - Ubonrat Dam - Non Sang - Nong Bua Lamphu. 559 kms.
    3. Take Highway #1 Bangkok - Saraburi then Highway #2 Saraburi - Korat - Bua Yai,
        take Highway #202 Bua Yai - Chaiyapoom - Phu Kaew - Chumpae - Sri Boon Reung, take Highway 228 to
        Nong Bua Lamphu. 584 kms.

By Bus
Take a bus, Bangkok - Udon Thani at Bangkok's Northern bus Terminal Tel. (02) 2710101-5 and then Udon Thani - Nong Bua Lamphu.

By Train
Take a train, Bangkok - Udon Thani at Bangkok Railway Station Tel. (02) 2237010, 2237020 and take a bus to Nong Bua Lamphu.

By Plane
A plane from Bangkok to Udon Thani is available every day, contact Thai Airways International Ltd TG-Bangkok, Tel (02) 2800070,2800080 and TG-Udon Thani Tel. (042) 243222,246697. Transportation in the city and to the districts Mini bus service in the city and bus service to the districts are available.

Festivals & Events

Naresuan The Great's Day Festival

January - February
Naresuan Ground

Festival of going up the mountain to worship the Buddha Image of Erawan Cave
April
Erawan Cave

Bang Fai (Thai Rocket) Festival
June
Naresuan Ground

Folk Art, Music and Games Festival
December
Naresuan Ground