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Introduction |
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In the year 1626 A.D
during the reign of King Rama III of Bangkok, King Anuwong of Vientiane
rebelled and proclaimed Vientiane a kingdom not I.c. subject to Siam any
more. He also led an army to capture people in the territory of Siam and
brought them bock to Vientiane. In the suppression of this rebellion,
Thao Suwo Thamma led an army from Muang Yasothon to join the army from
Bangkok, and he subdued King Anuwong who was eventually sent down to
Bangkok. King Rama III then gave a reward to Thao Suwo Thomma in terms
of allowing him to select from four locations to be used as a town
construction site. Thao Suwo Thamma finally selected the site at Ban
Phai called Muang Nong Khai in the year 1827.
In the year 1891 Muang
Nong Khai was the site of Monthon Lao Phruan (monthon = a
semi-autonomous unit of administration comprising several provinces). In
1893 the Monthon Office was moved to Ban Mak Khaeng due to the loss of
territory on the left bank of the Mekhong River to France. Later, in the
year 1900, Monthon Udon was established at Ban Mak Khaeng, thus changing
the status of Muang Nong Khai to be a province of Monthon Udon.
After the abolishment of the
Monthon Thesaphiban Administration system in the year 1933, Nong Khai
Province was removed from the control of Monthon Udon and has held
provincial status ever since.
Changwat Nong Khai, one of
Thailand's northeastern border provinces, is located on the right bank
of the Mekhong River, opposite to Tha Dua of the Lao PDR. It occupies an
area of approximately 7,332.28 square kilometers or the equivalent of
about 4.5 million rai.
Geographic
Characteristics
In general, Nong Khai is part of the river basin in the north. It is
a plateau with deciduous forest in the east while the west has mountains
and forest bordering forest area of Loei Province. The southern area is
highland having on average altitude of 1,200 feet above sea level.
There are three seasons in Changwat Nong Khai. It is very hot in summer
with a high temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. There are heavy rains
during the rainy season due to its location adjacent to the Mekhong
River. It is chilly during the winter season due to its highland nature
with a low temperature of 11 degrees Celsius. |
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Boundary |
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Bordering the Mekhong River,
which marks the border of Thailand and the Lao PDR to the North;
Bordering Changwat Udon Thani and Changwat Sakon Nakhon to the south;
Bordering Changwat Nakhon Phanom to the east:
Bordering Changwat Loei to the west. |
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Administration |
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Changwat Nong Khai is
administratively divided into 10 Amphoes and 2 King Amphoes.
They are: Muang Nong Khai, Bung Kan, Phon Phisai, Si Chiang Mai, Seka,
Tha Bo, So Phisai, Sangkhom, Phon Charoen, Pak Khat, King Amphoe Bung
Khong Long, and, King Amphoe Si Wilai.
Approximate
distance from
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Amphoe Muang to each of the others: |
Muang — Bung Kan
136 Kms.
Muang — Phon Charoen 25 Kms.
Muang — Soangkhom 99 Kms.
Muang — Seka
215 Kms. |
Muang —
Tha Bo
42 Kms.
Muang — Phon Phisai 45 Kms.
Muang — Si Chiang Mai 62 Kms. |
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Traveling
To Nong Khai |
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From Bangkok the trip is made
on Highway No.2 passing Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, and Udon
Thani, on to Nong Khai. The total distance is 616 kilometers.
The Transport Company Limited operates daily bus services both by
regular bus and air-conditioned bus. Detailed information can be
obtained by dialing Tel. 271-0101 to 271-0105 for regular bus, and Tel.
279-4484 to 279-4487 for air-conditioned bus.
The Royal State Railway of Thailand operates daily train service.
Detailed information can be obtained by dialing 223-7010 and 223-7020.
Those desiring to travel by air can fly to Changwat Udon Thani and then
continue the trip by land transport (another 51 kilometers). Detailed
information can be obtained from the Thai Airways International, Tel.
260-0070 and 280-0080. |
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Native
Products |
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There ore several types of
native products in Nong Khai Province. A few outstanding items are:
hand-woven textiles, wickerwork, silverware, mu yaw (a specific type of
preserved pork which can be safely kept for a long time), and Indian
beach fruit. |
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Provided by
Tourism Authority of
Thailand
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