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Introduction
Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
Nong Khai is 615 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 7,332 square kilometres.
Nong Khai is a long thin province running along
the Mekong River, providing the main access to Laos. Originally people went by
boat from Tha Sadet, but the building of the Friendship Bridge across
the Mekong has made Nong Khai a major centre for transport and trade with Laos.
Attractions include Wat Pho Chai, renowned for its large seated Buddha believed
to have been cast in Lan Chang, and Phra That Nong Khai, an old chedi
that slipped into the river and can now only be seen completely in the dry season.
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.
Borders
| North |
: Lao People's Democratic Republic |
| East |
: Bueng Kan |
| South |
: Udon Thani and Sakon Nakhon |
| West |
: Loei |
Distance
| Distances from Mueang District to Other Districts |
| Sakhrai |
27 km |
Fao Rai |
71 km |
| Tha Bo |
42 km |
Rattanawapi |
71 km |
| Phon Phisai |
45 km |
Pho Tak |
77 km |
| Si CHiang Mai |
57 km |
Sangkhom |
95 km |
Festivals & Events
Prap Ho Monument Fair
When: March
Prap Ho Monument Fair
Where: Prap Ho Monument, Mueang District
Prap Ho Monument is held annually at the Prap Ho Monument to commemorates the defeat of the
“Hau”(also known as Haw, Chin Haw or Chin Ho or Hui), during the Haw wars of 1865 to 1890.
Activities in the festival included shows, games, and booths of goods at reasonable prices.
Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival
When: Sixth lunar month
Where: Wat Pho Chai, Mueang District
Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival is ancient festival is thought to have originated from neighbouring
Lao, (while others say it came from Cambodia), and is believed to predate Buddhism; the festival
is also widely believed to be a variant of fertility rites and an offering to the spirits, in
particular to “Phaya Thaen”, the god of rain and Phosop the goddess of rice, to ask for both
the much needed rain and a bountiful harvest. So, the celebration is entirely to the god of
rain. In festival there is a rocket contest to worship Phaya Thaen. A temple fair will be
organised in the grounds of Wat Pho Chai. Rocket shooting will be done on the field around
10 km. from Wat Pho Chai.
Naga Fire Ball Festival
When: The full-moon day of the eleventh lunar month
Where: Mekong River in Phon Phisai District
An interesting cultural event, the natural wonder of Bang Fai Phaya Nak “Naga Fireballs”
will soon be held in the northeastern province of Nong Khai. The highlight of the festival
is on October 14, Ok Phansa Day, the full-moon day of the eleventh lunar month. Every year,
on the night of Ok Phansa, fireballs of various sizes burst from the bottom of the Mekong
River, sprint above the water surface, and then move skyward before disappearing. The Naga
Fireball Festival also features a bazaar, a food fair, a contest of floating and illuminated
boats in worship of the Naga, long-boat races, and a light and sound show. Although there
are several viewpoints for watching the natural wonder of the Naga fireballs, a great
number of fireballs are usually seen in Phon Phisai District.
Thai 
