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| Geography |
Demographics |
Telephone |
Capital: Nong Khai
Location: North eastern
Area: 7,332.3 km2 |
Population: 883,704
Density: 121/km2 |
Calling code |
| Town and Districts |
| Mueang Nong Khai, Tha Bo, Bueng Kan, Phon Charoen, Phon Phisai, So Phisai, Si Chiang Mai, Sangkhom, Seka, Pak Khat, Bueng Khong Long, Si Wilai, Bung Khla, Sa Khrai, Fao Rai, Rattanawapi, Pho Tak |
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| General Information |
Nong Khai is the northernmost of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand and is located 615 kilometres from Bangkok. This province has an area of 7,739 square kilometers with the following districts: Mueang Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Phon Phisai, Tha Bo, Sangkhom, Seka, So Phisai, Si Chiang Mai, Phon Charoen, Pak Khat, Bueng Khong Long, Si Wilai, Bung Khla, Sa Khrai, Rattana Wapi, Fao Rai and Pho Tak.
The neighboring provinces area Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani and Loei. To the north it borders Vientiane Province, Vientiane Prefecture and Bolikhamxai of Laos. 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. Sala Kaeo Ku is a bizarre sculpture garden packed with statres of Shiva, Vishnu and Buddha as well as many other figures from Hindu and Thai culture. Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary near the Mekong River contains a number of beautiful waterfalls. |
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History
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. |
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