Mukdahan, Thailand

The Pearl on the Bank of the Mekong:
From its origin on the Jinhai Tibet Plateau through Yunnan into Chiang Saen District In Chiangrai, the Mekong river flows through 6 countries from Chian, through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and finally Vietnam. Standing on the river bank near the Indochinese market in front of the city of Mukdahan, one can imagine how far this river travels. Mukdahan has a saying "Beautiful city on the Mekong's bank, sweet tamarind, origin of Phaya River, splendid mountains, valuable ancient drums, eight-tribe cultures, picturesque Manorom Mount, and beautiful Kra Bao lslet."

Mukdahan is located in Northeastern Thailand, bordering Laos to the east with the Mekong in between. Mukdahan has a saying  "Beautiful city on the Mekong's bank, sweet tamarind, splendid mountains, valuable ancient drums, eight-tribe cultures, picturesque Manorom Mount, and beautiful Kra Bao Islet"

Most of the area of Mukdahan is a high plateau with dense forests in the west. The eastern part of the province is mostly agricultural areas. The weather is hot in the winter with the highest temperature of 33 C and the lowest of 10 C. There is little rain. 

The Mekong River, running 70 kilometers along the eastern border, remains the main lifeline of the province. Other water sources include Huay Chanod, Huay Muk and Huay Bung Ee Streams which are narrow and very shallow during the dry season. Mukdahan still has relative well preserved forest areas in the Northeast with 18 national forests or wildlife areas.

Mukdahan comprises 7 districts and has eight tribes of Thai people, each of which has its distinct tradition and culture. These eight tribes are Phu T'ai, Yu, Kha, Soe, Kar Lerng, Saek, Kula, and Thai-Lao.

Mukda or Mukdahan is one of the nine types of precious stones called Nopparatana. According to the legend told for hundreds of years, on certain nights of the religious days a Mukda would brighten, emerge from the Manorom Mount, float along the bank of the Mekong River and fall into the area where a stream meets the river. Thus the stream was named "Huay Muk" or Muk Stream.


History:
Mukdahan is an ancient city. The historical evidence told that Chankinnaree, Prince of Phonsim on the left side of the Mekong, had moved his people across the river to build a new city on the month of Huay Muk in the fourth mouth of B.E. 2312 or1770. He named the new city after the stream as "Mukdahan".

Mukdahan was part of the Udon Region. In B.E. 2450(1907) when the Udon Region was upgraded into a province, Mukdahan became a district within Nakhon Phanom Province . In B.E. 2525(1982), the Mukdahan District was upgraded to the 73rd province of Thailand.


Attractions:
Wat Si Mongkhon Tai is the temple where Mukdahan's ancient and most revered image of Buddha is enshrined. It is situated in town on the bank of Mekhong River near the immigration check-point. Within its compound, there are shops selling souvenirs and products from Laos. Boat service is available at the nearby pier for sightseeing along the Mekhong River. To cross the border to Laos, tourists are required to hold passport visaed by the Embassy of the Lao P.D.R. in Bangkok

Luang Pho Yai is a Buddha image in the gesture of giving the First Sermon seated on a hilltop within the precincts of Wat Phu Dan Tae Wat Phuttho Thammatharo. The Wat is accessible by Highway 212, a distance of 33 kilometers from the province via Amphoe Nikhom Kham Soi.

Phu Mu Forest Park is located on Highway 212 with a turn between km. 128 -129. Phu Mu is a low hill topped with a large plateau in Amphoe Nikhom Soi. The park is 353 meters above sea level and covers an area of about 4 square kilometers. It was established as a park area in 1980. Phu Mu was once home of wild boars but now is a location from where a wide view of Mukdahan can be appreciated.

Mukdahan National Park with an office situated on Mukdahan-Don Tan route with a right turn between Km. 14 -15, the park was established in December 1984 and covers a total area of some 52 square kilometers including Phu Mano, Phu Chomp Nang, Phu Chom Si, Phu Mak Rang, Phu Kham Mak Mi, Phu Tham Phra, Phu Pha Thoep, Phu Nang Hong, and Phu Lak Se, Most of the area is covered with Dipterocarps Forests and Mixed Deciduous Forests. Attractions in the park are strangely shaped rocks and colourful wild flowers in early winter.

Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park is about 50 kms. from town along the Don Tan-Loeng Nok Tha route. Tourist spots include rock paintings at Phu Pha Taem, scenic spots on high cliffs, and wild flowers blooming all around towards the end


How to get there:
By Bus
Air-conditioned  and non-air-conditioned coaches regularly leave from Bangkok's Northeastern Bus Terminal on KamphaengPhet 2 Road throughout the day. Telephone 936-2852-66, 537-8005 for more informations. 

By Air
Thai Airways operated daily flights to Nakon Phanom or  Ubon Ratchathani and buses to Mukdahan. Contact Bangkok Tel. 280-0070 or 280-0080 for more information.

By Rail
Trains leave Bangkok's Hualampong Railway Station throughout the day for Ubon Ratchathani. For more information please contact Rail Travel Aids, Tel.233-7010 or 233-7020.