Нонг Кай , Таиланд
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.
Boundry :
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.
Administration
:
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.
Native Products
:
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.
Attractions :
Prap Ho Monument commemorating the victory over the insurrection by Ho
tribesmen, was built in 1886, and is situated in front of
the town hall. Enlarged and renovated in 1951, it contains
the remains of those officials who lost their lives in
putting down the rebellion.
Luang Pho Phra Sai,
the major Buddha Image of the province, is enshrined at Wat
Pho Chai within town limit. Comparatively small, with only a
spread of about one meter across the knees, it is thought to
have been cast in Lan Chang. The annual Bun Soeng Bang Fai,
or Rocket Festival, which is held on the day of the Full
Moon in April, is celebrated at this temple.
Tha Sadet is a pier
where tourists can take a ferry across the Mekhong River to
Tha Dua of Laos. However, they are required to obtain
beforehand an entry visa from the Laotian Embassy in Bangkok
and contact Tha Sadet Immigration Checkpoint. Tha Sadet is
also a shopping are where numerous souvenirs and products
from Laos are put on sale.
Thai Lao Friendship Bridge
The first bridge across the Khong River linking Nong Khai
with tha Na Laeng in Laos, 20 Kilometers from Vientiane. The
bridge measures 1.2 kms. long. Foreigners wishing to visit
Laos are required to have a passport and visa and travel
with an authorized agency only. Travelling on one's own is
not allowed in Laos.
Phrathat Bangphuan
22 kilometers from the township area on Nong Khai-The Bo
Road, is an ancient pagoda long revered by Nong Khai people.
The pagoda houses relics of the Load Buddha. There is a
homage paying fair for Phrathat Bangphuan on the 11th waxing
day of the 2nd lunar month every year.
Wat Hin Mak Peng 30
kilometers from Amphoe Si Chiang Mai on the Highway 211, the
Wat stands on Mekong river bank with spectacular scenery. It
is peaceful place where priests come to practice their
meditation.
Phra Chao Ong Tu
one of the major Buddha images is 4 meter high with a
knee-spread of 3.29 meters. Enshrined at Wat Nam Mong, about
43 kilometers from town on the Nong Khat - Si Chiang Mai
highway, it is believed to have been cast in 1662.
Wat Sala Kaew Goo
A unique place with numerous sculptures
according to the belief of a sent of Buddhism. Sala Kaew Koo
is about 3 km. from Nong Khai on the Nong Khai - Phon Phi -
sai road.
Nam Tok Than Thong & Nam Tok
Than Thip are 85 kms. and 110 kms. away from town
respectively along the Nong Khai-Si Chiang Mai-Sangkhom
route some parts of which run hugging the bank of Mekhong
River over looking a scenic view. Nam Tok Than Thong is a
small waterfall flowing into Mekhong River. Nam Tok Than
Thip is a larger, 2-tiered waterfall with plentiful water
during the rainy season.
Phu Thok situated
in Amphoe Buang Kan, some 185 Kilometers from the province,
Phu Thok (a lonely mountain) is topped by Wat Chetiya Khiri
Vihan or Wat Phu Thok with a wooden spiral staircase leading
up there. The completion of the staircase took 5 years.
Phu Wua Wild Life Sanctuary, 31 kilometers
from Amphoe Bung Kan, is almost adjacent to the Laotion
border where the two borders run parallel to the Khong
River. The area is about 150-300 meters above sea level and
comprises many beautiful waterfalls including Nam Tok
Chanaen, Nam Tok Tham Fun, Nam Tok Tham Phra and Nam Tok
Chet Si.
How to get there :
By Bus
The Transport Co. operates a daily bus services from Bangkok
(ordinary and air-conditioned). For details, please contact
Tel.(02)2710202-5 in Bangkok for ordinary buses,
Tel.(02)279-4484-7 in Bangkok for air-conditioned buses and Tel.
(042) 411612 in Nong Khai.
By Car
Take highway No.2 pass Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen,
Undorn Thani and to Nong Khai. The total distance is 616 km.
By Train
The Royal State Railway of Thailand operates daily train
service. Derailed information can be obtained by dialing
223-7010 and 223-7020.
By Air
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.
