Nong Khai Thailand, Nongkhai, Nong Khai photos, Nong Khai map, Thailand Travel, Thailand Hotels Reservations

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.

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