Nakhon Phanom Travel Package Tours, Thailand Tour Information Hotel Guide

NAKHON PHANOM PROVINCE OVERVIEW

Geography	Demographics	Telephone
Capital: Nakhon Phanom Location: North eastern Area: 5,512.7 km2	Population: 684,444 Density: 124/km2	Calling code
Town and Districts
Nakhon Phanom, Pla Pak, Tha Uthen, Ban Phaeng, That Phanom, Renu Nakhon, Na Kae, Si Songkhram,Na Wa, Phon Sawan, Na Thom, Wang Yang

General Information

Nakhon Phanom, once the center of the ancient Sri Kotrabun Kingdom, lies adjacent to the majestic Maekhong River, 735 kms. northeast of Bangkok. The lovely setting of the provincial capital is enhanced by the rugged beauty of the jungled mountains which lie beyond the Laotian town of Thakaek, on the opposite bank of the river. King Rama I selected the name Nakhon Phanom, city of mountains, because of this outstanding geographical feature.
During the centuries, Lao and other ethnic groups migrated across the Maekhong River and this is reflected in the local dialects, customs and cuisine of Nakhon Phanom. Many unique folk dances, such as the Sri Kotrabun dance, regarded as the symbol of Nakhon Phanom's long history and the Fon Phu Thai, Sek-Ten-Sak and So Tung Bung are performed on special occasions. The custom of extending a generous welcome to guests can be experienced during a Bai-Sri-Su-Kwan ceremony when a potent brew of home-made liquor is usually served.
There are many ancient religious monuments in Nakhon Phanom. The most highly revered is Pra Thad Phanom in Amphoe Thad Phanom which dates back to the time of the Sri Kotrabun Kingdom.

History
The name Nakhon Phanom, meaning "city of mountains", was given to the city by King Rama I. It should be noted that there are actually no mountains in Nakhon Phanom itself; the limestone mountains are concentrated in the city of Thakhek of Laos, which is on the other side of the Mekong. Nakhon Phanom should then mean a city where you can see mountains.
The area was long settled by Lao people and belonged to the Lan Xang kingdom. Also after it came under the control of Ayutthaya the population stayed predominantly Lao. Nakhon Phanom saw some of the most serious fighting between North Vietnamese insurgents and the US Army during the Vietnam War (or American War as the Vietnamese called it). During the 1960s, the province of Nakhon Phanom was divided into 131 amphoes. As 73 of them were said to be infiltrated by the Vietnamese communists, it was known as the "heartland of insurgency".
In 1967, almost all of the communists surrendered and towards the end of the Vietnam War, American forces retreated from Khorat and moved all their Indochinese military operations to Nakhon Phanom.
Another point of interest: Ho Chi Minh stayed at this city between 1928 to 1931, you can still visit his old house there.