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Nakhon Phanom (Thai นครพนม) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon and Nong Khai. To the north-east it borders Khammouan of Laos.
 Symbols
The provincial seal shows the pagoda of Phra That Phanom in Amphoe That Phanom. This highly revered religious building was originally constructed around 535 BC.
The provincial tree, as well as flower, is Fagraea fragrans. |
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Geography
The province is located at the valley of the river Mekong. Beside the Mekong River, the important water resouce is the Songkhram River.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 11 districts (Amphoe) and one minor district (King Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 97 communes (tambon) and 1040 villages (muban).
 Mueang Nakhon Phanom |
Pla Pak
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Tha Uthen |
Wang Yang |
Ban Phaeng
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That Phanom
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Renu Nakhon |
Na Thom |
Na Kae
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Si Songkhram
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Na Wa |
Phon Sawan |
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History
The name Nakhon Phanom, meaning "city of mountains", was gien 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. |
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How to go get there
By Car
Route 1: From Bangkok, take the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route, then proceed to Ban Phai along Highway No. 2, take Highway No. 23 and Highway No. 213 to Sakhon Nakhon Province via Maha Sarakham and Kalasin Provinces and continue the trip along Highway No. 22 to Nakhon Phanom for a total distance of 740 kilometers.
Route 2: From Bangkok take Highway No. 1, Pahonyothin Road, to Saraburi. At the main junction, kilometer 107 marker, turn right onto Highway 2 (Friendship Highway) and proceed past Nakon Ratchasima Province to Ban Phai (a district of Khon Kaen Province) and turn right onto Highway 23. Follow the route to Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom Provinces for a total distance of 735 kilometers.
By Bus
Buses depart from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) to Nakhon Phanom Province every day between 6.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m. There are different classes of bus services provided - regular, air-conditioned and VIP with fares ranging from 360 baht to 579 baht). For more information call Transport Co. Ltd. Tel. 0 2936 2852-66. Alternatively, you can visit www.transport.co.th to find more up-to-date information on schedules and fares.
By Boat
A ferry boat across the Mekong River to Tha Khaek, in Laos, costs 40 baht per person; in both directions. Only travelers traveling with valid Lao visas are permitted to cross to Tha Khaek.
By Airways
PB Air provides daily flight services from Bangkok to Nakhon Phanom, except Tuesdays and Saturdays. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0-2261-0220 5.
Thai Airways International provides daily flight services between Bangkok and Nakhon Phanom with a flight time of 1.10 hours. In addition, there are flights from Sakon Nakhon to Nakhon Phanom (25 minutes, 300B), but not in the reverse direction. THAI Airways runs shuttle van between the airport, 16 kilometers away, and the city centre. For more information, contact the Bangkok office at tel. 0-2280-0060, 0-2628-2000 or visit its website at www.thaiairways.com. |
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Festivals
Bai Si Su Khwan Ceremony and Phu Thai Dance
The Phu Thai traditional dance will be splendidly performed at the festival during May and June each year. Rarely seen in todays classical dance, Phu Thai dance is concentrated on unity of the dancers. Phu Thai is an ethnic group that still welcomes their visitors by performing the Bai Si Su Khwan ceremony that follows by a Pha-laeng dinner. For those interested, please contact Mr. Chaibodin Saliphan at 042 579174 or 01 263 2458 for reservation. (at least 35 customers are required)
Illuminated Boats Procession
Illuminated Boats Procession is organised at the end of the Buddhist Lent or every November. Boats are illuminated with colourful lights and arranged into various designs to pay homage to Lord Buddha. Once lit up, the boats make for a spectacular sight. In conjunction with the festival, provincial authorities have also organised a boat race between Thai and Lao teams to promote good relations.
Phra That Phanom Fair
Phra That Phanom Fair takes place every February. Thousands of locals and people from nearby provinces flock to the temple to pay homage to this sacred place. |
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