Thailand Region Guide Northeastern Thailand
Udon Thani
The city itself is a bustling market centre for the surrounding agricultural areas, and a transport hub for traveling to neighboring provinces.
The tipper Northeastern Region (I-san) is crested by Lao RD.R. and bordered by the Mekong River along its northern and eastern limits. Like the rest of the Northeast, it is the most traditional part of the country, preserving time-honored customs, folk arts and festivals as part of daily life. It is also an intensely rural area although a number of cities serve as regional centres; Udon Thani being one of the largest.
The province of Udon Thani covers an area of 11,730 sq. km., with the provincial capital situated slightly over 560 km. northeast of Bangkok. The city itself is a bustling market centre for the surrounding agricultural areas, and a transport hub for traveling to neighboring provinces. While Udon has its own city sights, the big attraction beyond is the World Heritage Site of Ban Chiang, an important archaeological find attesting to a prehistoric civilization. Website: www.udonthani.go.th
Sakon Nakhon
Ancient customs and traditions, such as the Wax Castle Festival held in October, are well preserved in Sakon Nakhon and add a further dimension to interest the traveler.
Lying east of Udon Thani. Sakon Nakhon is 647 km. from Bangkok and the province covers an area of 9,605 sq. km. Like Udon Thani, the provincial capital serves largely as a market centre for the surrounding agricultural communities. Geographically, the province encompasses the Phu Phan mountain range, where several forest temple meditation retreats are located. Some of these temples are famous for having in the past been the residences of revered monks well known for their lofty achievements in meditation practices. Ancient customs and traditions, such as the Wax Castle Festival held in October, are well preserved in Sakon Nakhon and add a further dimension to interest the traveler.
Website: www.sakonnakhon.go.th
Roi Et
Its vast Thung Kula Rong Hai flatlands, formerly regarded as a wasteland, have been developed into fertile and productive agricultural land that is now one of the country’s top sources of high-quality rice.
With its northeast corner bordering Mukdahan and covering an area of about 8299 sq. km., Roi EL 5 12 km. from Bangkok, was once ravaged by floods hut is today making a resurgence. Its vast Thung Kula Rong I Iai flatlands, formerly regarded as a wasteland, have been developed into fertile and productive agricultural land that is now one of the country’s top sources of high-quality rice. The provincial capital is also comparatively new, its focal point being a large artificial lake with a fitness park on an island in the middle. Off the beaten track, Roi Et affords a fresh insight into the life and culture of the Northeast. Website: www.roiet.go.th
Nong Khai
A small leafy town of considerable charm, Nong Khai draws much of its fascination from its riverside location and its role as a frontier post.
Immediately north of Udon Thani and 6 1 5 km. from Bangkok, Nong Khai is an attractive tourist destination, both in its scenery and its cultural sights. The province of some 7,332 sq. km. forms a narrow strip strung out along the banks of the Mekong River for 330 km., which here forms the border with Lao P.D.R. This makes the provincial capital, located 51 km. north of Udon Thani, a major gateway to the Lao capital of Vientiane, a mere 24 km. away beyond the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge that spans the river. A small leafy town of considerable charm, Nong Khai draws much of its fascination from its riverside location and its role as a frontier post. However, interest is not limited to a simple matter of geography; there are several venerable temples and other sights along with a tranquil, almost rural atmosphere, which make Nong Khai a satisfying destination in its own right as well as being a hopping off point for visits to Lao P.D.R.
Wcbsite: www.nongkhai.go.th.
Nong Bua Lam Phu
Nong Bua Lam Phu was once the site of an ancient city dating back more than 900 years ago... ..
Located 559 km. from Bangkok and 46 km. from Udon Thani and covering an area of 3,859 sq. km., Nong Bua Lam Phu was once the site of an ancient city dating back more than 900 years ago (ancient artefacts from the area can now he seen in the Khon Kaen Museum).
Nong Bua Lam Phu previously formed a part of Udon Thani but was made a province in its own right on 1 December 1993. Website: www.nonghualarnphu..go.th
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