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.
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. At first it was known as Si Kotrabun, and during the times of King Rama I as Maruka Nakhon.
Nakhon Phanom saw some of the most serious fighting between North Vietnamese insurgents and the US forces during the Vietnam War (or American War as the Vietnamese called it). During the 1960s, 73 of the 131 subdistrict (tambon) were said to be infiltrated by the Vietnamese and Lao communists, it was known as the "heartland of insurgency".[citation needed] American and Thai forces established a base at Nakhon Phanom where the Thai military hosted the 56th Air Commando Wing which conducted special operations against both the Ho Chi Minh Trails in Laos and carried out counter insurgency operations against Thai Communist forces while conducting search and rescue operations primarily within Laos and North Vietnam.
Between 1967 and 1971, most of the communists were defeated and towards the end of the Vietnam War, American forces moved their Indochinese military operations to Nakhon Phanom.
Another point of interest: Ho Chi Minh resided at a small village on the road between the airbase and Nakhon Phanom between 1928 to 1931. Both his home and a new modern museum are now open to the public.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 12 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 97 subdistricts (tambon) and 1040 villages (muban).
1. Mueang Nakhon Phanom
2. Pla Pak
3. Tha Uthen
4. Ban Phaeng
5. That Phanom
6. Renu Nakhon
7. Na Kae
8. Si Songkhram
9. Na Wa
10. Phon Sawan
11. Na Thom
12. Wang Yang
Tourism
Wat Okat Si Bua Ban (วัดโอกาสศรีบัวบาน). The temple houses two ancient Buddha statues ‘Phra Tio’ and ‘Phra Thiam’, which are situated together. Phra Tio, 60 cm. high, was carved from ‘Tio’ wood and later covered with gold plate.
Wat Si Thep Pradittharam (วัดศรีเทพประดิษฐาราม). Besides housing beautiful murals regarding the Lord Buddha’s history, the temple also houses an important Buddha image called Phra Saeng. It was awarded by the Association of Siamese Architects for Best Preserved Architecture in the category of Places of Worship and Temples.
Wat Mahathat (วัดมหาธาตุ). The temple was built since the year 607 by Phraya Maha Ammat, the army leader from Vientiane. It houses an important stupa, Phrathat Nakhon.
St. Anna’s Church Nong Saeng (วัดนักบุญอันนา หนองแสง). Through its beautiful architecture, the church represents the town that houses people from different ethnicities. Before Christmas Eve of each year, Christians from different communities will make stars and place them in the church.
Wat Pho Si (วัดโพธิ์ศรี). The temple houses ‘Phra Thong’, a bronze Buddha image in the gesture of subduing Mara built in the Lan Xang style in the early Ayutthaya period. Phra Thong will be watered on the full moon day of the 6th lunar month.
Rama IX Park (สวนหลวง ร.9). Situated at the northern end of Nakhon Phanom city, the park was built to celebrate the 60th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King.
Si Khotrabun Golden Beach (หาดทรายทองศรีโคตรบูร) One of the most beautiful river beaches in Northeastern Thailand, the beach, from February to May, extends to the middle of the Mekong River and attracts lots of people.
Ban Na Chok (Ho Chi Minh’s House) (บ้านนาจอก/ บ้านโฮจิมินห์) The village was once a safe house for Ho Chi Minh, an ex-president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during 1924 -1931 when he led the war for Vietnam’s independence.
Phrathat Tha Uthen (พระธาตุท่าอุเทน). The large three-storey, 15-metre high stupa was built in 1911 to cover a tunnel containing precious items as well as to house Arhat’s relic from Yangon.
Phra Bang, Wat Trai Phum (พระบางวัดไตรภูมิ). Phra Bang is a standing Buddha image in the gesture of stopping the flood built in the Lan Xang style. The people believe that the sacred Buddha image always attracts rain whenever the image is taken in a rain-begging parade.
Phu Langka National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูลังกา). The park is blanketed by tropical rain forest, mixed deciduous forest and deciduous dipterocarp forest, which is a habitat for a number of wildlife, as well as watershed for many streams.
Namtok Tat Kham (น้ำตกตาดขาม). The small waterfall runs through 4 levels into a pond.
Namtok Tat Pho (น้ำตกตาดโพธิ์). Originating from the Phu Langka Range, the waterfall runs through 4 steep levels, each of which is over 10 metres high. The second level is 30 metres high.
Phrathat Phanom (พระธาตุพนม). The sacred stupa is located in the compound of Wat Phrathat Phanom Woramahawihan. The stupa is the real icon that nourishes the hearts of Nakhon Phanom’s people, as well as people from other provinces and Laotian Buddhists.
Renu Nakhon (เรณูนคร). Renu Nakhon is home to the Phu Thai ethnic group who strongly preserves their tradition such as welcoming guests with a ‘Bai Si’ ceremony, ‘Pha Laeng’ typical dinner party, with ‘U’ local liquor and traditional ‘Phu Thai’ dance.
Phrathat Renu (พระธาตุเรณู). The stupa houses the ‘Tipitaka’ – the three divisions of the Buddhist Canon, gold and silver Buddha statues, precious items and regalia of Nakhon Phanom’s rulers and noblemen.
Phrathat Si Khun (พระธาตุศรีคูณ). The stupa is a sacred place for Na Kae people. Phrathat Si Khun is similar to Phrathat Phanom, but it has different details.
Wat Phu Tham Phra (วัดภูถ้ำพระ). The temple houses Prasat Thong Pagoda that contains relics of the Lord Buddha and Arhats. This temple is a quiet place where a famous monk, Phra Achan Man Phurithata Thera, practiced his meditation.
Dan Sao Khoi (ดานสาวคอย). The hill-top rock terrace offers a nice view of Phrathat Phanom. In the past, it was a meeting point for couples before going to gather wild produce together.
Wat Phrathat Maha Chai (วัดพระธาตุมหาชัย). The 37 metre high stupa of Ban Maha Chai is regarded as a sacred monument as it houses relics of the Lord Buddha and Arhats. The temple also houses sacred Buddha images; namely, Phra Phutthachaiyasit, the principal Buddha image, as well as a Buddha image carved from a neem tree, which is the largest of its kind in Thailand.
Phrathat Prasit (พระธาตุประสิทธิ์). The sacred stupa houses the chest bone relic of the Lord Buddha. It is located 98 km. from Nakhon Phanom.
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