Details in this Area:
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Country:
Thailand (Siam) |
Area:
North-East (Isan) |
Province:
Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen |
Cities:
Pla Pak, Khumpawapi, Non Sa-at, Si That, Thakhanto, Khok Si Suphan, Na Kae, Khao Suan Kwang, Don Luang, Sahatsakhan, Somdet, Khao Wong, Na Mon, Huai Phung, Khuchinarai, Kalasin, Kamalasai, Rong Kham, Pho Chai, Phon Thong, Kae Dam, Roi Et, Tawatchaburi, Borabu, Sai Mun, Kut Chum, Na Chuak, Pa Tui, Hua Taphan, Na Pho, Pathum Rat, Na Dun, Khamkhuan Kaeo |
Islands:
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National Parks:
Lampao NP |
Temple:
Wat Phra Mongkol |
Mountains:
Phu Khaeng, Phu Lan Chang |
Others:
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Text used with permission: |
Udon Thani |
Udon Thani, a northeastern province covering an area of 11,730 square kilometers, is a prime business center of I-San. Located 564 kilometers from Bangkok, it the world heritage site for the prehistoric culture of Ban Chiang.
Udon Thani is probably best known for its archaeological wonders, paramount among them the hamlet of Ban Chiang where the world's first Bronze Age civilization is believed to have flourished more than 5,000 years ago.
Udon Thani borders Nong Khai to the north, Khon Kaen to the south, Sakon Nakhon to the east and Nongbualamphu and Loei to the west. The province is located on a plateau which is approximately 187 metres above sea level. Most of its areas are covered with rice fields, forests and hills, with the Phu Pan mountain ranges and the Songkhram River are the provinces 2 main natural resources.
The locals are mainly engaged in agricultural activities, with particular rising in wholesale and retail trading activities. That is why Udon Thani is an agricultural market hub or neighboring provinces.
Udon Thani's provincial seal depicts God Wetsuwan, King of the giants and keeper of the Northern Heavenly Gate.
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Sakon Nakhon |
Sakon Nakhon is in the upper Northeast. It is on the Phu Phan mountain range and
has many forest temple retreats for meditation. These temples are also where
famous monks well known in meditation circles reside.
Sakon Nakhon is 647 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 9,605 square
kilometres. Sakon Nakhon consists of the following districts: Muang Sakon
Nakhon, Waritchaphum, Kut Bak, Kusuman, Ban Muang, Phanna Nikhom, Sawang Daen
Din, Wanon Niwat, Phang Khon, Akat Amnuai, Song Dao, Kham Ta Kla, Tao Ngoi, Khok
Si Suphan, Nikhom Nam Un, Charoen Sin, Phon Na Kaeo and Phu Phan.
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Nakhon Phanom |
Located on the right bank of the majestic Mekong River is Nakhon Phanom an ancient city with a name that literally means of City of Hills. The lovely setting of the provincial capital is enhanced by the rugged beauty of jungle covered mountains which lie beyond the Laotian town of Tha Khaek, located on the opposite bank of the river. Nakhon Phanom is renowned as a great place with beautiful scenery and relaxing ambiance by the Mekong River.
With a history that dates back many thousands of years, the province is a melting pot of diverse ethnic cultures and traditions. However, the culture with the strongest influence on the architecture, customs and cuisine of the province is the Lao culture.
Encompassing a total area of 5,512 square kilometers, most of which are high hills and plains covered with lush and virgin forests, Nakhon Phanom is where Phra That Phanom, the most sacred and ancient religious monument of the Northeast, is located. Both Thais and Laotians usually make their pilgrimage to this highly venerated site to ask for blessings. In addition, visitors can experience the unique fusion of Thai and Lao arts and culture through customs such as the Bai-Sri-Su-Kwan ceremony (the extension of a generous welcome to guests when a potent brew of home-made liquor is usually served).
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Kalasin |
Kalasin, the land of Pong Lang music and the famous Phrae Wa cloth, is 519 kilometres from Bangkok. It is the site of the ancient city of Fa Daet Song Yang and one of the largest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in northeastern Thailand.
Kalasin has an area of 6,946 square kilometres. It is divided into 18 districts (Amphoe): Mueang Kalasin, Yang Talat, Kamalasai, Sahatsakhan, Kuchi Narai, Tha Khantho, Somdet, Khao Wong, Huai Mek, Kham Muang, Nong Kung Si, Na Mon, Huai Phung, Rong Kham, Na Khu, Sam Chai, Don Chan and Khong Chai.
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Mukdahan |
Mukdahan is a peaceful province located on the bank of the Mekong River, opposite Sawannakhet in Laos. The ancestors of the Mukdahan people migrated from Laos to establish the city in the late Ayutthaya period. The province has always been an interesting mixture of cultures from various tribes since ancient times. Moreover, it is a land of fantastic natural rock parks and is a major gateway to tourism in Laos and Vietnam. The province is renowned for its sweet tamarind fruit and features many natural attractions.
Mukdahan has an area of 4,339 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Kham Cha-I, Nikhom Kham Soi, Don Tan, Dong Luang, Wan Yai, and Nong Sung.
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Roi Et |
Roi Et town is built around a large artificial lake,Bung Phlan Chai,where a large,walking Buddha statns on a small island in its centre. Tall Buddhas are popular in Roi Et as Wat Buraphaphiram features a 68-metres walking Buddha,with a staircase that enables visitors to climb to knee-high level. Sixty kilometres outside of town, Ku Kasing is a large Khmer sanctuary dating from the 11 th century,and under restoration.
Handicrafts are the province's main product,particularly the Isan khaen, a kind of panpipe made from wood and reeds. These are best made in the small village of Si Kaew. Thanon Phadung Phanit is a good place to buy silk and cotton fabric.
Roi Et has an area of about 8,299 square kilometres, consisting of the following districts: Mueang, Thawat Buri, Selaphum, Phon Thong, Nong Phok, At Samat, Phanom Phrai, Chaturaphak Phiman, Kaset Wisai, Suwannaphum, Pathum Rat, Pho Chai, Mueang Suang, Phon Sai, Moei Wadi, Si Somdet, Changhan, Chiang Khwan, Nong Hi and Thung Khao Luang.
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Maha Sarakham |
Situated in the heart of Northeastern Thailand, the small province of Maha Sarakham is considered to be a regional education centre, earning the name "Taksila of Isan" (Taksila was a city where education of all branches centered around in ancient India). The province also houses a sacred Buddha image and has many historical sites, with the province being the former site of the ancient Dvaravati city of Nakhon Champa Si. Maha Sarakham's beautiful hand woven silk and cotton fabrics are sought after for their original patterns.
Maha Sarakham is 470 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of approximately 5,291 square kilometres. The province is divided into the following districts: Muang, Kantharawichai, Kosum Phisai, Wapi Pathum, Borabue, Phayakkhaphum Phisai, Na Chueak, Chiang Yuen, Na Dun, Kae Dam,Yang Si Surat, Kut Rang and Chuen Chom.
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Yasothon |
Yasothon is famous for its boisterous Rocket Festival every May,when giant home-made missiles are launched into the air in a symbolic rain-making gesture.
In the town at Wat Mahathat,Phra That Yasothon is a much-visited Lao-style chedi,said to be over 1,200 years old. It enshrines holy relics of Phra Ananda,one of Lord Buddha's chief disciples. That Kong Khao Noi is an ancient Khmer chedi with a much revered brick and stucco Buddha that is ritually bathed every April. The handicraft village of Ban Si Than is famed for the triangular pillows used in most Thai households.
Yasothon has an area of 4,161 square kilometres. It is divided into the following districts: Muang, Kham Khuean Kaeo, Maha Chana Chai, Pa Tio, Loeng Nok Tha, Kut Chum, Kho Wang, Sai Mun and Thai Charoen.
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Amnat Charoen |
Amnart Charoen is located in the south of northern plateau approximately 583 kilometres from Bangkok. It is a newly established province upgraded from Amphur Amnart Charoen of Ubon Ratchathani Province in 1993.
The province is divided into the following districts: Muang, Chanuman, Phana, Hua Taphan, Senangkhanikhom, Pathum Ratchawongsa and Lue Amnart.
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