NONG KHAI PROVINCE

'Nong Khai' (Thai หนองคาย) is the northernmost of the north-eastern (Isan) provinces (''changwat'') of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south-east clockwise) Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani and Loei. To the north it borders Vientiane Province, Vientiane Prefecture and Bolikhamxai of Laos.

Contents

Geography

History

Symbols

Administrative divisions

External links

Geography

The province is located in the valley of the Mae Nam Kong (Mekong river), which also forms the border with Laos. To the south it has some highlands. The Laotian capital Vientiane is only 25 kilometers away from the provincial capital Nong Khai. The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge which connects them was built jointly by the governments of Thailand, Laos and Australia and was opened in 1994.

History

The area of the province changed ownership often, and it was part of the Laotian kingdom Lan Xang as well as part of the Thai kingdom Ayutthaya. See also the Haw wars.

Symbols

Provincial seal

The provincial seal shows a pond with bamboo around it. The bamboo symbolizes stability, glory and continuity for the peaceful and fertile land.The provincial tree is the tamalan or Burma pallisander (''Dalbergia oliveri)''.

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 13 districts (''Amphoe'') and 4 minor districts (''King Amphoe''). The districts are further subdivided into 115 communes (''tambon'') and 1099 villages (''muban'').

''Amphoe''		''King Amphoe''
#Mueang Nong Khai#Tha Bo#Bueng Kan#Phon Charoen#Phon Phisai#So Phisai#Si Chiang Mai	Sangkhom Seka Pak Khat Bueng Khong Long Si Wilai Bung Khla	Sa Khrai Fao Rai Rattanawapi Pho Tak

External links

★ Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand

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★ Website of province

★ Nong Khai provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp