Nakhon Phanom
Nakhon Phanom province in the Mekong river valley consists largely of plains. Adjacent provinces are Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, and Bueng. The main river in the northern part is the Songkhram River with the smaller Oun River.
Nakhon Phanom, once the center of the ancient Sri Kotrabun Kingdom, lies along the western bank of the majestic Mekong River. It was once the center of the mythical principality of Sri Kotrabun, which asserted its authority along both banks of the Mekong from the 5th to the 10th century AD. The most important relic that can be found in Nakhon Phanom, 'city of mountains', is the temple Wat Phra That Phanom. This 'Wat' with its beautiful 57-meter high Stupa is visited daily with the offering of Lotus flowers, burning incense and candles. According to tradition, a sternum of Buddha is housed there.
The story of its construction is written on stone panels at the base of the chedi. The architectural style is described as Laotian and is one of the six royal temples in the country. The name was given to the city by King Rama I, but it was inhabited by people from Laos for a long time and belonged to the Lan Xang kingdom. The name “city of mountains” refers to the hills across the Mekong near the Laotian town of Thakhek. These have strongly influenced the architecture, customs and cuisine of Nakhon Phanom, including the Bai-Sri-Su-Kwan hospitable ceremony.
Water Spitting Naga (Inoprasom / Shutterstock.com)
It is striking that in 1840 King Rama lll invited a Vietnamese community of 150 families, who now live in Ban Na Chok. Ho Chi Minh also lived there from 1925 to 1930 on the run from the French colonial authorities. Many Vietnamese tourists visit his former home.
Nakhon Phanom and Thakhek are connected by a "bridge of friendship". This bridge with a length of 1423 meters was completed in November 2011 and is used for a visa run or to explore further Laos. More importantly, in 2019, this third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge has been developed into one of ten Special Economic Zones (SEZ) being built across the country. Examples include a trade fair centre, healthcare, hotel and sports complex.
The residents are proud of their characteristic city, which still has an authentic Thai appearance, as if time has stood still and hardly any English is spoken. This despite the fact that an American airport was located in the Vietnam War. The Mekong River served as natural protection.
The city has several sights and for enthusiasts you can take a one-hour trip on the Mekong and enjoy the sunset. It is also possible to rent a bicycle and enjoy the landscape on a well-laid cycle path along the Mekong River. Striking is the 7-headed, water-spitting Naga placed there. Buddha was protected by a Naga on his journey to enlightenment. The Naga is a mythical semi-deity in Buddhism.
Nakhon Phanom has had an airport since 1962.
Source: der Farang, ea
- Relocated in memory of Lodewijk Lagemaat † 24 February 2021 –