Nakhon Phanom (นครพนม)

Thai-Sanskrit-Khmer. ‘City of hills’. A provincial capital in Northeast Thailand with a population of around 34,000 and situated approximately 740 kms from Bangkok, in a province (map) of the same name. The location of the city was in the past of strategic importance and it was at one time the capital of a regional kingdom called Sri Kohtraboon (ศรีโคตรบูรณ์). The province of Nakhon Phanom borders with Laos and is situated on the right bank of the Mae Khong River, opposite of the Laotian city of Tha Khaek (ท่าแขก). According to early historical records, the area was in the past coextensive with the kingdom of Sri Kohtraboon, which territory initially expanded into the land on the left bank of the Mae Khong River. Over time, the borders it encompassed changed and its capital moved back and forth to the either side of the river, several times. Around the time when King Rama I conquered Vientiane, he changed the name of this area, initially into Maruka Nakhon (มรุกขนคร). Later, he issued a royal decree, renaming the area Nakhon Phanom, referring to the landscape of limestone mountains on the left bank of the Mae Khong River. However, this area is today Laotian territory and present-day Nakhon Phanom no longer includes the mountains, after which it was named. Partly due to the presence of the Mae Khong River the area has long been a prospering centre of culture and trade, inhabited by several different tribes and with a rich cultural heritage. During the Vietnam War, a large part of the province was allegedly infiltrated by Vietnamese and Lao communists, whilst American and Thai forces established a base in the area, in order to conduct military operations against the communist insurgency in Laos and northern Vietnam, as well as search and rescue operations. Because of its history the population of Nakhon Phanom is today predominantly of Lao origin. Places of interest include Wat Phrathat Phanom Woramahawihaan (fig.), a temple with a stupa in Laotian style and housing a relic of the Buddha. This province has eleven amphur and one king amphur. See also Nakhon Phanom data file. 回