Introduction

In the year 1626 A.D during the reign of King Rama III of Bangkok, King Anuwong of Vientiane rebelled and proclaimed Vientiane a kingdom not I.c. subject to Siam any more. He also led an army to capture people in the territory of Siam and brought them bock to Vientiane. In the suppression of this rebellion, Thao Suwo Thamma led an army from Muang Yasothon to join the army from Bangkok, and he subdued King Anuwong who was eventually sent down to Bangkok. King Rama III then gave a reward to Thao Suwo Thomma in terms of allowing him to select from four locations to be used as a town construction site. Thao Suwo Thamma finally selected the site at Ban Phai called Muang Nong Khai in the year 1827.

In the year 1891 Muang Nong Khai was the site of Monthon Lao Phruan (monthon = a semi-autonomous unit of administration comprising several provinces). In 1893 the Monthon Office was moved to Ban Mak Khaeng due to the loss of territory on the left bank of the Mekhong River to France. Later, in the year 1900, Monthon Udon was established at Ban Mak Khaeng, thus changing the status of Muang Nong Khai to be a province of Monthon Udon.

After the abolishment of the Monthon Thesaphiban Administration system in the year 1933, Nong Khai Province was removed from the control of Monthon Udon and has held provincial status ever since.

Changwat Nong Khai, one of Thailand's northeastern border provinces, is located on the right bank of the Mekhong River, opposite to Tha Dua of the Lao PDR. It occupies an area of approximately 7,332.28 square kilometers or the equivalent of about 4.5 million rai.

Geographic Characteristics
In general, Nong Khai is part of the river basin in the north. It is a plateau with deciduous forest in the east while the west has mountains and forest bordering forest area of Loei Province. The southern area is highland having on average altitude of 1,200 feet above sea level.
There are three seasons in Changwat Nong Khai. It is very hot in summer with a high temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. There are heavy rains during the rainy season due to its location adjacent to the Mekhong River. It is chilly during the winter season due to its highland nature with a low temperature of 11 degrees Celsius. 

Boundry
Bordering the Mekhong River, which marks the border of Thailand and the Lao PDR to the North;
Bordering Changwat Udon Thani and Changwat Sakon Nakhon to the south;
Bordering Changwat Nakhon Phanom to the east:
Bordering Changwat Loei to the west. 

Administration
Changwat Nong Khai is administratively divided into 10 Amphoes and 2 King Amphoes. 
They are: Muang Nong Khai, Bung Kan, Phon Phisai, Si Chiang Mai, Seka, Tha Bo, So Phisai, Sangkhom, Phon Charoen, Pak Khat, King Amphoe Bung Khong Long, and, King Amphoe Si Wilai.

Approximate distance from  Amphoe Muang to each of the others:  — Bung Kan 136 Km  — Phon Charoen 25 Km  — Soangkhom 99 Km  — Seka 215 Km  — Tha Bo 42 Km  — Phon Phisai 45 Km  — Si Chiang Mai 62 Km

Native Products
There ore several types of native products in Nong Khai Province. A few outstanding items are: hand-woven textiles, wickerwork, silverware, mu yaw (a specific type of preserved pork which can be safely kept for a long time), and Indian beach fruit.

How to get there

By Bus
The Transport Co. operates a daily bus services from Bangkok (ordinary and air-conditioned). For details, please contact Tel.(02)2710202-5 in Bangkok for ordinary buses, Tel.(02)279-4484-7 in Bangkok for air-conditioned buses and Tel. (042) 411612 in Nong Khai.

By Car 
Take highway No.2 pass Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Undorn Thani and to Nong Khai. The total distance is 616 km.

By Train
The Royal State Railway of Thailand operates daily train service. Derailed information can be obtained by dialing 223-7010 and 223-7020.

By Air
Those desiring to travel by air can fly to Changwat Udon Thani and then continue the trip by land transport (another 51 kilometers). Detailed information can be obtained from the Thai Airways International, Tel. 260-0070 and 280-0080.