Nong Khai

Province

Nong Khai (also: Nong Kai in Thai หนองคาย ) is a city in the Thai province of Nong Khai. It is the capital of the Nong Khai province and the capital of the district ( Amphoe ) Mueang Nong Khai.

The town of Nong Khai ( เทศบาล เมือง หนองคาย - thesaban Mueang Nong Khai ) has 48 256 inhabitants ( 2012).

Location

Nong Khai is located in the northeast region of Thailand, Isan. Nong Khai is a city on the banks of the Mekong River, directly on the border with Laos. Bangkok is about 620 km; the distance to Vientiane, capital of Laos, is 24 km. About the opened in 1994 (first) Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge is a road link with Laos and the railway line Nong Khai - Vientiane. The nearest domestic airport is in Udon Thani.

Economic importance and

The main products are tobacco, cattle, water buffalo, and silk cultivation of tapioca.

The economic boom during the construction of the Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge between 1991 and 1994 has faded in the wake of the general economic crisis in Southeast Asia. The flourishing trade with Laos, is hampered by customs regulations. The tolerated duty-free trade on markets on the banks of the Mekong River was severely restricted in the 2000s by the Thai government to curb the drug trade. The city is a popular destination of domestic and foreign tourists, as it is estimated in western pensioners as quiet and cozy home in a tranquil atmosphere. " Retirement America" ​​sat Nong Khai in the list of the world's best destinations for retirees once reaching number 7

History

Nong Khai was in its centuries- long history, often the subject of disputes between Laos (Lan Chang) and Siam ( Ayutthaya ), later also threatened by the French colonial power. The influences can still be seen in architecture and lifestyle.

Impressions of Nong Khai

Waterfront downstream

Wat Pho Chai

Mee Wat Thung Sai, Nong Khai

Attractions

  • French Quarter - from the Lao colonial period, the atmosphere of street cafes and retailers has survived to this day.
  • Wat Pho Chai - the golden Buddha statue (height about 1.50 meters ) is called Luang Phra Sai; Wall frescoes tell the adventurous story of Buddha statue of the temple: King Puttha Yotfa Chulaloke ( Rama I ) wanted them out of Vientiane get to Bangkok, where the boat sank on the Mekong River and the statue was visible at low water level of the Mekong again until years later.
  • Wat Phra That - Laotian architecture, probably 2000 years old and built by Indian monks ( about 20-30 km outside the city)
  • Wat Putau Gong Maa - Chinese temple with animal statues and colorful kites.
  • Mee Wat Sai Thung - ( in the suburbs direction Friendship Bridge )
  • Mekong promenade with a view to Laos, several guest houses, restaurants, bars, boutiques and temples (the largest being Wat Lamduen ), at the downstream end of a chedi stands. The lighting of the promenade was, inter alia, by the EU financed.
  • Phra That Nong Khai - the core of a large sunken in 1849 in the Mekong Chedi (opposite the Chedi at the end of the waterfront, visible only in the dry and hot season when water level is low ).
  • Sao Lak Mueang - shrine for the good spirits who protect the city.
  • Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge - 1774 meter long bridge over the Mekong linking Laos with Thailand.
  • Prap Ho Memorial - in front of the town hall built to commemorate the defeat of the uprising of the Ho in 1886.
  • Sala Kaeo Ku - a park with more than 100 giant Buddha statues and other sculptures from the religious subject area.
  • Indochina market Tha Sadek - an interesting, covered market on the banks of the Mekong. Goods from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China are offered here.
  • Rocket Festival - takes place during the full moon in July
  • Nature experience on the Mekong - boat ride from Tha sadet
  • Naga Fireballs - This festival takes place in October. It celebrates the end of the rainy season and Buddhas return from the " Tavatimsa Heaven". In addition, it can be observed by ascend small fireballs from the Mekong at full moon a rare and unexplored natural phenomenon. A legend says that the Nagas ( water spirits in the form of snakes) so happy about the return of Buddha, that they spit in greeting fireballs from the Mekong. The phenomenon has not yet been investigated, the cause of the luminous phenomenon is unclear. It is assumed that accumulate during the rainy season fermentation gases in the riverbed of Mekong, the second in October towards the end of the rainy season - triggered by the full moon - rise and similarly ignite the wisps contact with oxygen. However, this is not seen in Nong Khai provincial capital itself, but a few miles outside in some other Amphoes upstream and downstream, particularly in Phon Phisai.
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