Udon Thani
Province
Udon Thani ( Thai อุดรธานี ) is the capital of the district ( Amphoe ) and Udon Thani Province Udon Thani. The Udon Thani Province is located in the northeastern region of Thailand, Isan. The city has 143 081 inhabitants ( 2008).
Geography
Udon Thani is located about 60 kilometers south of the Lao border (Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge ) and 560 km north-east of Bangkok in a plane of Maenam Luang, one of the tributaries of the Mekong. Udon Thani is connected by road and rail with the capital Bangkok and has an airport ( UTH ) for intra- Thailand flights. Udon Thani is part of Isan, the Northeast of Thailand.
Religion
Buddhism is predominant in Udon Thani. Udon Thani is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Udon Thani.
Economic importance and
Udon Thani is a major trading town, especially in trade with Laos. The region is one of Thailand's rice chambers.
Traffic
Road
The city is located on major freeways:
- Thanon Mittraphap
- Asian Highway AH12
- Route 22
Airport
- Udon Thani Airport ( IATA: UTH )
Railway
- Udon Thani Railway Station (North East Line ) Bangkok to Nong Khai and Laos
History
The area around Udon Thani was already inhabited by 6,000 BCE, many traces can be detected. The oldest settlement in Thailand, Ban Chiang, is also not far away on the road to Sakon Nakhon, about 50 kilometers east of Udon Thani.
For a long time this area of Laos ( the kingdom of Lan Xang ) and the Khmer dominated (see History of Thailand ). In the meantime, it had the Burmese in the 18th century after the conquest of Laos ( Vientiane) collected before King Taksin was able to finally strike it in 1772 Thailand.
The city of Udon Thani was founded in the late 19th century by Prince Prajak Sillapakhom, a son of King Mongkut (Rama IV ), which in return is worshiped by its inhabitants to this day. The current King Bhumibol Adulyadejhat there has a summer house near the lake.
During the Vietnam War (1967 - 1975) many U.S. soldiers were stationed here, and in particular the airbase, which is now used by the Royal Thai Air Force.
Attractions
- To protect shrine for the good city of ghosts, city and population - Sao Lak Mueang; in contrast to most other shrines here are two pillars
- Buddhist temples ( Wat ) - consistently in recent times, for example: Wat Kham Chanot in Ban Dung
- Market events on the weekend market and at the night market
- Nong Prajak Park
- The Museum of Udon Thani - This museum was built in 1920, former school house on two floors with topics relating to Udon Thani.