Nong Bua Lam Phu

Nong Bua Lam Phu is 568 kilometres from Bangkok. It used to be the site of an ancient city over 900 years ago and was once a part of Udon Thani Province. It was established as a province outright on December 1, 1993. It has an area of 3,859 square kilometres and consists of the following districts: Mueang, Non Sang, Si Bun Rueang, Na Klang, Suwannakhuha and Na Wang.

Festivals
Boon Bung Fai Festival (Rocket Festival)
In June of every year, the town hosts the exuberantly celebrated Boon Bung Fai Festival (Rocket Festival) amidst a carnival atmosphere. The two-day event is staged to ensure plentiful rains during the coming rice-planting season. The first day features a parade of carnival floats and huge, colorful bamboo rockets made by the locals themselves, as well as fairs, music and folk entertainment. The huge, homemade rockets are then launched on the second day.

holy Erawan Cave Pilgrimage
The annual, holy Erawan Cave Pilgrimage pays homage to the Buddha image situated in the cave perched atop a mountain in April.

King Naresuan the Great Fair
The King Naresuan the Great Fair is held on January 25th of every year to pay homage to the highly revered king and features religious ceremonies and fun-filled activities.

Samut Prakan

Samut Prakan (สมุทรปราการ), also known as Pak Nam, is located 29 kilometres south of Bangkok, around the area where the Chao Phraya river flows into the Gulf of Thailand. It is a town of the Ayutthaya period. Samut Prakan is home to countless historical and cultural sites. It occupies an area of 1,004 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 5 districts (Amphoes) and 1 sub-district (Ging Amphoe); Amphoe Muang Samut Prakan, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng, Amphoe Bang Phli, Amphoe Bang Bo, Amphoe Phra Sumut Chedi, and Ging Amphoe Bang Sao Thong.

Phatthalung

Phatthalung (พัทลุง) is an ancient city in southern Thailand. It is a land of mountains. In town is Khao Ok Thalu, which is clearly visible from afar. Phatthalung is regarded as the birthplace of the shadow play and the Nora dance. From ancient times to the present, Phatthalung has been closely linked to Songkhla Province, particularly in terms of geography, history and migratory settlements through many ages. During the Srivijaya period (13th-14th Buddhist century), the Phatthalung community received Indian cultural influence in the way of Mahayana Buddhism. In the reign of King Ramathibodi I (U Thong) of Ayutthaya, Phatthalung became one of twelve royal cities. Later during the reign of King Rama I in the Rattanakosin period, the king had the Ministry of Defense oversee Phatthalung, upgraded it to secondary city status and moved it to the mouth of Pam River.

When there was an administration reform in the reign of King Rama V, Phatthalung prefecture came under Nakhon Si Thammarat prefecture until 1924, when King Rama VI relocated the city to Tambon Khuha Sawan where it has been ever since. Upon the abolition of the prefecture system in 1933, Phatthalung became a province outright.

Phatthalung city is situated on the west bank of Songkhla Lake, about 846 kilometres from Bangkok. It has an area of 3,424.473 square kilometres and is divided into 10 districts and 1 sub-district, as follows: Mueang Phatthalung, Khuan Khanun, Pak Phayun, Kong Ra, Tamot, Khao Chaison, Pa Bon, Bang Kaeo, Si Banphot, Pa Phayom, and the sub-district of Srinagarindra.
source-http://www.moohin.com

Uthai Thani

Uthai Thani (Thai อุทัยธานี) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and Tak.

Originally Mon and Lawa settled in the area. A first Thai settlement in the area was Muang U Thai during the Sukhothai period, but was later abandoned when the river changed course. Patabeut, a member of the Karen ethnicity, revived the settlement at its currect place during the Ayutthaya period. It served as a fort protecting the boundary of the kingdom then.

Uthai Thani is most famous as being the hometown of the father of King Rama I. Rama I also renamed the city from its old name Uthai to Uthai Thani.

In 1892 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) added the area of Uthai Thani to the Monthon Nakhon Sawan, and in 1898 formed the province.

**** Burirum ****

Buri Ram (Thai: บุรีรัมย์) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and Surin. To the south-east it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia. The name Buri Ram means City of happiness.

Buriram is located at the southern end of the Khorat Plateau, with several extinct volcanoes around the province. Buri Ram was a settlement from the Khmer empire, and many ruins from that time are still visible there. The biggest of them on an extinct volcano is protected in the Phanom Rung historical park.

Nakhonsawan

Nakhon Sawan (Thai: นครสวรรค์) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring Provinces are (from north clockwise) Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Uthai Thani and Tak.

The Ping and Nan rivers merge near the city of Nakhon Sawan to form the Chao Phraya River. The Mae Wong National Park on the border with Khamphaeng Phet province was created in 1987 to preserve the Mae Wong-Mae Poen jungle.

Bueng Boraphet is the largest freshwater swamp in Thailand, in total covering 212 km². The swamp is located directly east of the town Nakhon Sawan and extends into the districts Tha Tako and Chum Saeng. During the winter months many waterfowls migrate there. Parts of the swamp are protected as a non-hunting area.

Khonkaen

Khon Kaen boasts of a lengthy history and has been the birthplace of so many thriving civilizations and cultures. This is an area where the first dinosaur fossils were found in Thailand. Once the quiet capital of one of the poorest provinces in the Northeast, it has undergone dramatic changes and is now a prosperous, bustling town. Located at the heart of the region, it is the focal point of many regional development projects, including the site of the region’s largest public university, commerce activities and abounds with beautiful, natural surroundings.

Khon Kaen is 445 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of about 10,886 square kilometres. It comprises the districts of Muang, Ban Phai, Phon, Nam Phong, Chum Phae, Phu Wiang, Mancha Khiri, Nong Ruea, Kranuan, Nong Song Hong, Chonnabot, Si Chomphu, Waeng Noi, Ubolratana, Ban Fang, Khao Suan Kwang, Phra Yuen, Waeng Yai, Pueai Noi, Phu Pha Man, Khok Pho Chai, Nong Na Kham, Sam Sung and Ban Haet

Wat Phra Kaew

The Wat Phra Kaew (English Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thai: วัดพระแก้ว; full official name Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, Thai: วัดพระศรีรัตนศาสดาราม) is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. It is located in the historic center of Bangkok (district Phra Nakhon), within the grounds of the Grand Palace.

The construction of the temple started when King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1785. Unlike other temples it does not contain living quarters for monks; rather, it has only the highly decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas.

The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the Emerald Buddha. There are three main doors used to enter the temple, however only the King and Queen are allowed to enter through the center door. Even though it is small in size it is the most important icon for Thai people. Legends hold that the statue originated in India, but it first surfaced in the vassal Kingdom of Cambodia and was given as a gift to the King of Ayuttaya in the 15th century 1434. The image disappeared when Burmese raiders sacked Ayuttaya and the image was feared lost. A century later, the 'Emerald' Buddha reappeared in Chiang Saen, after a rainstorm washed away some of its plaster covering. It was then moved to Chiang Rai, then Chiang Mai, where it was removed by prince Setatiratt to Luang Prabang, when his father died and he ascended the throne of that Siamese vassal state. In later years it was moved to the Siamese vassal state of Vientiene. During a Haw invasion from the North, Luang Prabang requested Siam's help in repelling the invaders. The King of Vietienne tratoriously attacked the Siamese army from the rear, so the 'Emerald' Buddha returned to Siam when King Taksin fought with Laos and his general Chakri (the later King Rama I) took it from Vientiane, which at that time had been brought to its knees by the Thai Army. It was first taken to Thonburi and in 1784 it was moved to its current location. Wat Preah Keo, in Phnom Penh, is considered by many modern Cambodians as its rightful resting place, whereas, Haw Phra Kaew, in Vientiane, is considered by many Lao people as the Emerald Buddha's rightful place.

The wall surrounding the temple area – from the outside only a plain white wall – is painted with scenes from the Thai version of the Ramayana mythology, the Ramakian. Several statues in the temple area resemble figures from this story, most notably the giants (yak), five-meter high statues. Also originating from the Ramayana are the monkey kings and giants which surround the golden chedis.

The Temple also contains a model of Angkor Wat, added by King Nangklao (Rama III), as the Khmer empire of Cambodia and the Thais share cultural and religious roots.

Nonthaburi

Nonthaburi (Thai: นนทบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom.

Nonthaburi is located directly north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river. The province is part of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In most parts it is as urbanized as the capital, and the boundary between the two provinces is nearly unrecognisable.

Nonthaburi was declared a city in the middle of the 16th century, which was previously a village named Talat Khwan. During the reign of King Prasat Thong, a canal was dug to create a shortcut of the flow of the Chao Phraya. The river changed its flow into the new canal, which is still the riverbed today. In 1665 King Narai built a fortress, as the shorter riverway was giving enemies an easier way to the capital Ayutthaya. The town was then also moved near the fortress.

Roi Et

Roi Et (Thai: ร้อยเอ็ด) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. Neighboring Provinces are (from north clockwise) Kalasin, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Sisaket, Surin and Maha Sarakham.

Name Roi Et translates to 101, which refers to the original 11 satellite cities around the main city as well as the 11 city gates. To express the importance of the city the number was exaggerated.

Most part of the province is covered by plains about 130-160 meters above sea level, drained by the Chi River. In the north of the province are the hills of the Phu Phan mountain range, with the Yang River as the major river. In the south is the Mun River, which also forms the boundary to the province of Surin. At the mouth of the Chi River, where it enters the Mun River, a big flooded basin provides a good rice farming area.

The area of the province was already settled during the times of the Khmer empire as several ruins show. However, the main history of the province began when Lao people from Champasak settled near Suwannaphum during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. King Taksin moved the city to its present site, then called Saket Nakhon.

Chainat

Chai Nat (Thai ชัยนาท) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and Uthai Thani.

Originally the city was located at Sankhaburi. In the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) the main settlement of the province was moved to its present-day location. During the wars with the Burmese it was an important military base to confront with the Burmese arms. As all these confrontations were successful the city gained the name Chai Nat, which means place of victory.

Chai Nat is located in the flat river plain of central Thailand's Chao Phraya River valley. In the south of the province the Chao Phraya (formerly Chai Nat) Dam impounds the Chao Phraya river, both for flood control as well as to divert water into the country's largest irrigation system for the irrigation of rice paddies in the lower river valley. The dam, part of the Greater Chao Phraya Project, was finished in 1957 and was the first dam constructed in Thailand.

Nakhon Panom

Nakhon Phanom is an upper north eastern region province of Thailand. The province inherited the Kotraboon Regime which was situated on the Maekhong Basin. The regime was known since early Krung Sri Ayuthya time. From E-Sarn (Northeastern) legend, the legend described that there was a king named Prachao Krung Srisatanakanahute. The king wanted his son-in-law (Chao Kota) to govern a town so he settled a new town called Sri Kotraboon. The town was situated near Hinboon estuary which was opposite Amphur Tha U-Tane. Sri Kotraboon was a satellite town of Vientiane then. Chao Kotra was enthroned and the first ruler was named Phraya Sri Kotraboon. Sri Kotraboon was ruled successively by kings. In the reign of Phraya Sri Kotrabong, the town was moved to Pamairoak District, near Srimung Creek on the Mae Khong riverbank.In Phraya Nakananuraks reign, Sri Kotraboon was changed her name. The new name was Marukhanakorn. In 2321 B.E. (1778), Phrachao Krung Thonburi ordered his generals, Phraya Mahakrasatsuk and Phraya Surasingh, to quash the uprising of Phrachao Siriboonsarn of Vientiane. The generals' army defeated the uprising and occupied Vientiane, Muang Nhongkai and Marukhanakorn. Phrachao Siriboonsarn and Phra Boromracha of Marukhanakorn escaped to Muang Kumkerd. After his successful mission, Phraya Mahakrasatsuk brought the Emerald Buddha idol, the Phra Bang idol and Phrachao Siriboonsarn's son to Krung Thonburi. After his enthronement, King Rama I assigned Chao Nanthasane, Phrachao Siriboonsarn's first son, to govern Vientiane. The Phra Bang idol was sent back to Vientiane. In 2334 B.E. (1791), Chao Nanthasane and Phra Boromracha planned for an uprising by asking for troops from Annam (Vietnam). King Rama I, the King of Siam, was informed by Annam's king. The accomplices were prosecuted and punished. Chao Inthawongse, Chao Nanthasane's younger brother, was sent to Vientiane for substitution. In 2337 B.E.(1794), Thao Sutta was appointed to be Phra Boromracha, the governor of Marukhanakorn. Before long, Marukhanakorn was changed its name to Muang Nakhon Phanom, a satellite town of Bangkok. In 2426 B.E. (1883), at the close of King Rama Is reign, Thao Boonmark was appointed to be Phra Panomnakaranurak, the governor of Muang Nakhon Phanom. After his 7- year-old term, the governor died. Rachabute Thongtip, his son, was assigned to be the governor. In 2434 B.E. (1891), there was a new government reformation in the Kingdom of Siam( Thailand). The Kingdom was devided into many Monthons (Precincts) such as: Monthon Laokao (Ubonratchathani Province), Monthon Laochiang (Chiangmai Province), Monthon Laopuan etc. Muang Nakhon Phanom was a town in Monthon Laopuan administrative unit. Muang Nhonkai was the headquarter of Monthon Laopuan. The governor of Monthon Laopuan was Prachao Nongyather Kromlung Prachaksilpakom. In 2442 B.E. (1899), the local government structure was reformed. There were many new positions in governmental personnel such as: governor, deputy governor, Krom Karn Muang etc. Upahaad To was appointed to be Phra Pitakpanomnakorn, the deputy governor. The Ministry of Interior, Bangkok sent the commissioner for Muang Nakhon Phanom. In 2454 B.E. (1911), Phra Vichitkunasarn (Oui Nakorntat) was appointed to be Phra Phanom Nakananurak, Nakhon Phanom governor.In 2457 B.E. (1914), the Kingdom of Siam introduced a new local government bill, a local governmental area reformation bill such as Monthon, Chanwat (Province), Amphur. Phra Vichitkunasarn (Oui Nakorntat) was the first governor of Muang Nakhon Phanom.

Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom (Thai: นครปฐม) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi.

The province features an ancient religious structure called “Phra Pathom Chedi”, the first religious landmark that signified the influx of Buddhism into Thailand. Nakhon Pathom is also renowned for its abundant fruits varieties and famous dishes.

The name Nakhon Pathom derives from the Pali Nagara Pathama, meaning First city, and is thus often referred as the oldest city of Thailand. It was already an important center during the Dvaravati kingdom from the 6th century until the 11th century, however it might even be older. Some historians speculate it dates back to the 3rd century BC, when Buddhist missionaries from India visited there.

Originally Nakhon Pathom was a coastal city, however due to the sedimentation of the Chao Phraya river the coast line moved away from the city. When the Tha Chin river changed its course, the city was removed from water and was deserted, the population moved to the new city of Nakhon Chaisi (or Sirichai). King Mongkut (Rama IV) moved the population back to the old city in 1870, after the restoration of Phra Pathom Chedi was finished.

Major movements of people into Nakhon Pathom province included emigration during and after the reign of King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) of Khmer villages (eg., Don Yai Hom village) Lanna (Baan Nua) and Lao Song villages (eg., Don Kanak village) as well as a major influx of Southern Chinese throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. Currently Nakhon Pathom is attracting migration from other parts of Thailand, notably Bangkok and the Northeastern Thai and Burmese migrant workers.