{"id":1192,"date":"2015-10-31T15:38:19","date_gmt":"2015-10-31T15:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/?p=1192"},"modified":"2015-11-01T01:40:41","modified_gmt":"2015-11-01T01:40:41","slug":"nakhon-phanom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/?p=1192","title":{"rendered":"Nakhon Phanom"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The name Nakhon Phanom, meaning \u201ccity of mountains\u201d, was given to the city by King Rama I. There are no mountains within Nakhon Phanom itself; the limestone mountains are concentrated in the city of Thakhek of Laos, which is on the other side of the Mekong. Nakhon Phanom should then mean a city where you can see mountains.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_082337.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_082337.jpg\" alt=\"20151027_082337\" width=\"2448\" height=\"3264\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1194\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The area was long settled by Lao people and belonged to the Lan Xang kingdom. Also after it came under the control of Ayutthaya the population stayed predominantly Lao. At first it was known as Si Kotrabun, and during the times of King Rama I as Maruka Nakhon.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_081734.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_081734.jpg\" alt=\"20151027_081734\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1195\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nakhon Phanom saw some of the most serious fighting between North Vietnamese insurgents and the US forces during the Vietnam War (or American War as the Vietnamese called it). During the 1960s, 73 of the 131 subdistrict (tambon) were said to be infiltrated by the Vietnamese and Lao communists, it was known as the \u201cheartland of insurgency\u201d.American and Thai forces established a base at Nakhon Phanom where the Thai military hosted the 56th Air Commando Wing which conducted special operations against both the Ho Chi Minh Trails in Laos and carried out counter insurgency operations against Thai Communist forces while conducting search and rescue operations primarily within Laos and North Vietnam.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_081445.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_081445.jpg\" alt=\"20151027_081445\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1196\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The provincial seal shows the pagoda of Phra That Phanom in That Phanom district. This highly revered religious building was originally constructed around 535 BC in Khmer style. The original pagoda collapsed in 1675 and was rebuilt in Lao style.<br \/>\nThe provincial tree, as well as flower, is Fagraea fragrans.<br \/>\nThe provincial slogan is The City of the Revered Phrathat Phanom, Cultural Diversity, Beautiful Phu Thai Ladies, Brilliant Illuminated Boat Procession and Picturesque Mekong River.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_193828.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_193828.jpg\" alt=\"20151027_193828\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1197\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p> The City of the Revered Phrathat Phanom, Cultural Diversity, Beautiful Phu Thai Ladies, Brilliant Illuminated Boat Procession, and Picturesque Mekong River.<br \/>\nNakhon Phanom, once the center of the ancient Sri Kotrabun Kingdom, lies along the western bank of the majestic Mekong River, although over the centuries it has moved back and forth across the river. The lovely setting of Nakhon Phanom town is enhanced by the rugged beauty of the jungle covered mountains that lie beyond the town of Thakaek on the Laotian side of the river. King Rama I chose the name Nakhon Phanom, city of mountains, because of the remarkable mountains found in the province.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_153057.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_153057.jpg\" alt=\"20151027_153057\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1198\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Partly a result of its long history, Nakhon Phanom is a melting pot of diverse ethnic cultures and traditions, particularly represented by the Lao, who have lent a strong influence to the architecture, customs, and cuisine of Nakhon Phanom, including the Bai-Sri-Su-Kwan welcoming ceremony.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_153107.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_153107.jpg\" alt=\"20151027_153107\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1199\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Covered with both high hills and low lying, forest covered plains, Nakhon Phanom is the site of Phra That Phanom, the most ancient and sacred religious monument in Northeastern Thailand. Thais and Laotians are both common pilgrims to this highly venerated Buddhist shrine where they come to ask for blessings.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_172337.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_172337.jpg\" alt=\"20151027_172337\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Throughout the history of Nakhon Phanom, Laotians and people from smaller ethnic minority groups migrated across the Mekong River giving modern Nakhon Phanom a distinctive cultural fusion that is apparent in the local language, customs, and cuisine. Visitors can appreciate this culture during the Bai-Sri-Su-Kwan ceremony or by witnessing one of the region\u2019s folk dances, such as the Sri Kotrabun, Fon Phu Thai, Sek-Ten-Sak, and So Tung Bung, some of which are only performed on special occasions.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_175439.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/20151027_175439.jpg\" alt=\"20151027_175439\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1201\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In addition to its rich culture, Nakhon Phanom, which literally means \u201ccity of hills\u201d is an area with great natural beauty and which features a number of opportunities for visitors to participate in outdoor activities, including trekking in the national park or shooting a round of golf.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/12.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/12.jpg\" alt=\"1\" width=\"280\" height=\"386\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1202\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tourist Information Center<br \/>\nTAT Nakhon Phanom<br \/>\n184\/1 Suntornvijit Road.<br \/>\nTambon Nai Mueang,<br \/>\nAmphoe Mueang,<br \/>\nNakhon Phanom 48000<br \/>\nTel 0 4251 3490-1<br \/>\nFax 0 4251 3492<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/phra-that-phanom\/\" target=\"_blank\">Phra that Phanom<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/dance-tradition-for-worship-phra-that-phanom\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dance Tradition for worship Phra That Phanom<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ifreedom.wwwss16.a2hosted.com\/travelthaiculture.com\/the-illuminated-boat\/\" target=\"_blank\">The illuminated boat<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The name Nakhon Phanom, meaning \u201ccity of mountains\u201d, was given to the city by King Rama I. There are no mountains within Nakhon Phanom itself; the limestone mountains are concentrated in the city of Thakhek of Laos, which is on the other side of the Mekong. Nakhon Phanom should then mean a city where you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travelthaiculture"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1192"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1240,"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1192\/revisions\/1240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laofree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}