Nong Bua Lamphu Province
| Nong Bua Lam Phu หนองบัวลำภู | ||
|---|---|---|
| Province | ||
| ||
 Map of Thailand highlighting Nong Bua Lam Phu Province | ||
| Country |
 Thailand | |
| Capital | Nong Bua Lam Phu | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Somsak Suwansutcharit (since October 2009) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3,859 km2 (1,490 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | Ranked 55th | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 508,864 | |
| • Rank | Ranked 51st | |
| • Density | 130/km2 (340/sq mi) | |
| • Density rank | Ranked 33rd | |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-39 | |
Nong Bua Lam Phu (Thai: หนองบัวลำภู, pronounced [nɔ̌ːŋ būa lām pʰūː]) is one of the northeastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Loei.
Geography
Nong Bua Lam Phu is in the heart of the Khorat Plateau.
Archaeological remains
Chalawan, an extinct genus of crocodylin, is known solely from its holotype collected in the early 1980s from a road-cut near the town of Nong Bua Lam Phu, in the upper part of the Phu Kradung Formation. This single specimen is the most well preserved vertebrate fossil that has been found from the formation. It contains a single species, Chalawan thailandicus.[1]
History
Nong Bua Lam Phu is famous as the spot where in the 16th century Naresuan, the king-liberator of Siam, came to learn of the outcome of a war between the Lao and Burmese in the area of Vientiane. This place was long a Lao stronghold. During the existence of the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang (1354–1707), Nong Bua Lam Phu was traditionally given to the crown prince (Uparat) to rule. It was the birthplace of the principal wife of Chao Siribunyasan (พระเจ้าศิริบุญสาร), the last independent king of Vientiane.[2] In 1827, Chao Anou of Vientiane designated Phagna Narin to be governor at the onset of the Laotian Rebellion of 1826-1828.
Under Thai rule, the province originally consisted of five amphoe (districts) in Udon Thani Province. In 1993 Udon was decentralized and a separate province of Nong Bua Lam Phu was created. It is one of the newest provinces of Thailand, together with Amnat Charoen Province, Sa Kaeo Province, and Bueng Kan Province.
Symbols
| The seal of the province shows King Naresuan in a shrine. This shrine was built to commemorate the visit of King Naresuan to the city of Nong Bua Lam Phu in 1574 when he was gathering troops to fight the Burmese kingdom of Taungoo. Behind the shrine is a pond with lotus flowers (Nymphaea lotus), which is the provincial flower. The provincial tree is the Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), |
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into six districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 59 sub-districts (tambon) and 636 villages (muban).
Tourism
Sights
Monument and shrine of King Naresuan the Great (พระอนุสาวรีย์และศาลสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช) Built to commemorate King Naresuan the Great. who in 1574 led his army from Nong Bua Lam Phu to Vientiane under orders of the King of Hongsa, the kingdom of Burma which ruled Thailand at that time.
Nong Bua(หนองบัว) This big pond is in front of city hall. As it never dries, the pond with the backdrop of the Phu Phan Kham Range is popular with Nong Bua Lampu residents.
Phra Wor Phra Ta City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมืองพระวอ พระตา) The city pillar shrine was built to honor Phra Wor and Phra Ta, who founded the city.
Namtok Huay To Botanical Park (วนอุทยานน้ำตกเฒ่าโต้) This shady park is a popular place for picnics. The secreted shrine of Pu Loop is nearby.
Shell Fossil Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์หอยหิน ๑๕๐ ล้านปี) The museum features fossils of shells from the Jurassic period, dating to 140-150 million years ago. In the nearby area, 60 dinosaur fossils can be seen in the layer of siltstone, above the layer where the fossils of shells and ancient crocodiles are found.
Wat Tham Klong Pen (วัดถ้ำกลองเพล) This is the province's famed forest temple. Blanketed with lush vegetable and decorated with rock garden, the temple is shady and peaceful. The main hall (ubosot) houses a statue of Luang Pu Khao and two-sided ancient drum or Klong Pen.
Museum of Luang Pu Lod (พิพิธภัณฑ์หลวงปู่หลอด) In the compound of Wat Tham Klong Pen is the Pmotita Pagoda, which houses a relic of Buddha sent from Nepal.
Wat Sri Koon Muang (วัดศรีคูณเมือง) On Worarat Road, the ancient temple houses ancient stone leaves which are significant archeological artifacts, and "Luang Por Phra Chaichettha" a Buddha statue in Laotian-style.
Phu Phan Noi (ภูพานน้อย) The mountain provides great view point "Dao Bon Din" or "Stars On the Ground".
None Wat Pa (โนนวัดป่า) The historical site once was an ancient temple as a stone Buddha image in the attitude of sitting under the protection of Naga. Ancient architecture and antiques from the Khmer era are found here.
Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูเก้า-ภูพานคำ) The park features two sandstone mountains. It is blanketed by deciduous dipterocarp forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, and dry evergreen forest. Park headquarters is by the reservoir of Ubol Ratana Dam, close to Phu Khan Kham.
Phu Phan Kham (ภูพานคำ) The mountain range, which is part of Phu Phan Range, is east of the Phong River Basin.
Phu Khao (ภูเก้า) A rugged sandstone mountain range in the shape of a pan. It includes nine mountains. Home of abundant wildlife, all nine mountains are blanketed with lush forest.
Wat Phra Buddha Bat Phu Khao The ancient temple houses two gigantic footprints, of a human and a dog, on the rock. In its compound, there are Tham Mum and Tham Archan Sim, the caves which house prehistoric paintings and carving on the walls.
Tham Sua Tok, Tham Pla Hai, Tham Chek The caves are interesting archeological sites. They house cave painting and carving which can be dated back to 1,500 years ago.
Ham Tang Stone Pillar The area is filled up with rocks in different weird shapes. The outstanding one is huge rock sitting on the other like mushroom, making it a remarkable natural sculpture.
Hor Sawan The rock-top pavilion is amazingly built on a huge rock sitting by 30-metre high cliff.
Tad Fah Waterfall The small waterfall cascades through mixed dipterocarp forest before plunging seven metres into big pool below.
None Don Klang Archeological Site (Ban Kud Kwang Soy) แหล่งโบราณคดีโนนดอนกลาง (บ้านกุดกวางสร้อย) Prehistoric artifacts found here include terracotta similar to those at Ban Chiang, human skeletons, bronze and stone bracelets, glass beads, sandstone moulds for bronze axes, and steel tools. Some artifacts are kept at the National Museum in Khon Kaen, some are displayed in the village museum.
Tham Erawan (ถ้ำเอราวัณ) There is a big Buddha statue at the cave's entrance which leads to a huge hall naturally decorated with rock formations. This cave is a scene in local legends "Nong Phom Hom" or "the lady with fragrant hair".
Tham Pha Wiang (ถ้ำผาเวียง) The cave is in a picturesque mountain range called Phu Pha Wiang, with rock formation and stalagmites.
Wat Santitham Banpot or Wat Pa Phu Noi (วัดสันติธรรมบรรพต หรือ วัดป่าภูน้อย) Besides offering very nice place for practising meditation, the temple houses Buddha footprint and eight groups of stone leaves sitting in eight directions. Each group includes four stone leaves, some feature carving in Bhotisattva and pagoda's crest.
Wooden Ubosoth of Wat Chaoreon Songtham (สิมไม้วัดเจริญทรงธรรม) The wooden chapel or ubosot is compact in size and rectangular in shape. The high roof provides good air ventilation. The ubosot has delicate carving on the roof, and gablea with neatly carved garudas.
Tham Suwan Kuha (ถ้ำสุวรรณคูหา) The cave houses antiques and a portrait of King Chai Shettha of Vientiane.
Phu Pha Ya Archeological Site (แหล่งโบราณคดีภูผายา) Many prehistoric cave painting are found here. The first group of painting include pictures of geometric shapes, animals, and hands. The second group includes pictures of stars, man, reptiles. All the pictures were painted in red and scattered in small groups. These paintings are estimated to be 2,000–3,000 years old.
Wat Pa Phufang Santitham (วัดป่าภูฝางสันติธรรม) The temple is built in modern style.
Local products
Ban Kong Sawan Pottery Village (หมู่บ้านหัตถกรรมปั้นหม้อบ้านโค้งสวรรค์) The village is known for its traditional terra cotta products.
Calathea Rice container (กระติ้บข้าวจากคล้า) The village of Ban Huak, Tambon Sri Boonruang, Amphoe Sri Boonruang is famous for rice containers woven from calathea.
Kud Hae Silk (ผ้าไหมกุดแห่) Silk cloth woven here is well-known and has won many national awards.
Culture
Festivals
Naresuan Maharaja and Nong Bua Lam Phu Red Cross Fair The fair is held annually between 25 January-3 February at Naresuan Maharaja Field, Amphoe Muang.
Boon Khao Chee Festivals The festival is held annually during the 13-15th days of the waxing moon in February at Wat Tham Suwan Kuha, Ban Kuha Pattana, Amphoe Suwan Kuha. The annual celebration and merit making of Amphoe Suwan Kuha features gigantic khao chee, a local dish made from roasted sticky rice dipped in egg and sugar cane juice.
Tham Erawan Festival The festival is held between 12-15 April each year at Hat None Yao, Amphoe None Sang.
Annual Festival of Pu Loop Shrine and Phra Wor Phra Ta Shrine The rite is held annually on the first Wednesday and Thursday of May at Phra Wor Phra Ta Shrine and Pu Loop Shrine in Amphoe Muang.
Rocket Festivals of Amphoe Sri Boonruang The festival is held annually on the full moon day of May at the field of Amphoe Sri Boonruang. Rockets in huge sizes, or Bang Fai Lan, are decorated before launching high into the sky. The local festival of Sri Boonruang is one of 12 festivals of the northeastern region. The rocket is a present for Phaya Thaen, the god who will ensure rain.
Banana Fair The fair is held between 25–27 July at Ban Suan Sawan, Tambon Wangthong, Amphoe Na Wang.
Namtok Thao To Festival The annual festival is held every 14–15 September at Namtok Thao To Park, Amphoe Muang.
References
- ↑ Martin, J. E.; Lauprasert, K.; Buffetaut, E.; Liard, R.; Suteethorn, V. (2013). Angielczyk, Kenneth, ed. "A large pholidosaurid in the Phu Kradung Formation of north-eastern Thailand". Palaeontology: n/a. doi:10.1111/pala.12086.
- ↑ Mayurī Ngaosīvat; Pheuiphanh Ngaosyvathn. "I. The Fabric of History. 1. Lao And Thai Contemporaries Of The Drama Speak Out". Paths to conflagration: fifty years of diplomacy and warfare in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, 1778–1828. Cornell University: Southeast Asia Program. ISBN 0877277230. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
Born to Siribunyasan (r. 1760-1779), the last independent king of Vientiane, and a princess from the principality of Nong Bua Lam Phu, Chao Anou eventually presided as monarch over both sides of the Mekong River
External links
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Website of province (Thai only)
- Nong Bua Lam Phu provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
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Udon Thani Province | | ||
| Loei Province |  |
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| Khon Kaen Province |
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Coordinates: 17°10′N 102°23′E / 17.167°N 102.383°E