Nong Khai
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หนองคาย Nong Khai |
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| Coordinates | 17 ° 53 ' N , 102 ° 45' E | ||
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| Country | Thailand | ||
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| ISO 3166-2 | TH-43 | ||
| Residents | 48,256 (2012) | ||
 Old City Hall of Nong Khai
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Nong Khai (also: Nong Kai , in Thai หนองคาย ) is a city in the Thai province of Nong Khai . It is the capital of Nong Khai Province and the capital of Mueang Nong Khai County ( Amphoe ) .
The city of Nong Khai ( เทศบาล เมือง หนองคาย - Thesaban Mueang Nong Khai) has 48,256 inhabitants (as of 2012).
location
Nong Khai is located in the northeast region of Thailand , the Isan . Nong Khai is a city on the banks of the Mekong , right on the border with Laos . After Bangkok , there are about 620 km; the distance to Vientiane , the capital of Laos, is 24 km. The (first) Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge , opened in 1994, provides a road connection to Laos and the Nong Khai – Vientiane railway line . The closest domestic airport is in Udon Thani .
economy
The most important products from the agriculture of the surrounding area are tobacco , cattle , water buffalo , silk and tapioca .
The economic boom during the construction of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge between 1991 and 1994 fizzled out in the wake of the general economic crisis in Southeast Asia . Trade with Laos is flourishing but is hampered by customs regulations. The tolerated duty-free trade via markets on the banks of the Mekong was severely restricted by the Thai government in the 2000s in order to combat drug trafficking.
The city is a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists, and it is also valued by Western pensioners as a quiet and cozy domicile in a tranquil atmosphere. “Retirement America” put Nong Khai in 7th place on the list of the world's best retirement destinations.
traffic
Nong Khai has a train station where the Nakhon Ratchasima – Nong Khai railway ends, which connects to Bangkok . From there, the Nong Khai – Thanaleng railway leads north across the Mekong to Laos.
history
In its centuries of history, Nong Khai has often been the subject of clashes between Laos ( Lan Chang ) and Siam ( Ayutthaya ), later threatened by the French colonial power . The influences can still be seen today in architecture and lifestyle.
Impressions from Nong Khai
Promenade upstream
Promenade downstream
Wat Pho Chai
Wat Mee Sai Thung, Nong Khai
Attractions
- French Quarter - the atmosphere of the street cafes and retailers has been preserved from the Lao colonial era 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 the temple's Buddha statue: King Puttha Yotfa Chulalok ( Rama I ) wanted to bring it from Vientiane to Bangkok , whereby the boat sank on the Mekong and the statue was only visible again years later when the water level in the Mekong was low .
- 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 dragons.
- Wat Mee Sai Thung - (on the outskirts towards Friendship Bridge)
- Mekong waterfront with a view of Laos, several inns, restaurants, bars, boutiques and temples (the largest is Wat Lamduen), at the end of which there is a chedi downstream. The promenade was lit by the EU and a. co-financed.
- Phra That Nong Khai - the core of a large chedi that was sunk in the Mekong in 1849 (opposite the chedi at the end of the promenade, only visible in the dry and hot season when the water level is low).
- Sao Lak Mueang - sanctuary for the good spirits who protect the city.
- Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge - 1774-meter-long bridge over the Mekong that connects Laos with Thailand.
- Prap Ho Monument - erected in front of the City Hall to commemorate the suppression of the Ho uprising in 1886 .
- Sala Kaeo Ku - a park with over 100 huge Buddha statues and other sculptures from the religious thematic area.
- Indochina Market Tha Sadet - 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 - by boat trip from Tha Sadet
- Naga Fireballs - This festival takes place in October. It celebrates the end of the rainy season and Buddha's return from "Tavatimsa Heaven". In addition, a rare and unexplored natural phenomenon can be observed when small fireballs rise from the Mekong during a full moon. A legend tells that the Nagas (water spirits in the form of snakes) are so happy about the return of the Buddha that they spit fireballs from the Mekong to greet them. The phenomenon has not yet been investigated and the cause of the luminous phenomena is unclear. It is assumed that fermentation gases collect in the river bed of the Mekong during the rainy season, which then rise in October towards the end of the rainy season - triggered by the full moon - and ignite , similar to the will- o'- the- wisps, upon contact with oxygen. However, this cannot be seen in the provincial capital Nong Khai itself, but a few kilometers outside in some other amphoes upstream and downstream, especially in Phon Phisai.
Personalities
- Nattawut Chootiwat (* 1999), football player
- Sarawut Masuk (* 1990), football player
- Ampai Mutaporn (* 1985), football player
- Tanachai Noorach (* 1992), football player
- Jakkapan Pornsai (* 1987), soccer player
Individual evidence
Web links
- City map of Nong Khai (names in Anglish and Thai) [last accessed on November 14, 2013]
