Nakornphanom
is an upper north eastern region province of Thailand. The province inherited
the Kotraboon Empire which was situated on the Maekhong basin. The empire was
known since early Krung Sri Ayuthya timw.
From E-Sarn (north eastern)
legend, the legend described that there was a king named Phrachao 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 Kota 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 Maekhong River bank.
In Phra Nakaranurakus 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 Kumderd.
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 Nanthasen, Phrachao Siriboonsarn's
first son, to govern Vientiane. The Phra Bang idol was sent back to Vientiane.
In
2334 B.E. (1791), Chao Nanthasen and Phra Boromracha planned for an uprising by
asking for troops from Annam (Vietnam). King Rama I, King of Siam, was informed
by Annam's king.
The accomplices were prosecuted and punished. Chao inthawongse,
Chao Nanthasen younger brother, was sent to Vientiane for substitution.
In 2337 B.E. (1794), Thao sutta was appointed to be Phra
Boromracha, the governor of Marukhannakorn. Before long, Marukhannakorn was
changed its name to Muang Nakornphanom, a satellite town of Bangkok.
In 2426 B.E. (1883), at the close of King Rama lus reign, Thao
Boonmark was appointed to be Phra Panomnakaranurak, the governor of Muang
Nakornphanom. After his 7-year-old term, the governor died. Rachabute Thongthip,
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
divided into many monthons (precincts) such as : Monthon Laokao (Ubolrachathani
Province), Monthon Laochiang (Chiangmai Province), Monthon Laopuan etc. Muang
Nakornphanom was a town in Monthon Laopuan administrative unit, Muang Nhongkai
was the headquarter of Monthon Laopuan. The governor of Monthon Laopuan was
Phrachao Nongyather Kromluang 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 commissioner for Muang Nakornphanom was sent by the Ministry of Interior,
Bangkok.
In 2454 B.E. (1911), Phra Vichitkunasarn (Oui Nakorntat) was
appointed to be Phra Panomnakaranurak, Nakornphanom governor.
2457 B.E.
(1914), the Kingdom of Siam introduced a new local governmental bill, a local
governmental area reformation bill such as : Monthon, Changwat (Province),
Amphur. Phra Panomnakaranurak (Oui Nakorntat) was the first governor of Muang (Changwat)
Nakornphanom.
Geographical location and government
:
Location :
Nakornphanom is an upper north eastern
province of Thailand. It has an area of 5,512.6 square kilometers. Along the
Maekhong River bank, from one end to another, the distance is 150 kilometers.
The province is 750 kilometers from Bangkok.
Bounderies :
The North :
adjacent to Amphur Zeka, Nhongkai Province.
The South : adjacent to Sub-amphur
Vaanyai and Amphur Dongluang, Mukdaharn Province.
The East : adjacent to
Kummuan Prefecture and Suwannaket Prefecture, Laos.
The West : adjacent to
Amphur Kusumarn, Amphur Akart Amnoai, Sakolnakorn Province.
Government :
Nakornphanom
consists of 10 amphurs, 1 sub-amphur, 88 tambons and 914 villages.
The amphurs are Amphur Muang. Amphur Tha U-tane, Amphur Banpheng,
Amphur Srisongkram, Amphur Nawa, Amphur Plapak, Amphur Renoonakorn, Amphur Nakae,
Amphur Thatpanom, Amphur Phonesawan, Sub-Amphur wangyang and Sub-Amphur Nathom.
There are 1 municipal, 9 Sub-municipals and 81 tambon councils.
Nakornphanom
chose 4 representatives for member of the House of Representatives.
Population
: 611}903 ; 301}963 male, 309,940 female 117,655 families, 106,474
houses (in 1992)
Race : consists of Thai-Lao, Kha, yor, Poothai,
Zo, Saek, Kalerng
Tourist resources and mass communication :
Tourist
resources ; There are 3 major holy places of Buddhism. They are Phra Thatphanom
Monastery, Phrathat Renoo, Phrathat Tha U-Tane. Trad Kham and Trad Pho are
beautiful falls in the rainy season. In October every year, Lai Rua Fai Festival
is a very wonderful and magnificent festival that the fourists shouldn't miss.
Mass communication :
There are 3 local Am radio stations, 2 T.V. transfer stations and 4 local
newspapers.
Economics :
Crops : rice, tobacco, sugarcane, maize,
Pea, peanut, tepioca, jute fruits, vegetables.
Fisheries : fresh water fishery in the Maekhong River and fresh water
fish ponds.
Livestock : cattle, water buffaloes, goats, horses, sheep,
swine, poultry