Nong Khai Province

The provincial capital, Nong Khai city, lies directly opposite Vientiane, the capital of Laos, separated only by the Mekong River and connected since 1994 by the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge spanning 1.2 kilometres. The province was established on 1 April 1915 and was historically the northernmost Isan province until 2011, when its eastern districts were partitioned to form the new Bueng Kan province. Sala Keoku, a fantastical sculpture park created by the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat featuring statues up to 25 metres tall, is the province's most iconic attraction. The Naga Fireballs phenomenon — mysterious glowing orbs said to rise from the Mekong each October during the end of Buddhist Lent — draws large crowds to the riverbanks annually. Wat Pho Chai, housing a golden Laotian-style Buddha image called Luang Pho Phra Sai, is the province's most revered temple.