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Nakhon Phanom Province
Nakhon Phanom, meaning 'city of mountains', is a province in upper northeastern Thailand situated along the west bank of the Mekong River, directly opposite the Laotian town of Thakhek. Covering 5,513 square kilometres with a population of around 710,000, it is known for its scenic riverside setting backed by the Phu Phan mountain ranges.
The province's name was bestowed by King Rama I and reflects the panoramic view of mountains rising across the Mekong in Laos. Its history is rooted in the 12th-century Kingdom of Sikhottaboon before the area came under Khmer influence in the 1500s. Nakhon Phanom is a cultural melting pot with significant Lao, Vietnamese, and other ethnic minority communities, visible in its architecture, cuisine, and festivals. That Phanom district is home to Phra That Phanom, one of the most revered chedis in the Mekong region and a major pilgrimage site, enshrining relics of the Buddha brought from India in the 8th year after his passing according to local tradition. A Vietnamese memorial to Ho Chi Minh, who lived in the province for a period, reflects the diverse historical connections of this riverside province.