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Bueng Kan Province
Bueng Kan is Thailand's 76th and newest province, carved out of the eastern districts of Nong Khai on 23 March 2011, situated in the northeastern corner of the country along the Mekong River border with Laos. Covering 4,305 square kilometres with a population of approximately 385,000, it is named after its central district, Mueang Bueng Kan.
The province borders Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon to the east and south, Nong Khai to the west, and Bolikhamsai Province of Laos to the north across the Mekong River. Phu Thok (meaning 'lonely mountain' in Isan), depicted on the provincial seal, is a dramatic sandstone peak in Si Wilai District whose sheer cliff faces and forest-draped plateaux are accessed by a network of wooden staircases clinging to the rock — one of northeast Thailand's most unusual hiking experiences. The wetlands and river islands along the Mekong support abundant birdlife, making Bueng Kan a destination for birdwatching enthusiasts. The Bueng Khong Long Non-Hunting Area protects a large lake and surrounding wetlands that shelter rare freshwater species. As the country's youngest province, Bueng Kan retains a frontier character with undeveloped landscapes and relatively light tourist infrastructure.