A quiet and tranquil province, Nan nestles in a
verdant valley in northern Thailand. About 668 kilometres from Bangkok,
it covers an area of 11,472 square kilometres and is made up of the
following districts: Mueang, Wiang Sa, Na Noi, Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha
Wang Pha, Thung Chang, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santi Suk, Bo
Kluea, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Song Khwae, and Phu Phiang.
The people of Nan descend from the Lan Changs (Laotians). Their
forebears moved to settle around present-day Pua district which is rich
in rock salt deposits, about 700 years ago at the time when Sukhothai
was becoming the kingdom of the Thais. They subsequently moved south to
the fertile Nan River basin which is much more extensive.
Nan's history is deeply involved with its neighbours, in particular
Sukhothai which played an important role in both political and
religious terms before Nan became a part of Lanna, Burma and Thailand
in that order. Today Nan is still the home of numerous Thai Lue and
other hilltribes who retain highly interesting customs and traditions.
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan and use Highway
No. 117 to Phitsanulok, Highway No. 11 to Amphoe Den Chai, then take
Highway No. 101 to Nan via Phrae, a total distance of 668 kilometres.
By Bus
Transport Co. Ltd. operates bus services from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Nan every day. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th
for more information. Other private companies are such as Phrae Tour
Tel: 0 2245 2369, Sombat Tour Tel: 0 2936 2495-6 and Choetchai Tour
Tel: 0 5471 0362 (Nan Office).
By Air
PB Air flies from Bangkok to Nan. Visit www.pbair.com for more information.
Distances from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts
Ban Luang
Chiang Klang
Thung Chang
Na Muen
Mae Charim
Song Khwae
Tha Wang Pha
Na Noi
Bo Kluea
Pua
Wiang Sa
Santi Suk |
76 kilometres
86 kilometres
80 kilometres
45 kilometres
38 kilometres
75 kilometres
43 kilometres
60 kilometres
133 kilometres
60 kilometres
25 kilometres
32 kilometres |
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