Nong Khai
Encyclopedia
Nong Khai is a city in North-East Thailand
and is the capital of the Nong Khai Province
. It is situated on the Mekong
River and is the site of the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across to Laos
.The Thai-Lao Friendship bridge was largely funded by a gift to the Lao Government by the Australian Keating Labour Government. It is the Thai gateway to the Laos' capital of Vientiane
, 25 kilometers up river, on the North bank opposite the Thai town of Sri Chiang Mai
. At the time of its building, space for a rail track was installed along the center of the roadway to the Laos side. Construction of an extension to Tha Na Lang outside of Vientiane was begun early 2007, and officially opened March 5, 2009.
Nong Khai city is administered as Amphoe Mueang Nong Khai
.
Nong Khai's main sight is Sala Keoku
(alternatively spelled as Sala Kaew Ku
, also known as Wat Khaek
), a park of massive sculptures (some over 20m tall). The park is the handiwork of the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat
, who bought the land in 1978 when he was exiled from his native Laos (where he had built a similar park in Vientiane in the nineteen-fifties). Synthesizing Buddhist
and Hinduist
ideologies, Buddhas, many-armed goddesses, a seven-headed Naga
snake and all sorts of human-animal hybrids dominate the scenery.
See also the Haw wars
, memorialized by the monument before the Old City Hall (now a museum and cultural center); and, down by the Mekong, by Wat
Angkhan , which is Pali
for Ashes of the Deadhttp://www.thai-language.com/id/131679, as well as for Mars
, the planet that the Romans named for their God of War
. Nearby, the city maintains the lovely little Garden of Sorrows , with signs signifying this is where widows came to grieve.
In more recent years, Nong Khai has become a popular destination, with full Tourism Authority of Thailand :th:การท่องเที่ยวแห่งประเทศไทย and local backing, during the Buddhist Lent
festival when mysterious balls of light, or Naga fireballs
, rise from the Mekong
river. The balls resemble an orange sun, rise out of the river approximately 20 to 30 feet and disappear after three to five seconds. Although the fireballs can be seen at other times, most Thais travel to see them during the full moon in October when the incidence of them is considered to be much higher.
Nong Khai is connected to Laos via the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which permits direct traffic to Vientiane
via road and rail (in the latter case, via Thanaleng Railway Station
).
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and is the capital of the Nong Khai Province
Nong Khai Province
Nong Khai is the northernmost of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani and Loei...
. It is situated on the Mekong
Mekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
River and is the site of the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across to Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
.The Thai-Lao Friendship bridge was largely funded by a gift to the Lao Government by the Australian Keating Labour Government. It is the Thai gateway to the Laos' capital of Vientiane
Vientiane
-Geography:Vientiane is situated on a bend of the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point.-Climate:Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the...
, 25 kilometers up river, on the North bank opposite the Thai town of Sri Chiang Mai
Amphoe Si Chiang Mai
Si Chiang Mai is a district in the western part of Nong Khai Province, northeastern Thailand. It may also be spelled Sri Chiang Mai.-History:...
. At the time of its building, space for a rail track was installed along the center of the roadway to the Laos side. Construction of an extension to Tha Na Lang outside of Vientiane was begun early 2007, and officially opened March 5, 2009.
Nong Khai city is administered as Amphoe Mueang Nong Khai
Amphoe Mueang Nong Khai
Mueang Nong Khai is the capital district of Nong Khai Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Phon Phisai of Nong Khai Province, Phen of Udon Thani Province, Sa Khrai and Tha Bo of Nong Khai Province again...
.
Sala Keoku
Sala Keoku is a park featuring giant fantastic concrete sculptures inspired by Buddhism and Hinduism. It is located near Nong Khai, Thailand in immediate proximity of the Thai-Lao border and the Mekong river. The park has been built by and reflects the personal vision of Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat...
(alternatively spelled as Sala Kaew Ku
Sala Keoku
Sala Keoku is a park featuring giant fantastic concrete sculptures inspired by Buddhism and Hinduism. It is located near Nong Khai, Thailand in immediate proximity of the Thai-Lao border and the Mekong river. The park has been built by and reflects the personal vision of Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat...
, also known as Wat Khaek
Sala Keoku
Sala Keoku is a park featuring giant fantastic concrete sculptures inspired by Buddhism and Hinduism. It is located near Nong Khai, Thailand in immediate proximity of the Thai-Lao border and the Mekong river. The park has been built by and reflects the personal vision of Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat...
), a park of massive sculptures (some over 20m tall). The park is the handiwork of the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat
Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat
Bunleua Sulilat was a Thai/Isan/Lao mystic, myth-maker, spiritual cult leader and sculpture artist...
, who bought the land in 1978 when he was exiled from his native Laos (where he had built a similar park in Vientiane in the nineteen-fifties). Synthesizing Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
and Hinduist
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
ideologies, Buddhas, many-armed goddesses, a seven-headed Naga
Mucalinda
Mucalinda, Muchalinda or Mucilinda is the name of a naga , who protected the Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment....
snake and all sorts of human-animal hybrids dominate the scenery.
History
Haw wars
The Haw Wars , so called in Thai, were fought against Chinese quasi-military forces invading parts of Tonkin and Thailand between the years 1865 and 1890.-Invasion of the flags:...
, memorialized by the monument before the Old City Hall (now a museum and cultural center); and, down by the Mekong, by Wat
Wat
A wat is a monastery temple in Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos. The word "wat" means "school".- Introduction :...
Angkhan , which is Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
for Ashes of the Deadhttp://www.thai-language.com/id/131679, as well as for Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
, the planet that the Romans named for their God of War
Mars (mythology)
Mars was the Roman god of war and also an agricultural guardian, a combination characteristic of early Rome. He was second in importance only to Jupiter, and he was the most prominent of the military gods worshipped by the Roman legions...
. Nearby, the city maintains the lovely little Garden of Sorrows , with signs signifying this is where widows came to grieve.
In more recent years, Nong Khai has become a popular destination, with full Tourism Authority of Thailand :th:การท่องเที่ยวแห่งประเทศไทย and local backing, during the Buddhist Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
festival when mysterious balls of light, or Naga fireballs
Naga fireballs
The Naga fireballs , also referred to as Mekong lights, are a phenomenon seen in the Mekong river—in Thailand and in Laos —in which glowing balls rise from the water high into the air...
, rise from the Mekong
Mekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
river. The balls resemble an orange sun, rise out of the river approximately 20 to 30 feet and disappear after three to five seconds. Although the fireballs can be seen at other times, most Thais travel to see them during the full moon in October when the incidence of them is considered to be much higher.
Economy
Nong Khai is essentially a border town with the typical traffic associated with such locations. Tourism consists mainly of short stopovers by people traveling to and from Laos. The main thoroughfare is mainly populated by hardware stores, banks and gold shops. A large, busy Indo-china market thrives in the city center along the riverside. Visitors are catered for by a wide selection of hostelries from budget guest houses to international hotels and thriving evening entertainment.Nong Khai is connected to Laos via the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which permits direct traffic to Vientiane
Vientiane
-Geography:Vientiane is situated on a bend of the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point.-Climate:Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the...
via road and rail (in the latter case, via Thanaleng Railway Station
Thanaleng Railway Station
Thanaleng Railway Station, also known as Dongphosy Station , is a railway station in Dongphosy village, Hadxaifong district, Laos, east of the Lao capital city of Vientiane and north of the border between Laos and Thailand along the Mekong River. The station opened on March 5, 2009, becoming part...
).