| 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.
 Boundary
North-East : - Borders Laos
South : - Borders Uttaradit.
North : - Borders Phrae, Phayao and Chiang Rai.
 From
Nan city to nearby provinces
- Phayao 176 kms.
- Chiang Rai 270 kms.
- Chiang Mai 318 kms.
- Phrae 118 kms.
- Amphoe Denchai (Phrae) 142 kms.
Distances
from Amphoe Muang to other districts
|
Ban
Luang |
76
kilometres |
|
Chiang Klang |
86
kilometres |
|
Thung Chang |
80
kilometres |
|
Na
Muen |
45
kilometres |
|
Mae
Charim |
38
kilometres |
|
Song
Khwae |
75
kilometres |
|
Tha
Wang Pha |
43
kilometres |
|
Na
Noi |
60
kilometres |
|
Bo
Kluea |
133
kilometres |
|
Pua |
60
kilometres |
|
Wiang Sa |
25
kilometres |
|
Santi Suk |
32
kilometres |
|
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 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
Thai Airways International
flies from Bangkok to Nan every day. Call 1566 |
Golden Orange and Red
Cross Fair
The fair is held annually around mid-December at the Provincial Stadium. The golden orange, with golden peel and a
sweet taste, is a famous crop of Nan Province. The orange's gold color
 results from the difference between day time and night time
temperature. Main features in the fair include beauty contests, Golden orange parade contest, Contest, booths displayed by
the government and private sectors, and various entertainment.Nan
Traditional Boat Race
The Traditional Boat Race is held in October or November each year when
the Nan River flows swiftly past the province. It is incorporated with
the celebrations of the Black Ivory and the local Kathin ceremony. Boats
are dugouts made from large logs ad beautifully decorated. Manned by
well-trained oarsmen, the racing boats are lustily cheered on by
spectators lining both banks of the river. |
