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| >>Nan Province Geography<< The province is located in the remote valley of the Nan River, surrounded by mountains covered with forests, the Phlueng Range in the western part and the Luang Prabang Range in the east.[1] The highest mountain is the 2079 meter high Phu Khe in Bo Kluea District, north-east of the city of Nan towards the border with Laos. |
| >>Nan Province Climate<< Nan Province has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Winters are quite dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is very hot with the average daily maximum at 37.0 °C (98.6 °F). The monsoon season runs from late April through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm. |
| >>Nan Province History<< For centuries Nan was an independent kingdom but, due to its remoteness, had few connections to the other kingdoms. The first kingdom around the city Mueang Pua (also known as Varanagara) was created in the late 13th century. Its rulers, the Phukha dynasty, were related to the founders of Vientiane, however it became associated with the Sukhothai kingdom as it was easier to reach from the south than from the east or west. In the 14th century the capital was moved to its present location at Nan. In the 15th century, when Sukhothai declined in power, it became vassal of the kingdom of Lannathai. In 1443 King Kaen Thao of Nan plotted to capture neighboring Phayao by asking King Tilokaraj to help him fight against Vietnamese troops attacking Nan, even though there was no such threat. Kaen Thao killed the king of Phayao, however the troops of Tilokaraj then attacked Nan itself, and captured it in 1449. When Lannathai was under Burmese rulership, Nan tried to liberate itself many times without success, which finally led to direct Burmese rulership of Nan in 1714. In 1788 the Burmese rulers were finally driven back, however Nan had to then accept the new Siam rulers. In 1893 after the Paknam crisis Siam had to give a big part of eastern Nan to French Indochina. 1899 Mueang Nan became part of the circle (Monthon) Tawan Tok Chiang Nuea (northwestern circle).[3] 1916 the northwestern circle was split and Nan was assigned into the circle Maharat.[4] When the circles were abolished in 1932, the provinces including Nan became the top-level subdivision of Siam. Before the early 1980s bandits as well as People's Liberation Army of Thailand (PLAT) guerillas were a big problem in the province, usually destroying highway construction overnight. With the help of the army and the more stable political system the province improved significantly, but is still a very rural and remote area. |
| >>Nan Province Demographics<< 10.5% of the population belong to the hill tribes. Certain inhabitants known as the T'in or Mal people speak a Northern Mon-Khmer or Khmuic language, T'in, an unknown language when Gérard Diffloth's classifications were widely cited in a 1974 Encyclopædia Britannica article. |
| >>Nan Province Symbols<< The provincial seal shows a Usuparatch bull carrying the stupa of Phrathat Chae Haeng. The buffalo goes back to a legend that the rules of Nan and Phrae were brothers, and met at a mountain to decide about the boundary between their lands. The ruler of Nan went there on a buffalo, while the ruler of Phrae went there on a horse. The provincial tree and provincial flower is the Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata). |
| >>Nan Province Administrative divisions<< The province is subdivided in 15 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 99 subdistricts (tambon) and 848 villages (muban).
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| >>Nan Province Tourism<< **Sights**
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| >>Nan Province Local Products<< The Woven Materials of Nan (ผ้าทอพื้นเมืองน่าน) are distinctively different in terms of designs and production methods from other localities. The most famous pattern is the Lai Nam Lai (ผ้าลายน้ำไหล) which resembles waves or stairs. Other designs also reflect the local artistic and creative skills. The materials are used for making dresses, colourful satchels and Tung, a type of pennant used in religious rites. Nan is also noted for making musical instruments which include the Saloh (สะล้อ), a violin-like instrument, and the Sung (ซึง), similar to a guitar. They are used in bands which can still be heard in certain restaurants Silverware, wood carving and hilltribe handicraft The leading agricultural produce is the Som Si Thong (golden oranges) (ส้มสีทอง) which are of the same species as oranges of the Central Plain. Because of climatic differences, the local version is golden-skinned and more aromatic. They are in season in December. |
| >>Nan Province Culture<< **Nan Province Festivals** Wai Phrathat Festival (งานประเพณีไหว้พระธาตุ) Nan is a town in the Lanna kingdom where Buddhism spread for a long period of time. Within the area of the ancient city, both in Mueang Nan and in Amphoe Pua, lie Phrathats on the hill. Every year, festivals paying respect to the important Phrathats are organized as follows: Namatsakan Phrathat Beng Sakat Fair (งานนมัสการพระธาตุเบ็งสกัด) is organized on the full night of the 4th northern lunar month (around January). “Hok Peng Waisa Mahathat Chae Haeng” Fair (งานประเพณี “หกเป็งไหว้สามหาธาตุแช่แห้ง”) takes place on the full moon night of the 6th northern lunar month or the 4th central lunar month (around the end of February–March). Sky rockets are fired as an offering to the Buddha. “Namatsakan Phrathat Khao Noi” Fair (งานประเพณีนมัสการพระธาตุเขาน้อย) takes place on the full moon night of the 8th northern lunar month or the 6th central lunar month (around May). In the festival, there is a ceremony paying respect to Phrathat Khao Noi and sky rockets are fired as an offering to the Buddha. “Namatsakan Song Nam Phrachao Thongthip” Fair (งานประเพณีนมัสการสรงน้ำพระเจ้าทองทิพย์) at Wat Suan Tan during the Songkran festival on 12–15 April. Tan Kuai Salak, Hae Khua Tan or Khrua Than Festival (งานตานก๋วยสลาก หรืองานแห่คัวตาน หรือ ครัวทาน) Than Salak or Kuai Salak is an ancient tradition created in the Buddha’s time. For the northern people, it is considered as a major local merit making ceremony possessing local uniqueness. Monks are invited to receive the offerings by drawing lots. Nan Boat Races (งานประเพณีแข่งเรือจังหวัดน่าน) has been passed on for a long period of time. In 1936, boat racing was organized during the community’s robe presentation to the monks after the end of the Buddhist Lent until the time of the royal robe presentation ceremony. Nowadays, it is around mid-October or at the beginning of November every year. The opening of the races is the date when the food offerings are presented to the priests by drawing lots of Wat Chang Kham Worawihan, a royal temple. The food offering ceremony will be firstly organized. Therefore, the Nan Boat Races have come together with the Tan Kuai Salak of Wat Chang Kham until nowadays. Later, the province added the celebration of the black elephant tusk which is the precious treasure of Nan as well. Moreover, there is boat racing at Amphoe Wiang Sa in the Tan Kuai Salak Festival. |
| >>Nan Province Transportation<< **By plane**
The airport is located at the north end of town, on the road to Pua-Thung Chang-Thai-Lao border (Hwy 1080/AH13), about 1.5 km from downtown. **By train** The train station that serves Nan is Den Chai in Phrae Province. From the train station, take a songthaew parked in front of the station to Phrae bus station (about half an hour). Then catch a bus to Nan. There is also bus service directly to Nan from Den Chai, however you need to go to Den Chai bus station to take the bus. **By bus** The main bus station is located at the southern edge of town, at the end of a road perpendicular (turn left when arriving from Bangkok) to Wiangsa/Phrae/Bangkok Rd. From Bangkok: Buses to and from Bangkok take between 10 to 13 hours, according to the type of bus. From Chiang Mai: 6-7 hours From Chiang Rai: 5-6 hours @ 09:30 from the Old Bus Station in Chiang Rai, 164 baht. From Phrae: 2 hours From Phitsanulok: 5 hours @ 11:00 and 16:30 |
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