The Vietnam War
transformed the sleepy provincial city of Udon
Thani into a booming support center for a
nearby American airbase. And since the withdrawal
of American troops in 1976, it has continued to
grow as an industrial and commercial center within
the region. Located on an elevated plateau, the
province is blessed with numerous forested hills
and tributaries, but the Phu Pan mountain ranges
and the Songkhram River are the province’s 2 main
natural resources. The province’s main attraction
is its archeological sites that date back over
5,000 years, particularly the one at Ban Chiang.
Located 564 kilometres
from Bangkok, the province is a prime business
centre of I-San. It stands the world heritage
site for the prehistoric culture of Ban Chiang.
It covers an area of 11, 730 square kilometres
and is divided into the following districts:
Muang, Kumphawapi, Nong Han, Phen, Ban Phue,
Ban Dung, Si That, Nam Som, Nong Wua So, Kut
Chap, Non Sa-at, Wang Sam Mo, Chai Wan, Nong
Saeng, Sang Khom, Thung Fon, Na Yung, Phibun
Rak, Ku Kaeo, Prachaksinlapakhom.
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