The Pearl on the Bank
of the Mekong
its origin on the Jinhai Tibet Plateau through Yunnan into Chiang
Saen District In Chiangrai, the Mekong river flows through 6
countries from Chian, through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and
finally Vietnam. Standing on the river bank near the Indochinese
market in front of the city of Mukdahan, one can imagine how far
this river travels. Mukdahan has a saying "Beautiful city on the
Mekong's bank, sweet tamarind, origin of Phaya River, splendid
mountains, valuable ancient drums, eight-tribe cultures, picturesque
Manorom Mount, and beautiful Kra Bao lslet."
is located in Northeastern Thailand, bordering Laos to the east with
the Mekong in between. Mukdahan has a saying "Beautiful city
on the Mekong's bank, sweet tamarind, splendid mountains, valuable
ancient drums, eight-tribe cultures, picturesque Manorom Mount, and
beautiful Kra Bao Islet"
Most of the area of Mukdahan is a
high plateau with dense forests in the west. The eastern part of the
province is mostly agricultural areas. The weather is hot in the
winter with the highest temperature of 33 C and the lowest of 10 C.
There is little rain.
Mekong River, running 70 kilometers along the eastern border,
remains the main lifeline of the province. Other water sources
include Huay Chanod, Huay Muk and Huay Bung Ee Streams which are
narrow and very shallow during the dry season. Mukdahan still has
relative well preserved forest areas in the Northeast with 18
national forests or wildlife areas.
comprises 7 districts and has eight tribes of Thai
people, each of which has its distinct
tradition and culture. These eight tribes are Phu T'ai, Yu, Kha,
Soe, Kar Lerng, Saek, Kula, and Thai-Lao.
or Mukdahan is one of the nine types of precious stones called
Nopparatana. According to the legend told for hundreds of years, on
certain nights of the religious days a Mukda would brighten, emerge
from the Manorom Mount, float along the bank of the Mekong River and
fall into the area where a stream meets the river. Thus the stream
was named "Huay Muk" or Muk Stream.
Mukdahan is an ancient city. The
historical evidence told that Chankinnaree, Prince of Phonsim on the
left side of the Mekong, had moved his people across the river to
build a new city on the month of Huay Muk
the fourth mouth of B.E. 2312 or1770. He named the new city after
the stream as "Mukdahan".
Mukdahan was part of the Udon Region.
In B.E. 2450(1907) when the Udon Region was upgraded into a
province, Mukdahan became a district within Nakhon Phanom Province .
In B.E. 2525(1982), the Mukdahan District was upgraded to the 73rd
province of Thailand.
How to get there
Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches regularly
leave from Bangkok's Northeastern Bus Terminal on KamphaengPhet 2
Road throughout the day. Telephone 936-2852-66,
537-8005 for more informations.
Thai Airways operated daily flights
to Nakon Phanom or Ubon Ratchathani and buses to Mukdahan.
Contact Bangkok Tel. 280-0070 or 280-0080 for more information.
Trains leave Bangkok's Hualampong Railway Station throughout the day
for Ubon Ratchathani. For more information please contact Rail
Travel Aids, Tel.233-7010 or 233-7020.