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: Muang, Wiang Sa, Na
Noi, Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Thung
Chang, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santi
Suk, Bo Klua, 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.
Distances from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts
:
Chiang Klang 76 kilometres
Thung Chang 86 kilometres
Na Muen 80 kilometres
Ban Luang 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