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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