Uthai Thani is a province abundant
in natural resources, such as forests and
wildlife. “Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve”
here was proclaimed a Nautral World Heritage
Site on 13 December 1991. The reserve has
jungles, forests, plains, many streams,
and most importantly, anumber of rare and
endangered animals.
Due to the verdant
nature of the area, Uthai Thani is a province
with unspoiled natural tourist destinations
that are of interest to tourist everywhere.
Furthermore, visitors can see the different
lifestyles of locals, such as the life
of raft residents on Sakae Krang River,
a waterway that aided the birth of the
province and which has been a lifeline
for its people since ancient times. It
is also where provincial trading has flourished.
Life revolving around the river eventually
grew from a community into the major province
that it is today.
The most striking indication
of the bond between the plople and the
river since the old days is that in 1906,
when King Rama V visited northern provinces
and stayed in Sakae Krang village, the
monk Phra Khru Uthai Tham Nithet (Chan)
built 2 twin rafts to receive the king.
This clearly showed the importance of
the river and the lifestyle of the people
living off it in that period.
In addition, at the
end of the Buddhist Lent, Buddhists from
all directions congregate in the province
for a major merit-making tradition called
Tak Bat Thewo at the foot of Khao Sakae
Krang at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri. This
festival has been held in Uthai Thani
since ancient times.
Uthai Thani is located
in the lower part of northern Thailand.
Most of the province consists of forests
and high mountains. It has a total area
of 6,730 square kilometres. It is divided
in to 8 Amphoe (districts), as follows:
1. Amphoe Muang Uthai
Thani
2. Amphoe Lan Sak 58 kilometres from the
city
3. Amphoe Nong Kha Yang 11 kilometres
from the city
4. Amphoe Nong Chang 21 kilometres from
the city
5. Amphoe Thap Than 16 kilometres from
the city
6. Amphoe Ban Rai 79 kilometres from the
city
7. Amphoe Sawang Arom 30 kilometres from
the city
8. Amphoe Huai Khot 51 kilometres from
the city
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