Nong Khai Province, Sala Kaeo Ku Temple, Nong Khai, Thailand. ( 2 )
Nong Khai is the northernmost of the north - eastern ( Isan ) provinces ( Changwat ) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are ( from east clockwise ) Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani and Loei. To the north it borders Vientiane Province, Vientiane Prefecture and Bolikhamxai of Laos. The province is located in the valley of the Mae Nam Kong ( Mekong river ), which also forms the border with Laos. There are highlands to the south. The Laotian capital Vientiane is only 25 kilometres away from the provincial capital of Nong Khai. The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which connects the two countries, was built jointly by the governments of Thailand, Laos and Australia, and was opened in 1994.
Over the centuries the control of the province swung between the Thai Kingdom Ayutthaya, and the Laotian kingdom Lan Xang, as their respective powers ebbed and flowed in the region. See also the Haw wars.
The provincial seal shows a pond with a bamboo clump close to it. The bamboo symbolizes stability, glory and continuity for the peaceful and fertile land.
The provincial tree is the tamalan or Burma pallisander ( Dalbergia oliveri ).
The province is subdivided into 17 districts ( Amphoe ). The districts are further subdivided into 115 sub districts ( Tambon ) and 1099 villages ( Muban ). Bueng Kan was part of Nong Khai and was split as the newest province of Thailand.
1. Mueang Nong Khai 2. Tha Bo 3. Phon Phisai 4. Si Chiang Mai 5. Sangkhom
6. Sakhrai 7. Fao Rai 8. Rattanawapi 9. Pho Tak
Nong Khai is a sleepy Thai town with strong Lao influences, and is home to small Chinese and Vietnamese communities as well.
Most locals speak both Thai and the local dialect called Issan, which is closely related to both the Thai and Lao languages. Many locals speak a little bit of English, mostly tourism-related words, and are generally very friendly and helpful if you smile and are polite.
Sala Keoku also spelled as Sala Keo Ku, Sala Keo Koo, Sala Kaew Ku, Sala Kaew Koo, Salakaewkoo, Sala Gaew Goo, Sala Kaeoku, Sala Kaeo Ku, etc. Alternative name: Wat Khaek is a park featuring giant fantastic concrete sculptures inspired by Buddhism and Hinduism. It is located near Nong Khai, Thailand in immediate proximity of the Thai-Lao border and the Mekong river. The park has been built by, and reflects the personal vision of Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat and his followers ( the construction started in 1978 ). It shares the style of Sulilat's earlier creation, Buddha Park on the Lao side of Mekong, but is marked by even more extravagant fantasy and greater proportions.
Some of the Sala Keoku sculptures tower up to 25 metres in height. Those include a monumental depiction of Buddha meditating under the protection of a seven-headed Naga snake. While the subject ( based on a Buddhist legend ) is one recurrent theme in the religious art of the region, Sulilat's approach is highly unusual, with its naturalistic even though stylised representation of the snakes, whose giant protruding tongues beautifully complement the awe-inspiring composition.
The Sala Keoku pavilion is a large three-story concrete building, whose domes bear the surprising resemblance to a mosque. It was constructed following Sulilat's plans after his death. The 3rd floor hosts many Sulilat-related artefacts, as well as his mummified body.
Perhaps the most enigmatic part of the park is the Wheel of Life, a circular multi-part group of sculptures representing the karmic cycle of birth and death. The composition culminates with a young man taking a step across the fence surrounding the entire installation to become a Buddha statue on the other side