Nong Khai History

In the year 1626 A.D during the reign of King Rama III of Bangkok, King Anuwong of Vientiane rebelled and proclaimed Vientiane a kingdom not I.c. subject to Siam any more. He also led an army to capture people in the territory of Siam and brought them bock to Vientiane. In the suppression of this rebellion, Thao Suwo Thamma led an army from Muang Yasothon to join the army from Bangkok, and he subdued King Anuwong who was eventually sent down to Bangkok. King Rama III then gave a reward to Thao Suwo Thomma in terms of allowing him to select from four locations to be used as a town construction site. Thao Suwo Thamma finally selected the site at Ban Phai called Muang Nong Khai in the year 1827.

In the year 1891 Muang Nong Khai was the site of Monthon Lao Phruan (monthon = a semi-autonomous unit of administration comprising several provinces). In 1893 the Monthon Office was moved to Ban Mak Khaeng due to the loss of territory on the left bank of the Mekhong River to France. Later, in the year 1900, Monthon Udon was established at Ban Mak Khaeng, thus changing the status of Muang Nong Khai to be a province of Monthon Udon.

After the abolishment of the Monthon Thesaphiban Administration system in the year 1933, Nong Khai Province was removed from the control of Monthon Udon and has held provincial status ever since.