Nan Information guide
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: Mueang, Wiang Sa, Na Noi,
Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Thung Chang, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun,
Santi Suk, Bo Kluea, 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.
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