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: Muang, Wiang
Sa, Na Noi, Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Thung Chang,
Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santi Suk, Bo Klua, 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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The
Traditional Boat Race is held in October or November
each year when the Nan River flows swiftly past the province.
It is incorporated with the celebrations of the Black
Ivory and the local Kathin ceremony. Boats are dugouts
made from large logs ad beautifully decorated. Manned
by well-trained oarsmen, the racing boats are lustily
cheered on by spectators lining both banks of the river.