 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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