Khon Kaen Province

Khon Kaen
ขอนแก่น
Province

Seal

Map of Thailand highlighting Khon Kaen Province
Country  Thailand
Capital Khon Kaen
Government
 • Governor Phongsak Prichawit (since October 2016)
Area
 • Total 10,886.0 km2 (4,203.1 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 15th
Population (2014)
 • Total 1,790,049
 • Rank Ranked 4th
 • Density 160/km2 (430/sq mi)
 • Density rank Ranked 19th
HDI
 • HDI (2009) 0.850 (high) (8th)
Time zone ICT (UTC+7)
Area code(s) 043
ISO 3166 code TH-40
Vehicle registration ขอนแก่น

Khon Kaen (Thai: ขอนแก่น, pronounced [kʰɔ̌(ː)n kɛ̀n]) is the fifth-largest of the northeastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Phetchabun, and Loei.

History

The first city of the area was established in 1783 when Rajakruluang settled there with 330 people. King Rama I made Rajakruluang the first governor of the area when establishing tighter connections with the Isan area. The main city was moved six times until in 1879 it reached its present-day location at Nuang Kaw. Khon Kaen was under the governance of Udon in the early period of Rattanakosin, c. 2450 BCE.

Administrative divisions

The province is divided into 26 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 198 sub-districts (tambon) and 2,139 villages (muban).

There are plans to split off the northwestern part of the province to form a new province centered at Phu Wiang. The other districts which will belong to this new province are Nong Ruea, Chum Phae, Si Chomphu, Phu Pha Man, Nong Na Kham, and Wiang Kao.

Geography

Khon Kaen is partially located on the Khorat Plateau. The Chi River flows through the province.

Symbols

The seal of the province shows the stupa (tower) of Phra That Kham Kaen, which is believed to contain relics of Buddha. A tree is depicted on each side. One is a banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis), the other a Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula). The Thai name of the golden shower means providing support and preventing a decline, and it is also the provincial flower. The provincial tree is the pink shower tree (Cassia bakeriana), the Thai name of which translates as "wishing tree".

Sister cities

Notable residents

References

    		 Loei Province Nong Bua Lamphu Province Udon Thani Province
    Kalasin Province
    Phetchabun Province Maha Sarakham Province
    		   Khon Kaen Province  
    Chaiyaphum Province Nakhon Ratchasima Province Buriram Province

    Coordinates: 16°26′41″N 102°50′1″E / 16.44472°N 102.83361°E / 16.44472; 102.83361

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