General Information 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 |