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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