Chaiyaphum

Chaiyaphum is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Lopburi and Phetchabun. Chaiyaphum is a province located at the ridge of the I-san plateau in the connecting area between the Central Region and the North. It is a land of beautiful Dok Krachiao (curcuma) fields and abundant waterfalls in the rainy season. It is one of the provinces possessing a large number of forested areas in Northeast Thailand. There are major mountain ranges such as Phu Phang Hoei, Phu Laen Kha, and Phu Phaya Fo, the origin of the Chi River.

Historically, Chaiyaphum is a place where many periods of civilization have overlapped one another from the Dvaravati and Khmer periods until the Laotian or Lan Chang influence. Many archaeological remains and objects were found in many areas in the province. Later, the province appeared as a border town during the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya period. After that, the town was abandoned and appeared once more in the Rattanakosin era as a destination where the Vientiane people led by their leader called Lae, immigrated to. Then he was designated as the first governor of Chaiyaphum.

Chaiyaphum is approximately 330 kilometres from Bangkok, covering an area of 12,778.287 square kilometres. It consists of 16 districts; namely, Amphoe Mueang Chaiyaphum, Amphoe Ban Khwao, Amphoe Khon Sawan, Amphoe Kaset Sombun, Amphoe Nong Bua Daeng, Amphoe Chatturat, Amphoe Phu Khiao, Amphoe Bamnet Narong, Amphoe Ban Thaen, Amphoe Kaeng Khro, Amphoe Khon San, Amphoe Thep Sathit, Amphoe Nong Bua Rawe, Amphoe Phakdi Chumphon, Amphoe Noen Sa-nga and Amphoe Sap Yai.