Kalasin

Kalasin is one of the most fertile provinces in the northeastern region. According to archaeological evidence, it points that the area was once inhabited by the Lawa tribe, whose civilization dates back to about 1,600 years ago. The historical evidence points out that the city was first established during the Rattanakosin period in 1793. Thao Somphamit and his troops escaped from the left bank of the Mekong River and settled on the bank of the Pao River, which was called ‘Ban Kaeng Samrong.’ Then, he sent tribute to King Rama I the Great who later promoted Ban Kaeng Samrong as a city and renamed it ‘Kalasin’ or ‘Mueang Nam Dam’ (a black water town), which later became an important city. ‘Kala’ means ‘black’; ‘sin’ means ‘water’, so Kalasin means ‘black water.’ The king also appointed Thao Somphamit as ‘Phraya Chaisunthon’ who became the first ruler of Kalasin.

Kalasin, the land of Pong Lang music and the famous Phrae Wa cloth, is 519 kilometres from Bangkok. It is the site of the ancient city of Fa Daet Song Yang and one of the largest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in northeastern Thailand.

Kalasin has an area of 6,946 square kilometres. It is divided into 18 districts: Mueang Kalasin, Yang Talat, Kamalasai, Sahatsakhan, Kuchi Narai, Tha Khantho, Somdet, Khao Wong, Huai Mek, Kham Muang, Nong Kung Si, Na Mon, Huai Phung, Rong Kham, Na Khu, Sam Chai, Don Chan and Khong Chai.