Bueng Kan province
{{Short description|Province of Thailand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bueng Kan
| native_name = บึงกาฬ
| native_name_lang = th
| settlement_type = Province
| image_skyline = What phu tok.JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Cliff side, Phu Thok
| image_seal = Seal Bueng Kan.png
| image_flag = Flag of Bueng Kan Province.png
| nickname =
| motto = ภูทอกแหล่งพระธรรม ค่าล้ำยางพารา งามตาแก่งอาฮง บึงโขงหลงเพลินใจ น้ำตกใสเจ็ดสี ประเพณีแข่งเรือ เหนือสุดแดนอีสาน นมัสการหลวงพ่อใหญ่ ศูนย์รวมใจศาลสองนาง
("Phu Thok, the source of Dharma. Valuable rubber. Beautiful A Hong Rapids. Fascnating Bueng Khong Long. Clear seven-coloured waterfalls. Boat race traditions. Northernmost of the northeast. Worship Luang Pho Yai. United by Song Nang Shrine.")
| image_map = Thailand Bueng Kan locator map.svg
| mapsize = frameless
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map of Thailand highlighting Bueng Kan province
| coordinates = {{coord|18|09|22.6|N|103|45|16|E|type:adm1st_region:TH|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Thailand
| established_title = Created
| established_date = 23 March 2011
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = Bueng Kan
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Governor
| leader_name = Jumpoth Wanchatsiri
| area_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.forest.go.th |title=Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019 |publisher=Royal Forest Department |access-date=6 April 2021}}
| area_total_km2 = 4,003
| area_rank = 55th
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = {{decrease}}418,733
| population_as_of = 2024
| population_rank = 63rd
| population_density_km2 = 105
| population_density_rank = 48th
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = baht 27 billion
(US$0.8 billion) (2019)
| demographics_type1 = Human Achievement Index
| demographics1_title1 = HAI (2022)
| demographics1_info1 = 0.6440 "average"
Ranked 34th
| timezone1 = ICT
| utc_offset1 = +7
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 38xxx
| area_code_type = Calling code
| area_code = 042
| iso_code = TH-38
| website = {{URL|buengkan.go.th}}
| footnotes =
}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bueng Kan Provincial Administrative Organization
| native_name = องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัดบึงกาฬ
| native_name_lang = th
| settlement_type = Provincial Administrative Organization
| government_type = Local administrative divisions
| governing_body = Bueng Kan Provincial Administrative Organization
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Waenfa Thongsri
| website = {{URL|buengkanpao.go.th}}
}}
Bueng Kan ({{langx|th|บึงกาฬ}}, {{rtgs|Bueng Kan}}, {{IPA|th|bɯ̄ŋ kāːn|pron}}), also spelled Bung Kan,{{cite news |last1=Frederickson |first1=Terry |title=Thailand's Newest Province |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-news/281197/thailand-newest-province |access-date=17 June 2019 |work=Bangkok Post |date=23 February 2012}} is the 76th province (changwat) of Thailand, established by the Act Establishing Changwat Bueng Kan, BE 2554 (2011) on 23 March 2011.{{cite journal|journal=Government Gazette|volume=128|issue=18 A|pages=1|title=Act Establishing Changwat Bueng Kan, BE 2554 (2011)|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2554/A/018/1.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409004420/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2554/A/018/1.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 April 2011|date=2011-03-22|language=th}} The province, consisting of the districts (amphoe) partitioned off Nong Khai province, lies in upper northeastern Thailand also called Isan ({{langx|th|อีสาน}}). It is named after its central district, Mueang Bueng Kan.
Geography
The province is in the northeastern corner of Thailand. It borders, from the south clockwise, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Nong Khai province. To the north and east it borders Bolikhamsai province of Laos, with the Mekong River forming the boundary.
Hin Sam Wan (which translates into English as Three Whale Rock) is a 75-million-year-old rock formation protruding out of the mountains. It is so named because, from certain angles, the rocks look like a family of whales.[https://web.archive.org/web/20210412220230/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/partner-content-thailands-tourism-goes-green "Thailand's tourism goes green"] – National Geographic
The total forest area is {{convert|280|km²|abbr=on}}, or 7% of the total provincial area.
=National park=
There is one national park, along with six other national parks, making region 10 (Udon Thani) of Thailand's protected areas.
- Phu Langka National Park, {{convert|50|km2|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=https://catalog.dnp.go.th/dataset/areaofnp/resource/3b372140-f2bf-4811-8819-bb8a8b1a100a |title=ข้อมูลพื้นที่อุทยานแห่งชาติ ที่ประกาศในราชกิจจานุบกษา 133 แห่ง |date=December 2020 |department=Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |language=Thai |trans-title=National Park Area Information published in the 133 Government Gazettes |access-date=1 November 2022 |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103123527/https://catalog.dnp.go.th/dataset/areaofnp/resource/3b372140-f2bf-4811-8819-bb8a8b1a100a |url-status=dead }}{{rp|117}}
=Wildlife sanctuary=
There is one wildlife sanctuary in region 10 (Udon Thani) of Thailand's protected areas.
- Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, {{convert|187|km2|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://it2.dnp.go.th/wp-content/uploads/ตาราง-5-พื้นที่เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่า-ปี-2562.pdf |title=ตาราง 5 พื้นที่เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่า พ.ศ. 2562 |year=2019 |department=Department of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Plant Conservation |language=Thai |trans-title=Table 5 Wildlife Sanctuary Areas in 2019 |access-date=1 November 2022}}{{rp|10}}
History
In 1994, Sumet Phromphanhao, a member of the House of Representatives from Nong Khai province, proposed that the province of Bueng Kan be established by consolidating the Bueng Kan, Seka, So Phisai, Bung Khla, Bueng Khong Long, Pak Khat, Phon Charoen, and Si Wilai Districts of Nong Khai province as a new province. The new province, if created, would be 4,305 km2,ไทยรัฐ, [http://www.thairath.co.th/content/pol/101013 ครม.ตั้ง 'บึงกาฬ' จังหวัดที่77 แยกจากหนองคาย], 3 สิงหาคม 2553. with a population of about 390,000 inhabitants. At that time, the Ministry of Interior replied that creating a new province would load a heavy burden to the state budget and was contrary to the resolution of the Council of Ministers.{{cite journal|journal=Government Gazette|volume=111|issue=24 A|pages=58|title=Question No. 176 R.|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2537/A/024/58.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109090053/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2537/A/024/58.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 November 2011|date=2011-03-22|language=th}}
The proposal to create Bueng Kan province was tabled for about 20 years, until 2010 when the Ministry of Interior renewed the project and made a proposal to the Council of Ministers to have a "Bill Establishing Changwat Bueng Kan, BE..." ({{langx|th|ร่างพระราชบัญญัติจัดตั้งจังหวัดบึงกาฬ พ.ศ....}}) considered.กรุงเทพธุรกิจ, [http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/home/detail/politics/local/20100506/113810/news.html ชาวอ.บึงกาฬดีใจ มท.ชงเข้าครม.ตั้งจังหวัดใหม่] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102170141/http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/home/detail/politics/local/20100506/113810/news.html |date=2 January 2015 }}, 6 พฤษภาคม 2553. In a poll at the time, 99 percent of the inhabitants of Nong Khai province supported the proposal. On 3 August 2010, the Council of Ministers resolved to present the bill to the National Assembly,หนังสือพิมพ์เดลินิวส์ ฉบับวันพุธ ที่ 4 สิงหาคม 2553 หน้า 15กรุงเทพธุรกิจ, [http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/home/detail/politics/policy/20100803/346311/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1.%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B1%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AC-%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%8877.html ครม.มติเห็นชอบตั้ง'บึงกาฬ' จังหวัดที่77] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515092554/http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/home/detail/politics/policy/20100803/346311/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1.%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B1%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AC-%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%8877.html |date=15 May 2011 }}, 3 สิงหาคม 2553. citing that the proposal met its criteria for approval.[http://hilight.kapook.com/view/50972 ครม. มีมติตั้ง จังหวัดบึงกาฬ เป็น จังหวัดที่ 77]. กระปุกดอตคอม. สืบค้น 10-12-2553.
On 7 February 2011, the National Assembly approved the bill.[http://www.thairath.co.th/content/pol/147233 วุฒิฯจัดให้ผ่านฉลุยกฎหมายจัดตั้ง 'จังหวัดบึงกาฬ'] Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presented it to King Bhumibol Adulyadej for royal assent. Bhumibol Adulyadej signed the bill on 11 March 2011, enacting it as the "Act Establishing Changwat Bueng Kan, BE 2554 (2011)" ({{langx|th|พระราชบัญญัติตั้งจังหวัดบึงกาฬ พ.ศ. 2554}}). The act was published in the Government Gazette on 22 March 2011 and came into force the next day.{{cite web|url=http://www.thairath.co.th/content/pol/101013|title=ครม.ตั้ง 'บึงกาฬ' จังหวัดที่77 แยกจากหนองคาย|publisher=Thairath|date=2010-08-03}}
Economy
Building of the fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge began in 2021. Construction of the bridge is expected to take 3 years for a completion in 2023. The project will link Bueng Kan province with Laos' Bolikhamsai province across the Mekong River. Its cost will be around US$130.3 million. Thailand has agreed to pay US$25.47 million and Laos is covering about US$46.13 million. The bridge will enable Vietnam to be reached by road from Thailand through Laos over a distance of only 150 km. Already existing Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges link Nong Khai province with Vientiane Prefecture (First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge; Mukdahan with Savannakhet (Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge); Nakhon Phanom with Thakhek (Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge); and Chiang Rai province with Houayxay (Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge).{{cite web
|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/construction-of-fifth-lao-thai-bridge-begins
|title=Construction begins on fifth bridge linking Laos, Thailand
|date=6 January 2021
|work=The Straits Times
|publisher=SPH Media Limited, Co.
Symbols
The provincial seal of Bueng Kan, Thailand's 76th and newest province, has a depiction of Phu Thok, a mountain in Si Wilai District, an Isan language name which means 'lonely mountain'.{{cite web|title=Beung Kahn Provincial Escutcheon|url=http://thailex.asia/THAILEX/THAILEXENG/LEXICON/Beung%20Kahn.htm|website=THAILEX Travel Encyclopedia|access-date=24 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105208/http://thailex.asia/THAILEX/THAILEXENG/LEXICON/Beung%20Kahn.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}
The provincial flower and tree is Bauhinia sirindhorniae K. and S.S. Larsen.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} An endemic species Neodontobutis aurarmus is the provincial aquatic life.
Climate
Bueng Kan's climate consists of a wet season and a dry season (between December and January). The temperature decreases during November and is at its lowest in December and January. The temperature quickly increases in March, and peaks in April.[http://103.28.101.10/briefprovince/filedoc/38000000.pdf บรรยายสรุปจังหวัดบึงกาฬ](in Thai)
Administrative divisions
=Provincial government=
=Local government=
[[File:Municipal Areas in Bueng Kan Province EN.png|280px|thumb|{{legend|#FFA20C|Town municipality (thesaban mueang)}}
{{legend|#FFF600|Subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon)}}]]
As of 5 August 2020, there is one Bueng Kan Provincial Administrative Organization, also known as PAO ({{lang|th-Latn|ongkan borihan suan changwat}}); there are also eighteen municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. The capital Bueng Kan has town (thesaban mueang) status and seventeen subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).{{cite web |url=https://www.bora.dopa.go.th/index.php/th/ |title=สถิติทางการทะเบียน |trans-title=Registration statistics |date=December 2019 |website=bora.dopa.go.th |publisher=Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) |access-date=22 September 2020 |quote=Download จำนวนประชากร ปี พ.ศ.2562 - Download population year 2019}}
| class="wikitable" style="width:60%;" |
| scope="col" style="width:6%;" |
| scope="col" style="width:32%;"|Town municipality | scope="col" style="width:12%;"|Population | scope="col" style="width:50%;"| |
| scope="row" | 1
| 19,612 | |
| class="wikitable" style= "width:60%;" |
| scope="col" style="width:6%;" |
| scope="col" style="width:32%;"|Subdistrict mun. | scope="col" style="width:12%;"|Population | scope="col" style="width:6%;" | 9 | scope="col" style="width:32%;"|Non Sawang | scope="col" style="width:12%;"|6,920 |
| scope="row" | 1
| Si Wilai | 11,120 | 10 | Tha Sa-at | 6,886 |
| scope="row" | 2
| Pong Hai | 10,502 | 11 | Pak Khat | 6,854 |
| scope="row" | 3
| Phon Charoen | 10,357 | 12 | 6,728 |
| scope="row" | 4
| Bueng Khong Long | 9,811 | 13 | Si Phana | 6,678 |
| scope="row" | 5
| 8,875 | 14 | 5,670 |
| scope="row" | 6
| 8,725 | 15 | 5,478 |
| scope="row" | 7
| Ho Kham | 7,260 | 16 | Don Yanang | 5,156 |
| scope="row" | 8
| 7,063 | 17 | Si Samran | 4,970 |
The non-municipal areas are administered by 39 Subdistrict Administrative
Organizations (SAO) (ongkan borihan suan tambon).Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), List of 5,324 SAO's information as of date 20 December 2019, 39 SAO's (no.1929-1969) were established in 1995 (1), in 1996 (15), in 1997 (17) and in 1999 (6).
Human achievement index 2022
| class="wikitable floatright" style="width:400px;" |
| style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Health
| style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Education | style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Employment | style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Income |
| 95px
| 100px | 100px | 100px |
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 32
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 53 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 39 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 52 |
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Housing
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Family | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Transport | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Participation |
| style="height:100px;"| 100px
| File:Parents, enfants, famille.png | 100px | 90px |
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 7
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 24 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 43 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 54 |
| colspan="4"; style="background:black; color:white;"| Province Bueng Kan, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6440 is "average", occupies place 34 in the ranking. |
Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017.
| class="wikitable" ---valign="top" | Rank | Classification |
| | 1 - 13 | "high" | |
| |14 - 29 | "somewhat high" | |
| |30 - 45 | "average" | |
| |46 - 61 | "somewhat low" | |
| |62 - 77 | "low" |
| role= "presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|Map with provinces and HAI 2022 rankings |
| 950px |
{{clear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.tourismthailand.org/About-Thailand/Destination/Bueng-Kan Tourism Thailand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422140832/https://www.tourismthailand.org/About-Thailand/Destination/Bueng-Kan |date=22 April 2019 }}
- [http://inter.tourismthailand.org/fileadmin/upload_img/Multimedia/Ebrochure/601/bungkan.pdf Bueng Kan Travel Guide E-Book - Tourism Authority of Thailand]
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Bueng Kan province
|North = Bolikhamsai province, {{flag|Laos}}
|Northeast =
|East =
|Southeast = Nakhon Phanom province
|South = Sakon Nakhon province
|Southwest =
|West = Nong Khai province
|Northwest =
}}
{{Bueng Kan Province}}
{{Amphoe Bueng Kan}}
{{Provinces of Thailand}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Populated places on the Mekong River