Udon Thani Province is a prominent province serving as a central hub for transportation and tourism in the northeastern region of Thailand. It holds great historical significance as the location of the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, one of the world´s oldest traces of human civilization. Additionally, Udon Thani boasts numerous natural attractions, traditional ceremonies like the Pha Khid cloth ceremony, and villages that embody the simple yet charming lifestyle of the Isaan Thai community.
With an area of approximately 11,730 square kilometers or around 7.33 million acres, Udon Thani is the 11th largest province in Thailand. The terrain is generally characterized by high plains, rice fields, forests, and mountains. The province slopes down towards the Mekong River in the province of Nong Khai to the west, while to the east, there are significant mountain ranges, including the important Phu Phan range.
Udon Thani has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by archaeological findings suggesting human habitation in the region 5,000-7,000 years ago. The ancient community was advanced, with artifacts such as pottery with intricate patterns, considered some of the oldest in the world. The area was originally a small village named "Ban Maak Khaeng" or "Ban Duea Maak Khaeng." It gained prominence during the reign of King Rama V in 1885 when the Thai army, led by Phra Chao Boromwong Thoe Krom Luang Prachak Silapakhom, successfully suppressed bandits on the left bank of the Mekong River in Laos.
However, during the Franco-Thai War of 1940 (B.E. 2483), Thailand ceded territory on the left bank of the Mekong River to France, as per the conditions of the Treaty of Friendship. This led to the relocation of the provincial center from Nong Khai to the small village of Ban Duea Maak Khaeng, which was later named Udon Thani. King Rama VII officially designated it as "Mueang Udon" in 1935, and later, during the administrative reforms, it became Udon Thani Province in 1939 (B.E. 2482). Since then, the province has been subdivided into 18 districts and 2 minor districts. The districts include Mueang Udon Thani, Nong Wua So, Nong Han, Ban Phue, Ban Dung, Kut Chap, Non Sa-at, Phen, Nam Som, Kud Chum, Si That, Wang Sam Mo, Thung Fon, Sang Khom, Chai Wan, Nong Saeng, Phibun Rak, and the minor districts of Ku Kaeo and Prachak Sinlapakhom.