Due
to the verdant nature of the area,
Uthai Thani is a province with unspoiled natural
tourist destinations that are of interest
to tourist everywhere. Furthermore, visitors
can see the different lifestyles of locals,
such as the life of raft residents on Sakae
Krang River, a waterway that aided the birth
of the province and which has been a lifeline
for its people since ancient times. It is
also where provincial trading has flourished.
Life revolving around the river eventually
grew from a community into the major province
that it is today.
The most
striking indication of the bond between the
plople and the river since the old days is
that in 1906, when King Rama V visited northern
provinces and stayed in Sakae Krang village,
the monk Phra Khru Uthai Tham Nithet (Chan)
built 2 twin rafts to receive the king. This
clearly showed the importance of the river
and the lifestyle of the people living off
it in that period.
In addition, at the end of the Buddhist Lent,
Buddhists from all directions congregate in
the province for a major merit-making tradition
called Tak Bat Thewo at the foot of Khao Sakae
Krang at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri. This festival
has been held in Uthai Thani since ancient
times.
Uthai Thani is located in
the lower part of northern Thailand. Most
of the province consists of forests and high
mountains. It has a total area of 6,730 square
kilometres. It is divided in to 8 Amphoe (districts),
as follows:
1. Amphoe Muang Uthai Thani
2. Amphoe Lan Sak 58 kilometres from the city
3. Amphoe Nong Kha Yang 11 kilometres from
the city
4. Amphoe Nong Chang 21 kilometres from the
city
5. Amphoe Thap Than 16 kilometres from the
city
6. Amphoe Ban Rai 79 kilometres from the city
7. Amphoe Sawang Arom 30 kilometres from the
city
8. Amphoe Huai Khot 51 kilometres from the
city
