Nan

Nan is a rural province in northern Thailand bordering Laos, known for its numerous national parks. The vast Doi Phu Kha National Park, in the northeast of the province, contains waterfalls, limestone mountains and rare plants. Nearby, the heavily forested Khun Nan National Park is home to wild boars, black bears, reptiles and birds. The laid-back provincial capital, Nan, sits on the banks of the Nan River.

For centuries Nan was an independent kingdom but, due to its remoteness, had few connections to the other kingdoms. The first kingdom around the city Mueang Pua (also known as Varanagara) was created in the late-13th century. Its rulers, the Phukha dynasty, were related to the founders of Vientiane, however it became associated with the Sukhothai Kingdom as it was easier to reach from the south than from the east or west. In the 14th century the capital was moved to its present location at Nan.