Nakhon Phanom, once the center of the ancient Sri Kotrabun Kingdom, lies adjacent to the Mekong River, 735 kms northeast of Bangkok. The area was long settled by ethnic Lao people and belonged to the Lan Xang kingdom even after it came under the control of Ayutthaya. At first it was known as 'Si Kotrabun', and during the times of King Rama I as 'Maruka Nakhon'.