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Thailand Province Guide

Nong Bua Lamphu

หนองบัวลำภู · Northeast Thailand

off-the-beaten-pathcavesrural Isaan
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About Nong Bua Lamphu Province

Nong Bua Lamphu is one of Thailand's youngest and least-visited provinces, carved out of Udon Thani in 1993. It is a quiet, agricultural area whose main attractions are caves, forested hills and a strong sense of everyday Isaan life away from any tourist trail. Highlights include Erawan Cave with its hilltop Buddha image and the scenic Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham National Park, both within easy reach of Udon Thani for a half-day or overnight side trip.

Key facts

Population
509,470 (2020)
Area
3,859 km²
Density
132 / km²
Districts
6
Capital
Nong Bua Lam Phu
ISO code
TH-39
All 6 districts

Mueang Nong Bua Lam Phu · Na Klang · Na Wang · Non Sang · Si Bun Rueang · Suwannakhuha

Top Highlights

  • Tham Erawan (Erawan Cave) with a hilltop Buddha image and panoramic views

  • Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham National Park, with viewpoints and reservoir scenery

  • Wat Tham Klong Phen, a forest monastery linked to Ajahn Khao Analayo

  • Quiet rural villages and rice fields giving an unfiltered taste of everyday Isaan

Getting There

Nong Bua Lamphu has no airport or train station. Most travellers fly into Udon Thani and continue by road in about an hour, or take a bus from Bangkok's Mo Chit (9–10 hours) and Khon Kaen (around 2 hours).

Inside Nong Bua Lamphu

Districts (6)

Mueang Nong Bua Lam Phu ·Na Klang ·Na Wang ·Non Sang ·Si Bun Rueang ·Suwannakhuha

Mapped in Nong Bua Lamphu

49 places of interest recorded in OpenStreetMap. Coverage is contributed by volunteers and varies by area, so treat these as a guide to what is mapped rather than a complete inventory.

  • 36Temples
  • 5Viewpoints
  • 3Museums
  • 3Attractions
  • 1Waterfalls
  • 1Historic sites

Named examples

  • Tham Kong Phen Monastery
  • Luang Poo Khao Analayo's Articles Museum
  • pho Thong
  • Wat Burapharam
  • Wat Pa Thep Mongkhon
  • Wat Pa Sok Chan Thep Nimit
  • Wat Pa Nikhom Upatham
  • Wat Si Samai

© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Harvested 2026-08-01.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources

Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.

  1. 1.Q261241 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
  2. 2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
  3. 3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026

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Factual claims on this page are sourced and dated. Where something could not be verified, we say so rather than guessing.

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Nong Bua Lamphu

หนองบัวลำภู

Region

Northeast Thailand

Capital

Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu

Best For

off-the-beaten-pathcavesrural Isaan

Highlights

  • Tham Erawan (Erawan Cave) with a hilltop Buddha image and panoramic views
  • Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham National Park, with viewpoints and reservoir scenery
  • Wat Tham Klong Phen, a forest monastery linked to Ajahn Khao Analayo
  • Quiet rural villages and rice fields giving an unfiltered taste of everyday Isaan
View all 76 province guides →
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