Nakhon Phanom, a northeastern province along the Mekong River, has deep historical roots dating back to the ancient Kingdom of Sri Kotrabun. Originally, the kingdom's center was on the left bank of the Mekong (present-day Laos) before shifting across the river. According to ancient texts, the Buddha visited this area, predicting that after his passing, the settlement would be relocated to a bamboo forest, which was later known as "Marukhanakhon" ("City of the Bamboo Grove").

Throughout its history, Sri Kotrabun evolved from an independent kingdom into a part of the Khmer Empire and later the Lao Kingdom of Lan Xang, which governed it as a royal city. In the late 18th century, King Taksin of Thonburi conquered the region, and in 1786, King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty renamed it "Nakhon Phanom" to reflect its elevated status as a royal city and its mountainous surroundings (“Phanom” meaning “mountain”). This renaming acknowledged the province’s cultural and religious significance, particularly as home to the revered Phra That Phanom stupa.

Nakhon Phanom’s storied past, blending influences from ancient Khmer, Lan Xang, and Thai rule, remains central to its identity today, with its cultural heritage attracting visitors to its sacred sites and historical landmarks.