Amnat Charoen, officially established as a province in 1993, has a rich historical background dating back over 150 years. Originally settled by immigrants from Laos in 1850, the town of Ban Kho Yai (now Ban Amnat) was elevated to a city under King Mongkut (Rama IV) in 1858. The city, named Amnat Charoen, meaning “city of immense power,” was governed as a district under Ubon Ratchathani Province before gaining provincial status. King Chulalongkorn reformed local governance, establishing Amnat Charoen as an administrative center under Ubon Ratchathani, with the first district head appointed in 1916.
In 1993, Amnat Charoen became an official province, initially comprised of seven districts: Mueang Amnat Charoen, Chanuman, Phathum Ratchawongsa, Phana, Hua Taphan, Senangkhanikhom, and Lue Amnat. The province’s strategic location on the Mekong River forms a 38-kilometer natural boundary with Laos. The terrain is generally low-lying with gently rolling hills and fertile land fed by the Lam Sebok and Lam Se Bai rivers. The area’s sandy and loamy soils support agriculture, contributing to the local economy.
Today, Amnat Charoen covers approximately 3,161 square kilometers and is about 585 kilometers from Bangkok by car. Its borders meet Yasothon, Mukdahan, and Ubon Ratchathani Provinces in Thailand, and its northeastern edge runs along the Mekong, offering a distinct connection to Laos.
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