Na Haeo district

Na Haeo (Thai: นาแห้ว; IPA: [nāː hɛ̂w]) is the westernmost district (amphoe) of Loei province, northeastern Thailand.

Na Haeo นาแห้ว
District
District location in Loei province
Coordinates: 17°29′6″N 101°4′12″E
Country	Thailand
Province	Loei
Seat	Na Haeo
Area
• Total	628.0 km2 (242.5 sq mi)
Population  (2005)
• Total	11,011
• Density	17.5/km2 (45/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code	42170
Geocode	4206

History

Na Haeo area was the rural part of Dan Sai district. For people in Na Haeo it was inconvenient due to the distance involved. The government split off the two tambons Na Haeo and Na Phueng from Dan Sai District and created a minor district (king amphoe) on 15 February 1970.^[1] It was upgraded to a full district on 8 September 1976.^[2]

Na Haeo is considered the land of 500-years old cultural civilization. Therefore, there are many priceless ancient remains such as Wat Pho Chai Na Phueng temple in Na Phueng subdistrict. This old temple has beautiful murals in Isan style inside and outside the ordination hall called 'hup taem.' The principle Buddha image has been housed in the temple since it was first built in which is more than 400 years ago. According to the study by the Fine Arts Department, construction in Wat Pho Chai Na Phueng and the Buddha image of the temple more than 450 years old.

In the present place is the Ban Mueang Phrae market. A marketplace on the Thai-Laos border along the Hueang River, lots of locals are relatives. In King Rama V's reign, the settlement about borderline between Siam (Thailand at that time) and France was made and since then the other side of the river became part of Laos.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the east clockwise): Dan Sai of Loei Province, Nakhon Thai and Chat Trakan of Phitsanulok province. To the north is Xaignabouli province of Laos.

The important water resource is the Hueang River.

Phu Suan Sai National Park is in this district.^[3]

The northern part of the district reaches the southern end of the Luang Prabang Range mountain area of the Thai highlands.^[4]

Administration

The district is divided into five subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 34 villages (mubans). Na Haeo is a township (thesaban tambon) which covers parts of tambon Na Haeo. There are a further four tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No.	Name	Thai name	Villages	Pop.
1.	Na Haeo	นาแห้ว	7	2,020
2.	Saeng Pha	แสงภา	6	1,782
3.	Na Phueng	นาพึง	8	2,123
4.	Na Ma La	นามาลา	8	2,920
5.	Lao Ko Hok	เหล่ากอหก	5	2,166