Udon Thani City Museum....... The Udon Thani City Museum is housed in a colonial style building dating from the reign of King Rama VI, 100 years ago and on arrival here, you immediately witness the amount of TLC that this building has recently received. Next to the building is a modern structure which functions as a reception centre and registration point. The fact that you have to leave some ID at reception and get an electronic pass gives you some idea of how organised this museum is.
Once in the colonial building you are introduced to the huge amount of thought and work that has been put into it, both to retain is character and to create a state-of-the-art viewing experience. In fact, work here is still ongoing with not all features in use such the projectors while in some areas they are waiting for more exhibits.
The route through the museum takes you first to the geological timeline that has shaped the Korat Plateau today and the evolution of living things. Next there is a section on Ban Chiang which is a UNESCO archaeological site located in the province. Thereafter, there is no recorded history until recent times. The province used to be part of Lang Xang ruled from Luang Prabang in Laos. There were only villages then occupied by Thai Phuan people. The first settlements were created by the Chinese who wished for political independence. This caused friction with Bangkok and in the mid 19th Century, King Rama IV sent an army to the region to assert authority. In the process, an army camp was set up where modern Udon Thani is located.
The first governor was appointed in the reign of King Rama V, in the late 1800's. During this time the French occupied Vietnam and considered Laos as part of its territory too. Large parts of Laos had been under the control of Siamese kings but conflict with the France boiled over resulting in lands to the east of the Mekong River ceded to the French in 1893. This of course divided the Thai Phuan community that had suffered first at the hands of the Chinese and now the French. The result was mass exodus of people into Siamese lands. The Treaty of 1904 resulted in more land being ceded to France and tensions continued.
During WW2 Thailand submitted to the Japanese and again there was turmoil in the region as Thailand was again embroiled in a border war. The history books relate that it was here the first clashes of the Royal Thai Airforce took place.
After the war ended the French strove to assert its authority in Vietnam and Laos once more but it was too late. Nationalism under Ho Chi Minh had become deep routed. With the pro-western government in Vietnam in disarray the USA entered the war with the Communists in 1961. In this sad chapter in history, Thailand, wary of communism, allowed USA to create land and sea bases on its territory. As Udon Thani was a convenient flying distance from Vietnam, the US Air Force set up a base here. The main logistical problem was its distance from a seaport. It was during this time that the Americans built the Mittraphap (Friendship) Highway, the first all-weather dual-carriageway in Thailand. This road which I've used many times opened up the community in Udon Thani and the city has seen rapid growth ever since becoming a major transport and commercial hub and attracting a new breed of people.
It's clear that Udon Thani has witnesses great turmoil in its relatively short existence attracting immigrants from China, Loas, Vietnam and the West. Today the folk live in harmony with the land, rich in natural resources and enjoy peace.

Source: Site Visit