Thakhek

Thakhek (Lao language: ທ່າແຂກ, pronounced [tʰāː kʰɛ̏ːk]), the capital of Khammouane Province, is a town in south-central Laos on the Mekong River. The Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, linking Thakhek and Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, across the river, started in 2009 and was opened on 11 November 2011.

Thakhek
ທ່າແຂກ
District & municipality
Thakhek District
Thakhek centre
Thakhek centre
Thakhek is located in Laos
Thakhek
Thakhek
Location in Laos
Coordinates: 17°24′N 104°48′E
Country Laos
ProvinceKhammouane Province
DistrictThakhek District
Population
 (2020)
 • Total85,000[1]
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)

The city has many French colonial style official buildings, villas, and shops. In 1943, 85% of the population of Thakhek were Vietnamese due to the French policy of encouraging Vietnamese immigrants to Laos.[2] Remnants of the abortive Thakhek-Tan Ap railway can be seen in and near the town. The railway would have run between Thakhek and Tân Ấp Railway Station, Quảng Bình Province, Vietnam through the Mụ Giạ Pass.

Lao people at the Souk Somboun Market. Thakhek, Khammouan Province, Laos.

Western scientists first encountered the Laotian rock rat, kha nyou (Laonastes aenigmamus), in Thakhek's market.

View of Thakhek from the banks of the Mekong in Nakhon Phanom.

Climate
Climate data for Thakhek
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29
(84)		 31
(87)		 33
(91)		 34
(94)		 33
(91)		 31
(88)		 29
(85)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 31
(87)		 30
(86)		 28
(83)		 31
(87)
Average low °C (°F) 13
(56)		 17
(62)		 19
(67)		 22
(72)		 24
(75)		 24
(76)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(74)		 20
(68)		 18
(64)		 14
(58)		 21
(69)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 2.5
(0.1)		 28
(1.1)		 41
(1.6)		 100
(4)		 280
(10.9)		 340
(13.2)		 560
(22.1)		 540
(21.1)		 410
(16.1)		 64
(2.5)		 10
(0.4)		 7.6
(0.3)		 2,370
(93.4)
Source: Weatherbase [3]

References
  1. "Main Cities by Population in Laos". Worldometers. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  2. Stuart-Fox, Martin (1997). A History of Laos. Cambridge University Press. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-521-59746-3. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  3. "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Thakhek, Laos". Weatherbase. 2011. Retrieved on 24 November 2011
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