Most of the province is covered by hilly landscape. The town of Kalasin is at an elevation of 152 m. In the north is the Lam Pao Dam built from 1963-1968. It stores 1,430 million m³ of water for flood prevention and agriculture. The Lam Pao reservoir effectively cuts the northern part of the province in half, but there are car ferries connecting the district of Sahatsakhan in the east with the district Nong Kung Si in the west, saving up to one hour off the journey by road. On the northwestern creek of the reservoir a road bridge connects the village of Ban Dong Bang in the west with the district town of Wang Sam Mo in the east. Although the bridge was constructed several years ago it is not featured on any commercially available road maps. The Phu Phan mountain range marks the border with Sakhon Nakhon Province, part of which is preserved as a national park. Kalasin is known for the dinosaur fossils found at Phu Kum Khao, the largest dinosaur site in Thailand. Most of the fossils are sauropods from 120 million years ago.
Economy
Kalasin is an agricultural province producing sticky rice and other cash crops such as manioc and sugar cane. Families are generally poor in this essentially rural area and make ends meet by producing baskets and the silk for which the region is renowned.
History
Archaeological excavations show that the Lawa tribe lived in the area some 1,600 years ago. The first official town was founded in 1793. During the Thesaphiban reforms in the reign of King Rama Vat the beginning of the 20th century, the town was upgraded to a province. In 1932, when the country experienced the great economic depression, the province was demoted and absorbed as a district by Maha Sarakham Province to reduce the financial burden on the country, Kalasin was dependent on Maha Sarakham for 16 years. After the great recession and World War II, it once again became a province in 1947.
Symbols
The seal of the province shows a pond in front of the Phu Phan Mountains which form the boundary of the province. The water in the pond is black, as the name Kalasin means "black water". The big clouds as well as the water symbolize the fertility of the province. The provincial logo and landmark is the Phra That Yakhu, an octagonal-shaped chedi, made of bricks. The provincial flower is payorm or sweet shorea, and the provincial tree is sa-mae-san . The provincial slogan is Fa Daet Song Yang ancient city, Pong Lang folk music, Phu Thai culture, Phrae Wa silk, Pha Saweoi Phu Phan, Lam Pao River, and million-year dinosaurs.
Administrative divisions
Provincial government
The province is divided into 18 districts. The districts are further divided into 134 subdistricts and 1,509 villages.
Local government
As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Kalasin Provincial Administration Organisation and 79 municipal areas in the province. Kalasin and Bua Khao have town status. Further 77 subdistrict municipalities. The non-municipal areas are administered by 71 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO.
