The word sakon originates from the Sanskrit word sakala meaning 'entire', 'whole', or 'total', and the wordnakhon from Sanskrit nagara meaning 'town' or 'city'. Hence the name of the province literally means "city of cities".
The history of Sakon Nakhon dated back for about three thousand years. Local legend says that Mueang Nong Han Luang, or presently Sakhon Nakhon, was built in 11thcentury when Khmer ruled this region. When Khmer lost its power, the town was under the rules of Lan Xang or Lao Kingdom. It was renamed into "Mueang Chiang Mai Nong Han". When the town was under Siam, it was renamed again into "Sakhon Thawapi" in 1830, during King Rama III's reign, it was renamed "Sakon Nakhon". Phu Phan Mountains in the area of Sakon Nakhon, especially Sawang Daen Din, formerly a stronghold of the Communist Party of Thailand.
Fish and rice are two of the major products of the region. Kho Khun Pon Yang Kham is branded as Thailand's best-quality beef, produced by Pon Yang Kham Breeding Cooperatives, which was incorporated in 1980 in Ban Pon Yang Kham in Mueang Sankhon Nakhon. It has created a great reputation for the province. Kho Khun Pon Yang Kham is regarded as "Thai Kobe beef".
Transportation
Rail
Sakon Nakhon does not have a train service yet. People who want to travel to Sakon Nakhon by train can get off at Udon Ratchathani Railway Station in neighboring province Udon Thani. Then take a local bus to Sakon Nakhon, the distance is approximately 156 km.
Roads
Route 22 leads north to Udon Thani, 160 km distant, and east to Nakhon Phanom and the border with Laos. Route 223 leads south to That Phanom. Route 213 leads west to Kalasin.
The province is divided into 18 districts. The districts are further divided into 125 subdistricts and 1,323 villages.
Local government
As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Sakon Nakhon Provincial Administration Organisation and 66 municipal areas in the province. Sakon Nakhon has city status. Further 65 subdistrict municipalities. The non-municipal areas are administered by 74 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO.
Prasat Pueng Procession: held during the 12th-15th day of waxing moon in October to mark the end of Buddhist Lent. On the night of 13thday, people will join hands in decoration Prasat Pueng at Ming Mueang Field. The 14thday, wax castel from various temples will join the procession, roaming the municipality to Wat Phra That Choeng Chum. Isan people believe that the wax will welcome Lord Buddha who comes back from the heaven to help all creatures on earth.
Regatta: held synchronically with the Prasat Pueng Procession, the ancient regatta will be held at Phang Thong Pond or Tha Nang Ap, Ban Tha Wat.
Tha Rae Star Procession: is a tradition unique to the world and has been held annually during Christmas Eve since 1982, the celebrations and procession will take place at Ban Tha Rae, home to Thailand's largest Roman Catholic community, in Mueang Sakhon Nakhon.
Notable people
Born in Sakhon Nakhon
Dusit Chalermsan: professional footballer, football coach
Suree Sukha: professional footballer
Surat Sukha: professional footballer
Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool: professional footballer
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym: a world-class professional boxer
