nakhon phanom is in the the northeastern region of thailand, approximately 734 km northeast of bangkok and 378 km southwest of hanoi, vietnam. it borders laos on the khamoun province or the tha khaek district. nakhon phanom was prominent during the vietnam war,serving u.s. forces of the 56th air commando wing stationed at nakhon phanom royal thai air force base. their missions were search and rescue and interdiction of the ho chi minh trail in laos 48 km to the east.