Champasak

Capital

Pakse

Champasak also called Champassak or Champasack is a province in southwestern Laos, near the borders with Thailand and Cambodia. It is one of the three principalities that succeeded the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang. Population: 500,994 (2001 estimate). The river Mekong flows through the province. The capital of the province is Pakxe, but it takes its name from Champasak, the former capital of the Kingdom of Champasak. Champasak plays a central role in the history of Siam and Laos, with frequent battles taking place in and around Champasak. An English translation of Thao Suranaree, History of Important Thais, authored by Manit Plophinit and translated by Frank G Anderson, details the many references to Champasak.

The small town of Champasak, location of the Khmer ruins of Wat Phu, is the seat of the district of Champasak. Khone Phapheng Falls is in the province.

Neighboring are (from North clockwise) the provinces Salavan, Xekong and Attapu, as well as Cambodia (provinces Stung Treng and Preah Vihear) to the south and Thailand (Ubon Ratchathani Province) to the west.

Champasak can be reached from Thailand through the Chong Mek border crossing, at Vang Tao, from where the highway leads east towards the city of Pakxe. Crossing the border at Chong Mek is relatively straightforward, as there are large border posts on both sides of the border, as well as large outdoor markets. It is possible to obtain a Lao visa from this border post, and Thai baht and American dollars are widely accepted for purchases on the Lao side of the border.