The Wang Thong River (, , , also known as the Khek River) is a river in Thailand. Its source lies in the Phetchabun Mountains in the Khao Kho District, Thailand. It flows through Thung Salaeng Luang National Park and forms Namtok Sri Dit and Namtok Kaeng Sopha (Kaeng Sopha Waterfall) in the Wang Thong District of Phitsanulok Province, and finally flows through into the Bang Krathum District, passing through Ban Sam Ruen and on to the border of Phitsanulok and Phichit, where it drains into the Nan River at . The land drained by the Wang Thong River is part of the Nan Basin and the Chao Phraya Watershed. Etymology Of the names Khek and Wang Thong, Khek (Thai: เข็ก) is the older name for the river. The work Khek is another name for the ethnicity more commonly known as Hakka. The two words are cognates of Chinese 客家 (meaning house-guest). The river derives its modern name Wang Thong from its path through Amphoe Wang Thong. The first element wang (Thai: วัง) means palace. The second element thong (Thai: ทอง) means gold. This Thai word for gold was borrowed from the Tamil language of Sri Lanka. The name of the river translates to River of the Golden Palace. History The early Ban Wang Thong and Ban Saphan communities relied heavily on the Wang Thong River. Before the construction of highways, most traffic to Phichit and Nakhon Sawan was via boat. Brotherly Villages Boat Race The Wang Thong river was historically the site for a boat race between the villagers of Ban Wang Thong and Ban Saphan. The race took place annually in November after the rainy season. The original boat race was discontinued prior to the 1940s. In 1982, a plan to reintroduce the Brotherly Villages Boat Race was discussed by senior local officials, the traders of the Wang Thong Market, farmer organizations and the abbot of Wat Bang Saphan to promote the unity of the community. Rather than having one village compete against the other as in earlier days, the new boat race involves competition between local farmer and village organizations. The first race in the reborn competition was opened by District Officer Naaj Amphoe. The present form of the boat race involves less ritual activities than the pre-1940s races. Khek River Rafting Festival Tourists come to the Wang Thong River to see the waterfalls along its path,