CHAIYAPHUM


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CHAIYAPHUM

Chaiyaphum is a province in the centre of Thailand. It is well known in tourism terms because it has beautiful flower fields Chaiyaphum was founded over 2 centuries ago during the early Rattanakosin period by a group of Vientiane people led by Nai Lae.

Chaiyaphum is 324 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 12,778 square kilometres. It consists of the following districts: Muang Chaiyaphum, Khon Sawan, Kaeng Khro, Ban Thaen, Phu Khieo, Kaset Sombun, Khon San, Nong Bua Daeng, Ban Khwao, Chaturat, Bamnet Narong, Thep Sathit, Nong Bua Rawe, Phakdi Chumphon, Noen Sanga and Sap Yai.

Phraya Phakdi Chumphon monument is at Sun Ratchakan roundabout on the way into the city. The people of Chaiyaphum built it to honour the city's founder.

Chao Pho Phraya Lae shrine is on the bank of Nong Pla Thao, 3 kilometres from the city, on the way to Ban Khwao. There is a large tamarind tree on the bank which is said to be where Chao Phraya Lae died fighting Vientiane Soldiers in 1826.

Tat Ton National Park covers some parts of Phu Laen Kha Mountain range. To get there, take Highway No. 2051 for 21 kilometres. Tat Ton waterfall is an important tourist spot. The water here cascades sown wide rock plateaus, creating breathtaking scenery, especially in the rainy season when there is plenty of water. The park also has Pha lang waterfall, which is 32 kilometres from the city on the Chaiyaphum-Nong Bua Daeng road, and Tat Fa waterfall, which is 25 kilometres from the city on the Chaiyaphum-Kaeng Khro road.

Prang Ku is at Ban Nong Bua, Tambon Nai Muang, 3 kilometres from the city, Prang Ku is a Khmer-style ancient site built in the 18th Buddhist century. The main pagoda is square with a length of 5 metres on each side. A stone Buddha image in the meditation posture from the Dvaravati period that was moved from elsewhere is beside it, A building is situated in front of the pagoda surrounded by a wall. Everything is made of laterite except for the door and window frames, the lintel and columns that are made of sandstone. Outside the wall is a pool in perfect condition.

Phu Phra at Ban Kanaisa, Tambon Na Sieo, is a small mountain with drawings of Buddha images from the U-Thong period on the face of a cliff. They date from the 18th-19th Buddhist century, around the early Ayutthaya period. There is a fair to pay homage to the drawings every April for 3 days. To get there, take Highway No. 201 (Chaiyaphum-Phu Khiao) for 13 kilometres, then turn left onto the Na Sieo-Huai Chan road and drive for 6 kilometres.

Ban Khwao is famous for silk weaving and cotton of good quality and lovely designs. It is particularly and lovely designs. It is particularly well known for its Mat Mi silk that is popular among those who favour traditional fabrics. The designs is 13 kilometres from Amphoe Muang on Highway No. 225. Another attraction here is the large swamp that is home to waterfowls, which migrate here during October to January.

Pa Hin Ngam National Park can be reached via the Bangkok-Saraburi_Chai Badan route, then connecting to Highway No.205 (Chai Badan-Thep Sthit-Chaiyaphum). Then take a left-hand road just before the district for 29 kilomtres. The park is littered with large rocks of unusual shapes, some resembling a nail, a serpent's head and an ancient castle. In the early part of the rainy season in July, Dok Krachiao , a jungle flower with an underground bulb, will sprout pink blooms all over the area. With winter come orchids emerging from rock cracks and innumerable types of jungle flowers. Sut Phaen Dinุ is a steep cliff that connects the Northeast to the Central region. Visitors can get a panoramic view of the surrounding area from here. Tents can be set up for overnighters in the park.

Thep Prathan and Thep Phanom waterfalls are medium-sized waterfalls at their loveliest in the rainy season. They are 34 kilometres and 48 kilometres from Thep Sathit district, respectively.

Sai Thong National Park covers 340 square kilometres of Phang Hoei mountain range. The park headquarters is at Tambon Wang Takhe. To go to the park, take the Chaiyaphum-Nakhon Sawan road (Highway No. 225) to Km. 121-122, turn right and drive for 7 kilometres. The most important attraction of the park is Sai Thong waterfall, 1 kilometre from the park office. Water falls smoothly down rocks, about 100 meters from top to bottom. There is also a wide field of Dok Krachiao Taht rivals the flowers in Pa Hin Ngam in Amphoe Thep Sathit. The field can be reached only on foot and visitors should stay there overnight.

Ban Khae decorative trees can be found at Ban Khae, which is about 1 kilometre from Amphoe Phu Khieo on Highway No. 201. The trees are sought after for garden decoration and they constitute the main occupation of the village. Several trees are taken and bent into interesting shapes, then sold to visitors.

Phra Taht Nong Sam Mun can be reached from chaiyaphum by taking Highway No. 201 past Phu Khieo to ban Nong Song Hong for 75 kilometres, then turn left onto Highway No. 2055 and drive for 9 kilometres to Ban Kaeng. There, turn left and drive for a further 5 kilometres. This square-based pagoda is 32 meters wide and 45 meters high. It is one of the most complete and most beautiful pagodas to be found. Incorporating art from the Lanna, Lan Chang and Ayutthaya periods, it is believed to have been built during the 21st-22nd Buddhist century.

The present site of the pagoda used to be the site of an ancient city from the Dvaravati period that flourished during the 12th-16th Buddhist century. Traces of a moat and buildings remain. Many artefacts have been discovered here such as sandstone temple markers and Khmer-style sculptures.

Chulabhorn Dam is at Tambon Thung Phra and dams the Phrom River. It is rock-filled dam with an earth core. The dam is 700 metres long and 70 metres high. It is used to generate electricity and irrigation. Boat rentals are available to view the sights of the reservoir. To get to the dam, take the Chaiyaphum-Chum Phae road (Highway No. 21) to Nong Song Hong junction, then turn left onto Highway No. 2055, a total distance of 120 kilometres from Chaiyaphum.

Phu Khieo Wildlife Reserve is on the same way as Chulabhorn Dam between Km. 24-25. It has an area of 1,560 square kilometres. The geography consists of a sandstone mountain range with high cliffs. The verdant jungle is the watershed of an important river of the Northeast called the Chi and is home to an abundance of wild animals, as well as over 350 bird species. The reserve is ideal for studying flora and fauna. The most interesting spot is Thung Kamang, a grass field that is the grazing ground for many animals. The reserve is open only to persons wishing to study nature. Permission must be obtained from the reserve chief by writing to P.O. Box 3, Chum Phae Post Office, Khon Kaen or contact the Wildlife Reserve Section, Royal Forestry Department, Bang Khen, Bangkok.

Pha Koeng is part of Phu Lankha, 36 kilometres from the city on Highway No. 2159. Along the road there is large rock jutting out. At the top is the Chaiyaphum Phitank Buddha image that 14 feet high. The cliff offers a good view of the area.

Chao pho Phray Lae Festival is held during January 12-20 every year. The festival's highlight is a procession to pay homage to Phraya Lae, an elephant parade, shops selling many products, exhibitions.

Candle Festival in July. This Buddhist ceremony features a procession and a candle contest with candles as elaborate as those in the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani.

Items visitors to Chaiyaphum buy include Mat Mi silk, cotton clothes, Khit clothes, Khwan pillows, and other woven products. They can be purchased from shops in the city and in Phu Khieo district.