KALASIN


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KALASIN

Kalasin, the land of Pong Lang music and the famous Phrae Wa cloth, is 519 kilometres from Bangkok. It is the site of the ancient city of Fa Daet Song Yang and one of the largest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in northeastern Thailand.

Kalasin has an area of 6,946 square kilometres. It is divided into 18 districts (Amphoe): Muang Kalasin, Yang Talat, Kamalasai, Sahatsakhan, Kuchi Narai, Tha Kgantho, Somdet, Khao Wong, Huai Mek, Kham Muang, Nong Kung Si, Na Mon, Huai Phung, Rong Kham, Na Khu, Sam Chai, Don Chan and Khong Chai.

Phraya Chai Sunthon Monument is in front of the post office in the city. Phrary Chai Sunthon or Thao Somphamit evacuated people from the bank of the Mekong River to settle along the Pao River over 200 years ago.

Wat Klang ้has an important artifact, which is the Ong Dam Buddha image. This bronze image has beautiful features. It is 20 inches wide. The base has an inscription in ancient Thai. It is said that the image can grant seasonal rainfall. The temple also has a replica of Lord Buddha's footprint made from old laterite.

Wat Si Bun Ruang is an old temple in the municipality. Some heart-shaped stones that marked the limits of a temple in Fa Daet Song Yang are Kept here, the most beautiful being the one with an angel flying above a castle and a king and his family portrayed in the lower part. This is traditional northeastern art.

Fa Daet Song Yang is a town on Highway No. 214 (Kalasin-Roi Et). From Kalasin, drive for 13 kilometres to Kamalasai, then turn right and drive for 6 kilometres. the present location is Ban Sema, Tambon Nong Paen. There is evidence of a settlement in prehistoric times, the area flourishing during the Dvaravati period circa the 13th-15th Buddhist century. The layout of the town is like a heart-shaped stone that defines a temple's boundary. There are two rows of moats. Ruins have been found inside and outside the town area. The most complete ruin is Phra Taht Yakhu, a brick pagoda. Sandstone temple markers with and without designs have been found here and are now housed in Wat Pho Chai Semaram in the village and in the Khon Kaen National Museum. In addition, amulets and tobacco pies made of fired clay and bronze were unearthed here.

Lam Pao Dam can be reached by taking Highway No. 209 (Kalasin - Maha Sarakham) for 10 kilometres, turn right and drive for 26 kilometres. This dam is 33 metres high from water level and is 7.8 kilometres long. The dam is built across the Pao and Huai Yan rivers, creating a double reservoir. It was built to alleviate floods, help agriculture and is also used for fish breeding. The beach along the lake is a popular rest spot for locals.

Suan Sa-on is a nature and wildlife education centre to the east of Lam Pao dam. Suan Sa-on is a natural open zoo with plenty of wildlife, including the rare red gaur, which is the symbol of the park.

Dinosaur fossils at Phu Kum Khao can be seen by taking Highway No. 227 for 30 kilometres, turn right to Wat Sakkawan 1 kilometre away. Phu Kum Khao has the largest concentration of dinosaur fossils in Thailand. Numerous fossils were found in rock layers. The Department of Mineral Resources has excavated some areas where entire skeletons are now clearly visible. Most are Sauropods, large, long- necked, plant-eating dinosaurs which lived about 130 million years ago.

Phra Phuttha Saiyat Phu Khao is in Wat Phuttha Numit, Ban Na Si Nuan, Tambon Non Sila, 39 kilometres from Kalasin on Highway No. 227. There is a 6 kilometres road on the left from the highway. This ancient reclining Buddha image was carved under a cliff. This image is unusual to other reclining images in that it is leaning on its left hand rather than on its right hand. It was built in 1692.

Phuttha Sathan Phu Sing is 32 kilometres to the north of Kalasin on Highway No. 227. Visitors can either drive to the top or ascend the 104 steps. The hill is where Phra Phrom Phumi Palo is located. It is a large image in the Man Wichai (demon defeat) that is 10.5 metres wide and is clearly visible from below. The surrounding area is shady and offers a lovely panoramic view.

Ban Phon Phrae Wa silk can be found 70 kilometres from Kalasin. It is the province's most famous and most beautiful woven cloth. The cloth is made of Mat Mi silk and shows exemplary workmanship. It is unique to the Phu Thai tribe whose ancestors migrated from the city of Thaeng in Vietnam. Nowadays many colours are used other than the traditional red.

Kaeng Ka-am waterfall is 55 kilometres from Kalasin on the Lalasin-Sakon Nakhon route on Highway No. 21 3,300 metres from the highway on the left. This is a small waterfall cascading down a long row of rocks and has wide, open rock plateau suitable for relaxation.

Pong Lang, Phrae Wa and Red Cross Extravaganze is held in late February in front of the Provincial Hall. The fair features processions of the various districts decorated as Pong Lang, a northeastern musical instrument, and participants dressed in traditional costumes. In addition, there are variety of local cultural performances and there are shops selling a wide range of goods.

Famous products of Kalasin include Phrae Wa silk from Ban Phon in kham Muang, bamboo and cloth bags from Ban Nong Hang in Kuchi Narai and Pong Lang which can be purchased at the Provincial Cuitural centre in A nukun Nari School, the Arts and Culture Promotion centre in Thirawat Hospital and souvenir shops in the city.