NAKHON PHANOM

Nakhon Phanom is a province by the Mekong River, giving it magnificent scenery. It is opposite Tha Khaek in Laos. An old city, it comprises people of different cultures.

Nakhon Phanom is 740 kilometres from Bangkok. The province has an area of 5,512 square kilometres. It consists of the following districts: Muang Nakhon Phanom, Pla Pak, Tha Uten, Phon Sawan, Ban Phaeng, That Phanom, Renu Nakhon, Na Kae, Si Songkhram, Na Wa, Na Thom and Wang Yang.

Wat Okat on the Mekhon bank is on Sunthon Wichit Road and is a temple that has been in the province since it was established. Many old Buddha images regarded as sacred by Buddhists are housed here. The temple also features beautiful wall murals.

Wat Si Thep is on Sunthon Wichit Road. The convocation hall and wall murals are exquisite. The temple houses Phra Saeng which is said to have been built along with Phra Suk and Phra Sai, important images of Nong Khai.

Wat Maha That, another temple on Sunthon Wichit Road, is on the Mekong bank. Phra That Nakhon is a sacred pagoda worshipped by Buddhists everywhere. It has a square base, 5.8 metres wide and 24 metre high. It was built by Phraya Ammat (Pom), the army commander-in-chief from Vientiane who built Nakhon Phanom city.

A walkway paralleling the Mekong is a perfect place to enjoy the area's scenery, particularly at sunset when the sun drops below the mountain on the Laos side.

Thai Muang Beach is a freshwater beach which occurs only during the dry season from February to April when it extends to the middle of the Mekong almost to the Laos bank. This another good place to enjoy the river view.

Phra That Tha Uten is opposite Hin Bun town in Laos. Similar to Phra That Phanom pagoda, it is 66 metres high and was constructed in 1912 to house the relics of monks brought from Yangon in Myanmar. To get there, take Highway No. 212 for 26 kilometres.

Phra Bang of Wat Tral Phum is a standing Buddha image 80 inches high with an octagon base with 8 elephants. Built in 1465, it is believed this sacred image can make rain.

Nam tok Tal Kham Forest Park is in Langka mountain range, 7 kilometres from Ban Phaeng on Highway No. 212. The small waterfall here falls down 4 levels. The place is ideal for relaxation.

Tat Pho Waterfall is 5 kilometres from Tat Kham waterfall. Equally beautiful, Tat Pho is best visited during the rainy season. The waterfall can be seen from the highway paralleling the Mekong. It is 11 kilometres from Ban Phaeng. As it is inaccessible by car, visitors must walk a little over 1 hour to the falls. Both sides of the falls are very good for nature watching.

Phra That Phanom is 50 kilometres from Nakhon Phanom town on Highway NO. 212. It is an important Buddhist site of the province. This square-shaped pagoda is 53 metres high and was guilt during 657-857. It is believed that is used to be of Khmer design but has been renovated through the years to its present Lao design.

The pagoda enshrines the holy relics of Lord Buddha. On August 11, 1975 at 19.00 hrs., the entire pagoda collapsed after many days of rainstorm. The Thai public subsequently made considerable donations to rebuild the pagoda back to its original splendor. People placed many valuables inside and topped the pagoda with a 110-kilometres solid gold spire.

Phra Achan Bua Temiyo Museum is at wat Sila Mongkhon in Ban Lak Sila, 5 kilometres from Amphoe That Phanom. The museum houses the remains of the famous monk Phra Achan Man Phuritatto and the religious items of another monk, Phra Achan Bua Temiyo. In addition, the well-preserved body of the latter monk is kept here and is much revered by locals.

Phra That Renu Nakhon is 52 kilometres south of Nakhon Phanom town on Highway No. 212. Upon reaching Km. 44, turn right and drive for 7 kilometres. The pagoda was built in 1918 and is 35 meters high. A Buddhist script and a gold Buddha image are housed inside.

Renu Nakhon is the home of many Phu That people. This indigenous group excels in woven products that are sought after by tourists.

Phra That Maha Chai is at Wat Khosadaram, Tambon Maha Chai, 40 kilometres from Nakhon Phanom town on the Nakhon Phanom-Sakon Nakhon (Highway No. 22). A 2-kilometre road leads to the temple. This important site houses the holy relics of Lord Buddha. Inside the convocation hall is the largest wooden Buddha image in Thailand. The hall also has a most beautiful mural of the life of Lord Buddha that is regarded as one of the finest and rarest of the Northeast.

Phra That Phanom Fair takes place every February. Thousands of locals and people from nearby provinces flock to the temple to pay homage to this sacred place.

IIlumianted Boats Procession is organized at the end of the Buddhist Lent or every November, Boats are iIIumiated with colorful lights and arranged into various designs to pay homage to Lord Buddha. Once lit up, the boats make for a spectacular sight,. In conjunction with the festival, provincial authorities have also organized a boat race between Thai and Lao teams to promote good relations.

The most popular local products are silk and Mat Mi cotton. They are produced in Renu Nakhon, That Phanom, Si Songkhram, and Na Wa, Reed mats and products woven from reed are made in large numbers at Ban Lao Phatthana and Khaen (a northeastern musical instrument) is made at Ban Tha Rua, Na Wa and Ban Phanom.