 Phu Sa Dok
Bua National
Park
Located in areas covering three provinces-Nikhom Kham Soi and don Tan
Districts of Mukdahan, Lerng Nok Ta district of Yasothon and
Senagka-nikhom of Amnat Charoen, with a total of 252 sq. kms. The
terrains in general are mountainous stretching from the northwest to the
southeast. Its rich and fertile jungles are habitats to a great number
of different plant life. There are several large stone flatlands in
different locations locally called "Dan". The jungles of mostly mixed
plants and trees and arid jungles are scattered around with numerous
wildlife. Around Phu Sa Dokbua in particular, which is vast tract of
jungles with plentiful water sources, can be found wildlife such as
deer, wild boar, wild hare, squirrel, porcupine and fowls such as
pheasants. Within the national park are mixed with scenic natural
beauty, the fascinating stone cliffs and evidence of former armed
struggles due to political differences.
Major attractions in the park include:-
• Phu Pha Taem
is a cliff
adorned with pre-historic pictures of palm-prints and color paintings
believed to be of the same age as the color paintings at Phu Pha Terb
National Park in Mukdahan and the Pha Taem National Park. The cliff face
itself looks somewhat like caves because of rock slides. The paintings
are about 7-12 m. over the cave floor, the cave being about 60 m. long.
• Pha Ma Klua
is a site suitable for relaxation and for viewing the surroundings.
Located near Phu Pha Taem, it is stone ground under the cliff hangings
and pleasant with an assortment of plants and trees.
• Phu Wat Stone
Ground is popular relaxation spot for the local people.
Crowds of villagers visit the site over Songkran and religious days.
• Phu Pha Hom
offers a panoramic view from the Phu Pha Taem mountain. Other
mounts such as Phu Mu, Phu Phang Ma, Phu Mai Samg, Phu Song and Phu
Akrachart can be seen from here. Visitors come here to witness the
sunset to record the beautiful scene and to spend the night.
• The 423 m-high
Phu Sa Dokbua
is situated on the
bordering points of three provinces. Atop the mount are several rocky
depressions, each measuring about 2-5 m. wide filled with different
genres of water lilies throughout the year, the blooms of which are most
attractive and lovely. Nearby is a large cave which used to be the
hide-out of Communist followers which could accommodate up to 100
persons.
• Phu Pha Taek
,known as Hill 420 during past armed conflicts, is today a viewing point
for the beautiful scenery in the area. From the north side can be seen
the far-off mountain range of the Mukdahan National Park.
Many stone grounds and timber woods can be found. The stone grounds can
be as extensive as covering an area of 20-40 Rai (one Rai equals 1,600
sq.m.) while timbers alternate with prairies creating some interesting
scenery.
• The Phu Sa
Dok Bua National
Park can be reached by Highway No.2277 (Lerng Nok Ta-don Tan route). It
is about one kilometer off the highway at a point between markers Km.
24-26, a distance of 60 kms. from the provincial town. The park
headquarters are located at the Huay Hin Chai Reservoir at Moo 3, Ban
Nong Mek, Don Tan district, Mukdahan province.
Further information
from the park office at Tel: (042) 619076, or call the National Park
Division, Forestry Department, Tel:5790529, 5794842.
The Mekhong at Chanuman
Chanuman is a district about 80 kms. from the provincial
town where the land runs alongside the Mekong River for a distance of
some 38 kms. affording a wonderful view of the natural scenery of both
sides of the river. Rapids which emerge during the dry season
(February-May) such as Kaeng Hin Khan (13 kms. south of Chanuman) are
quite exciting and eye-catching.
The Don Chao Phu
The Don Chao Phu, is a 260 Rai community park with
assorted plants and serves as habitat to large groups of monkeys.
The Chit Sakon Agro-park
Located on the outskirts of Amnat Charoen near the Chit
Sakon Resort, is a garden of flowering plants, notably the marigolds.
Visitors can take park in some activities at the facility. |
Located within the Muang municipality. It is about 3 kms. to the north
of town. The surrounding is naturally decorated with rocks and stones
and rich in various plants and trees, transforming it into a park (Utthayan).
The Phra Mongkhon Ming Muang statue, commonly referred to as Phra Yai, in
the Mam Vichai (Victory Over Evil) posture. has a lap width of 11 m. and
is 20 m. tall from the ground level to the top of the edifice. Artistic
influence of North India (Pala) prevalent a thousand years ago, can be
detected. The original statue, with a 8.4 m. wide base, a length of 12.6
m. and 5.2 m. tall, has later been renovated and covered with golden
mosaic tiles in 2508 B.E. (1995). Phra Mongkhon Ming Muang is a
marvelous statue of the Northeast and a historic image of both Amnat
Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani. Behind the statue are two other images but
of different characteristics. Covered with soft yellow robes, they are
called "Phra La Hai" or
"Phra Khi Lai", meaning not beautiful. The
description is based on the shape of ancient Buddha statues. They were
discovered in 2505 BE. (1962) during restoration undertakings around the
area. They are regarded as talisman of luck and the local people
regularly seek blessings from them.
The entire design is
influenced by the Tharavadi style of the Central Region.
