Kalasin hotels and travel guide to Isan, Thailand. By Sawadee.com

Thailand destinations: Bangkok, northern Provinces, Isan (North-east), Pattaya, ...

Introduction

Kalasin is 519 kilometers from Bangkok and administratively divided into 14 Amphoes and 4 King Amphoes (Subdistricts), they are Amphoe Muang Kalasin, Amphoe Yang Talat, Amphoe Kamalasai, Amphoe Tha Khantho, Amphoe Khao Wong. Amphoe Huai Meg, Amphoe Sahassakhan, Amphoe Somdet, Amphoe Kuchinarai, Amphoe Kham Muong, Amphoe Nong Kungsi, Amphoe Namon, Amphoe Huai Phung, Amphoe Rong Kham King Amphoe No Koo, King Amphoe Sam Chai, King Amphoe Don Chan and King Amphoe Kong Chai, occupying an are of 7,055.07 square kilometers. The characteristics of the area are mountainous along the Phuphan Range in the upper part while the middle part is hilly area with the alteration of deciduous forest. Kalasin

Borders
» North   : Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom Province.
» South : Roi-Et and Maha Sarakham Province.
» East    : Roi-Et and Mukdahan Province.
» West   : Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani Province.

: Distance from :
Kalasin city of nearby Provinces
- Khonkaen	76 kms.	- Roi-Et	45 kms.
- Maha Sarakham	45 kms.	- Sakhon Nakhon	128 kms.
- Nakhon Phanom	220 kms.	- Udon Thani	193 kms.
Kalasin city to its districts
- Huai Mag	48 kms.	- Sahassakhan	22 kms.
- Huai Phung	59 kms.	- Somdet	42 kms.
- Kamalasai	13 kms.	- Tha Khantho	109 kms.
- Kham Muong	85 kms.	- Yang Talat	16 kms.
- Khao Wong	98 kms.	- Nakoo Subdistrict	88 kms.
- Kuchinarai	80 kms.	- Sam Chai Subdistrict	85 kms.
- Namon	42 kms.	- Don Chan Subdistrict	32 kms.
- Nong Kungsri	62 kms.	- Kong Chai Subdistrict	26 kms.
- Rong Kham	38 kms.

History

Kalasin is a rich and fertile province of northeast Thailand. From archeological evidence, it used to be the residence of Lawa tribal people having prosperous civilization which can be dated back to 1,600 years. But from historical evidence, it was founded as a town in the beginning of Bangkok era around the year 1793 by Thao Somphamit who migrated with his people from the territory on the left bank of the Maekong River and settled down at Ban Keang Samrong near the bank of Nam Pao River. After setting down he arranged to deliver offerings to be offered to King Rama I, Phra Phuttha Yodfa Chulalok Maharat asking him to accept his town to be a subject of Bangkok. Later, by the royal command of King Rama l, Phra Phuttha Yodfa Chulalok Maharat, Ban Kaeng Samrong was upgraded to be a town having the name as Muang Kalasin due to its location being near the Nam Dam River which laterally means black water and at the same time Thao Somphamit was appointed Phraya Chaiyasunthon as the first ruler of Muang Kalasin.

How to get there

lt is 519 kilometers from Bangkok to Kalasin where one can travel through Bangkok - Saraburi - Nakhon Ratchasima (Highway No.2)-Maha Sarakham-Kalasin (Highway No. 209).

By Bus
The Transport Company Limited (Bo Kho So) daily operates bus services having ordinary bus leaving the terminal every 40 minutes from08.30 hours to 00.15 hours charging the fare of 221baht with 8 - 9 hours traveling-duration. Air - conditioned bus leaves the terminal at 23.30 hours, the fare is 340 Baht with an approximate duration of 7 hours.
Detailed information can be aired by Tel. (02) 9370261-5 (ordinary bus) and Ext.170 (conditioned bus).

By Rail
One has to travel from Bangkok to Khon Kaen Railway Station, then, continue the journey by bus for another 76 kilometers to Kalasin. The Royal State Railway of Thailand provides rail services by daily operating rapid train leaving Bangkok at 06.05 hours and 19.00 hours while express train leaves at 20.30 hours and the air - conditioned rail car leaves at 08.20 hours and at 20.40 hours.
Further detailed information can be obtained from Travel Service Section of the Royal State Railway of Thailand, Tel. 223-7010. and 223-7020.

By Air
One can use Bangkok : Khon Kaen Flight, daily operated by the Thai Airways International, totaling four flights a day at 06.55, 11.30, 15.0hours and at 17.50 hours with the fare of baht 1,060. And the last leg of the journey has to be made by bus from Khon Kaen Province to Kalasin Province. Detailed information can be obtained from Tel.280-0070 and 280-0080.

Festivals & event

Dok Khoon Siang Khaen Flower Festival
April Bueng Kaen Nakhon, Khon Kaen
This festival coincides with Songkran (the traditional Thai New Year) and is staged at Bung Kaen Nakhon. Featuring colorful floral processions, major festival activities include religious rites and merit-making and I-San folk music. Dancing and entertainment.

Silk Festival
November -December Khon Kaen City Hall, Khon Kaen
Staged annually in front of Government Houses, this promotes silk weaving and silk worm culture. Pook Sieo, an I-San tradition promoting close friendship between people of similar ages, is also celebrated during this occasion.