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 Monument
for the Suppression of the Haw Tribe
This monument in Changwat Nong Khai commemorates those persons who died
in the suppression of the Haw Tribal Rebellion in the year 1866. His
Royal Highness Krommaluang Prachak Silpakhom ordered this monument to be
built at Muang Nong Khai so that the ashes of the combat heroes in the
Haw Tribal Suppression Campaign could be buried inside. It is situated
behind the Nong Khai Provincial Police Station. Later, in 1949, Changwat
Nong Khai obtained a budget to renovate the monument to dignify the
honour of those who sacrificed their lives. The construction site of the
monument was then moved to the present location or the three-way
intersection for entering into Nong Khai township The inscriptions are
in four languages: Thai, Chinese, Laotian, and English, each side of the
pedestal having one language. The province celebrates by paying homage
during an annual fair held on March 9-15 of every year.
Luang
Pho Phra Chai
This bronze image of a seated Buddha is in the attitude of subduing
evil. It has very fine characteristics. The lap width is 28 inches while
the height from the base to the top of the finial is 41 inches. It is
enshrined at Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai municipal area. This sacred
Buddha image has been enshrined since the establishment of the province.
The history of this image relates to many parts of Thai history but it
is unclear when it was cast or who cast it. HRH Prince Damrong
Rachanuphap speculated on its origin in a book called 'Histories of
Important Buddha Statues' which was published and distributed in a royal
kathin ceremony in the year 1925.
Prince Damrong thought that Luang Pho Phra Sai was cast in Lan Chang
Kingdom. According to legend, three princess were the persons who caused
the casting. Another legend gives more derails, such as, King
Chaiyachetthathirat's princess daughters were named Serm, Suk, and Sai.
They had the unanimous idea to cast their own personal Buddha images.
They then asked their father for support, thus leading to the king's
command to cost three Buddha images having different sizes according to
their ages, the oldest having the largest image. They were named
accordingly, Phra Serm for the oldest and largest, Phra Suk for the
middle sister and second largest size, and Phra Sai for the youngest and
smallest image.
In the year 1776 King Tham Thewawong moved the three Buddha images to be
enshrined in Vientiane. They were moved back to Thai territory again
during the reign of King Rama III. However, a storm which caused the
sinking of Phra Suk at the mouth of Nom Ngum River (Wern Phra Suk) did
not affect the others. Phra Serm and Phra Sai were enshrined in Wat Pho
Chai and Wat Ho Klong respectively. In the reign of King Rama IV, Phra
Serm was moved to be enshrined in Bangkok while Phra Sai still remained
in Nong Khai at Wat Pho Chai. On every full moon day of the 7th lunar
month the people of Nong Khai celebrate Phro Soi by having
'Bun Bong Fai',
the rocket contest ceremony or Wat Pho Chai.
Traveling from Nong Khai township, one can go by Highway No.212
beginning at KM 2.
Phrathat
Bangphuan
Originally this was an ancient pagoda long revered by Nong Khai
people. The phrathat was first constructed from brick utilizing the
Indian stupa design. It is about the same age of Phra Pathom Chedi
(Thailand's first pagoda in Nakhon Pathom). According to Lon Chang
legend, King Chaiyachettha commanded the construction of the Phrathat to
cover the original pagoda in the year 1559. It fell down in the year
1970 due to the sinking of the foundation. Now it has been completely
renovated by the Fine Arts Department with the features of a
square-based pagoda. The lowest five steps of the base ore square prangs
adjacent to one another featuring the lotus shape. The sixth step of the
base features a dome shape while the seventh step features the star with
a tiered umbrella above the star. The "Supreme Patriarch has housed
relics of the Lord Buddha inside.
Phrathat Bangphuan is located at Wat Phrathat Bangphuan, Tambon Don Mu,
Amphoe Muang, Changwat Nong Khai. The distance from the township area is
22 kilometers. Go along Highway No.2 about 10 kilometers, then branch
off via Highway No.211 (Nong Khai-Tha Bo) for another 12 kilometers.
There is on homage-paying fair for Phrathat Bangphuan on the 11th waxing
day of the second lunar month every year.
Hot
Chom Mani
This riverine beach is located at Ban Chom Mani, Tambon Michoai,
about 2 kilometers from the municipal area. This beach is about 200
meters long and can be seen during the summer rime, especially in April
when a huge number of tourists from Non Khai and other provinces visit
the beach. |
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Luang
Pho Phraehao Ongtue
This is the largest principal Buddha image of the province. It was cast by
northern and Lan Chang artisans. This large Image is in the attitude of
subduing evil, having a lop width of 3.29 meters with a height of 4
meter's. It is housed in Wat Nam Mong, Nam Mong Village, Tambon Narn
Mong, Amphoe Tha Bo. It is considered very sacred.
There are no reliable records as to when it was cast, though if is
believed to have been cast in 1562. King Chaiyachettha, the ruler of
Vientiane (who was a son of Phraya Sinsuwan, and who was born in Muang
Wiang Khuk) commanded the casting for his queen, Queen Sichompho (a
villager of Ban Nam Mong-or Muang Choampa), The cast was not successful
until the god Indra and 108 divinities come to help. The total time
spent for the casting was 7 years and 7 months with the expense of
Baht400,000. There is an annual homage-paying fair on the full moon day
of the 4rh lunar month every year.
To pay homage to this Phrachao Ongtue, one can go from Nong Khai
township along Highway No.211 (Nong Khai-Si Chiang Mai) to Amphoe Tha Bo
where a left turn is to be made at KM 31 for another distance of 2.2
kilometers. The total distance from the province township area is about
43 kilometers. |
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Wat
Hin Mak Peng
 This monastery is located at Ban Phutthabat, Tambon Phra Phutthabat,
Amphoe Si Chiang Mai. Phra Achan Thet Thetrangsi established this place
to be utilized as a meditation practice center for monks, nuns, and the
general public. The surroundings of this monastery are clean and
peaceful, and it was appraised to be a 'Model of Developed Monastery' in
the year 1960. To reach this place, one can travel from the township
area along Highway No.211 (Nong Khai-Si Chiang Mai), then continue the
trip via Highway No.2186. One can see Wat Hin Mak Peng on the right side
near KM 63. The monastery is about 83 kilometers from Nong Khai and
about 20 kilometers from Amphoe Si Chiang Mai.
Wong
Nam Mog Waterfall
This waterfall is located at Ban Wang Nam Mog, Thambon Phra
Phutthabat, and is about 26 kilometers from the district township area,
and about 88 kilometers from the provincial capital township. The
waterfall cascades from a high cliff. There are several caves around the
cliff which are open for sightseeing. The road from Wat Hin Mak Peng to
Amphoe Sangkhom passes through much picturesque scenery. |
