Introduction

Sakon Nakhon is in the upper Northeast. It is on the Phu Phan mountain range and has many forest temple retreats for meditation. These temples are also where famous monks well known in meditation circles reside. Sakon Nakhon is 647 kilometers from Bangkok and has an area of 9,605 square kilometers.
Sakon Nakhon consists of the following districts: Muang Sakon Nakhon, Waritchaphum, Kutbak, Kusuman, Ban Muang, Phanna Nikhom, Sawang Daen Din, Wanon Niwat, Phang Khon, Akat Amnuai, Songdao, Kham Ta Kla, Tao-ngoi, Khok Si Suphan, Nikhom Namun, Charoen Sin, Phon Na Kaeo and Phu Phan.

Borders
  » North  : Nongkhai and Nakhon Phanom
  » South : Kalasin,Nakhon Phanom and Udon Thani
  » East   : Kalasin and Nakhon Phanom
  » West  : Nongkhai and Udon Thani
 

Sakon Nakhon is 512 kilometers from Bangkok. The best and most convenient route is to leave Bangkok along Saraburi Nakhon Ratchasima-Ban Phai-Maha Sarakham Highway to Sakon Nakhon totalling a journey duration of six hours. Travelling by plane one has to go to Khon Kaen Province first and continue the trip by land transport to Sakon Nakhon Province.

From the Northeastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok there are several ordinary and air-conditioned buses going to Sakon Nakhon. From Sakon Nakhon Province, the bus leaves
Sakon Nakhon Terminal at Thawa Phiban Road, Tel. (043) 511939, 512546.

Wax Castle & Boat Racing Festival
October
Wat Phra That Choeng Chum, Sakon Nakhon
To celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa), people in the northeast (I-san) mould beeswax into miniature Buddhist temples and shrines (wax castles) in order to gain merit, which will determine their future rebirth. These crafted models can be witnessed especially in Sakon Nakhon where there is an annual festival with a grand wax castle procession, competitive boat racing as well as traditional northeastern cultural performances among many other joyous activities.