Isan hotels and travel guide, Thailand. Hotel reservation for Khon Kaen and all north-easter regions of Thailand.

Located in Cambodia, right by Amphoe Kantharalak, some 35 kilometres from Amphoe Kantharalak, the cliff-top Khmer sanctuary once belonged to Thailand. It was enlisted as an antique architecture by the Fine Arts Department and with announcement in the Royal Gazette on October 11, 1940. After the World Court ruling on July 15, 1962, the sanctuary belongs to Cambodia until now. For more information about visiting Phear Vihear Sanctuary, call Amphoe Kantharalak at 0 4566 1422 or Ranger Unit 23 at 0 4566 1443.

Visitor to Preah Vihear Sanctuary needs to pay 200 baht each to get through Khao Phra Wihan National Park, 5 baht for border crossing (pay to Amphoe Kantharalak) and 200 baht entry fee (pay to Cambodian Government). Visiting the sanctuary requires at least an hour. On ubon Road is and old structure belonging to Khun Amphai Phanich (Indr Naksiharat), built in 2468 B.E. (1925) by Chinese and Mon craftsmen. The artistic configuration and beautiful plaster patterns, based on Chinese traditions, has been carefully preserved and restores, which has earned it the top award in the Urban Architectural Preservation category in 2530 B.E. (1987). It has also been listed as an antiquity by the Fine Arts Department. Situated in Wat Sa Kamphaeng Noi, Ban Klang, Tambon Khayung, The Khmer Ruins comprises laterite stupa and chapel with a big pond at front, all are in the embrace of laterite wall. Once it had a stone carved lintel depicting ‘the Varun God’, the god of rain, sitting on the throne above three swans. The carving was placed over Kiattimukha. The Khmer Ruins in Bapuan is dated back to the 11th Century. At the first place, it was used for religious purpose. In the 13th Century, under the reign on King Chaya Varaman VII, Bayon Architectural style was added. During such time, the ruins was called ‘Arokaya Sala’ to be served as community hospital.

How to get there: The Khmer Ruins is 8 kilometres from Si Sa Ket City, on the right of highway 226 (Si Sa Ket-Uthumphon Phisai). The main stupa at the middle is a bit bigger than other two, but its roof, in rectangular shape, is shorter. It has only gate at the east with sandstone frame decorated with unfinished carved lintel depicting a man standing above the kiattimukha with flower frame. Located in Moo 6 Ban Prasat, Tambon Kanthararom, Ta Leng Khmer Ruins features a single stupa standing on the base. The stupa has rectangular base facing east. Presently, only the front wall and some side walls remain. The front door is the real door while the other three are fault doors. Pillars by the front door are delicately carved. The ruins was built in 11th-12th Century. Located in Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Ban Kamphaeng Yai, Tambon Sa Kamphaeng Yai, it is the biggest and most perfect Khmer Ruins in the province. The Khmer Ruins comprises three stupas on the same base lining in North-South direction and facing east. The main stupa, at the middle, made from sandstone and bricks in some part, houses carved lintel depicting God Indra on the back of Erawan Heavenly Elephant above the Kiattimukha. Other two stupas are made of brick with sandstone decorations such as lintel, gable frame and door frame. Behind the southern stupa is another brick stupa. Before all are two brick vihara surrounded with walls made from laterite and sandstone and 4 Gopuras (doors) at all directions.

How to get there: The Khmer Ruins is 26 kilometres from Si Sa Ket City and 2 kilometres from Amphoe Uthumphon Phisai, via highway 226. Located in Prasat Phanaram Temple, Prasat Ban Prasat is a Khmer ancient site built in 17th Buddhist century and restored in the end of Ayutthaya period and at the beginning of Rattanakosin period. The addition was done with the influence of Lan Xang. The compound is comprised of 3 prangs standing on the same base built with laterite. The wall of the compound was built with laterite as well. Presumably, there were at all 4 directions but at present, there are only the one in the south. It is believed the compound was built on the purpose of keeping the relics of the governor of the city.

Opening Hours: Daily from 08.30 am. – 04.30 pm.
Admission: Free
How to get there: Take Highway No.226 from Si Sa Ket town centre, continue for 39 km to Amphoe Huay Thap Than and continue for another 8 km. Prasat Prang Ku is 10 kilometres from the district office. Prang Ku is a small Khmer site built of large laterite slabs. It is over a thousand years old. The front part has a large pool that is the habitat of waterfowls in the dry season. Prasat Ban Samo is 10 kilometres southeast of Prang Ku. A laterite wall surrounds this small Khmer site. The square pagoda has a lintel above a fake doorway facing the south. An ancient pool lies beyond the wall. components which are:

Pagoda : The pagoda is built of laetrile and is square in shape.  It has fake doorways in 3 directions; the one facing south has a lintel over it. There is also a print attached to the pagoda.
Chapel :  This is another laetrile structure and is located at the southeastern part of the wall. A doorway faces west.
Wall     :  Built of laetrile, it  has a doorway in the shape of an "X" Located at Ban Tamnak Sai, Tambon Bak Dong, Tamnak Sai Khmer Ruins has a single stupa on sandstone base. The brick stupa has rectangular shape and one real door at the east while the other three are fault doors with carved door frame on the brick. Two carved guardian lions are watching the gate. The front door has frame made of sandstone. The door once was decorated with carved lintel depicting the God Narai lying on naga, with Laksami sitting at his feet, and Brahma rising from his navel. Both side of Brahma are hermit and a person in the frame. Now such lintel is kept in Phimai National Museum. Don Tuan sanctuary, at Tambon Bung Malu, Kantralak district, is about 38 kms. from the district town on the Kantralak Pha Moh E-Daeng route. It is a small ancient Khom temple sited on the cliff top on the Thai-Cambodian border. Located in the heart of Si Sa Ket City, the Buddhist temple’s vihara houses ‘Luang Pho To’ the sacred icon of Si Sa Ket. The gigantic Buddha image in attitude of subduing Mara is 6.85 metres high and 3.50 metres wide. Built during Khmer era over a thousand years ago, the statue was originally carved from stone and decorated later at unknown time. Located within the Sukhaphiban area of Khun Han district, some 61 kms. from the provincial seat, is Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew (Wat Lan Khuad). Religious edifices and other structures here are decorated with glass bottles of different colors and shapes numbering in the millions, producing fascinating designs and patterns. The local people commonly refer to it as Wat Lan Khuad, or Temple of the Million Bottles. This temple is 8 kilometres away on the Si Sa Ket-Yang Chum Noi road. The site has a traditional design. The area is used for religious ceremonies and as a museum to display the life of Isan tribes such as Lao, Khmer, Suai, and Yoe. Located in the municipality region, the Buddhist temple is remarkable with architectures made from million of colourful glass bottles donated by the people. All the architecture is beautiful, particularly the pavilion called ‘Sala Thansamo Maha Chedi Kaeo’ Ubosoth located mid of the pond. The ubosoth houses a very beautiful white jade Buddha image. Some 5 kilometres from Amphoe Kantharalak, on the right of highway 226 (Kantharalak-Pha Mo I-Daeng) there is a 20-kilometres (16 kilometres on asphalt road) cutting through villages such as Ban Thung Yai, Ban Thung Sawang, Ban Rong Ta Chun, Ban Cham Muang, and Ban Nong Kao. These villages are significant fruit producers of Si Sa Ket. Their major products include rambutan, durian, lanson, mangosteen, parkia (stink bean) and rubber.

Every June, fruit offspring from these orchards will be available, making it a very nice period to visit, tasting and buying the fruit directly from the plantation. The interesting orchards include rambutan plantation of Ban Cham Muang, durian plantation of Ban Sam Khi Lek, parkia and year-round mango at Ban Nong Kao. The chemical-free and Buddhism-devout community acquires over 100 rais area in Tambon Krachaeng. Sisa Asoka is community model in self sufficiency, turning it back to capitalism and prefers Buddhism-devout lifestyle. Its remarkable success attracts organizations from nationwide to study its story, and tourists to shop for chemical-free fruit, vegetable, and herbs from the village’s outlet. This is a large public park inside an agricultural college 2 kilometres from the provincial hall. At the park one can see flowering shrubs called Lamduan that are the official plants of the province. Lamduan is a Thai flower that is at its most enchanting when it blooms from March to April as its sweet fragrance covers the whole area. Located 20 kilometres from the district office, this medium-sized waterfall originates from a stream in the Banthat mountain range. Above the fall is a rock plateau. It is at its most beautiful in the rainy season. A beautiful waterfall of Amphoe Khun Han, Prom Wihan Waterfall has an extremely  pleasant environment with an assortment of trees and flowers, a perfect place for relaxation. The waterfall has water all year round. A high cliff, Phrom Wihan Cliff, near the fall gives tourists panoramic views of the surrounding area. The waterfall is easily accessible. Tourists can take a road passing Huai Chan Waterfall and continue for 10 km. before reaching it. The pond is at Ban Sawai, Tambon Phrai Bung, Amphoe Phrai Bung. Take Highway No. 221 for 20 km., then turn right onto Highway No. 2111 for another 20 km. This is 24 kilometres from the district office on the Kanthrom-Ban Samrong Kiat road. The fall drops down several rock levels and has water the year round. The park’s territory lines Thailand-Cambodia border, over high cliff and lush forest of Dongrek Range. Khao Phra Wihan National Park acquires 130 square kilometres area of Amphoe Kantharalak of Si Sa Ket, Sub Amhoe Nam Khun and Amphoe Nam Yuen of Ubon Ratchathani. The country’s 83rd National Park was established on March 20, 1998.

The park features dry evergreen forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest. It is home to numerous wildlife which roams between two countries such as wild hog, deer, barking deer, rabbit, squirrel, gibbon, civet. One of the best bird’s eye view point of Northeast, the red-colour rock cliff is situated right on Thailand-Cambodia border. It offers panoramic view of vast Cambodian forest and Preah Vihear Sanctuary. This is a medium-sized waterfall at its loveliest in the rainy season. It is on the Ban Phumisaron-Ban Samrong Kiat road. A 2.5-kilometre road on the left then leads to the waterfall. One can find interesting flora along the way which makes for fine nature study. This is on a steep cliff in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range near the Thai-Cambodian border, 8 kilometres from Ban Phumisaron or 38 kilometres from the district office. This small Khmer site has a square pagoda built of brick, a doorway of stone and a lion guarding the entrance. This zoo is in Rama IX Chaloem Phra Kiat Forest Park in Non Nong Kwang, 4 kilometres from the provincial hall. It is a good place to relax and to see wild animals in the zoo.

---

Thailand & more | Bangkok | all provinces | Isan (North-east) | Si Sa Ket

(c) 1996-2010 Web Sawadee Plc. - reproduction without permission prohibited.