Amnat Charoen
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Amnat Charoen General Information
Phra Mongkhon, Seven River basils, Sacred caves, Phra Lao, Beautiful islands and mountain, precious silk and religious people.
Amnat Charoen is part of lower Northeast region. The province acquires total area of 3,161 square kilometres. Its eastern boundary, at Amphoe Chanuman, is next to Mekong River. The community was firstly established during the reign of King Rama III of Rattanakosin some two centuries ago. Amnat Charoen has been part of Ubon Ratchathani until it was upgraded into province on December 1, 1993. Although it is a small and tranquil town, Amnat Charoen has various attractions distributing in different Amphoe. Visitors to Amnat Charoen can stroll around to witness sacred Buddha images, picturesque rice paddies and fruit orchards, rocky rapids of Mekong River in dry season , and excellent handicrafts particularly silk.
Amnat Charoen comprises 7 Amphoes namely Mueang , Hua Taphan, Phana, Senangkhanikhom, Chanuman, Pathum Ratchawongsa, and Lue Amnat.
Amnat Charoen Festival Information
Amnat Charoen attach their lifestyle to local tradition and festivals that are held throughout year such as festival to mark the end of Buddhists Lent, Rocket festival, Loi Krathong, and Songkran for example. Moreover, they practice 14 moral regulations such as cleaning feet before getting inside the house, donating food to the monk, avoiding to step of monks shadow, paying respect to the parent, paying homage to the Buddha image with flower, candle and joss stick, and learning Dhamma everyday and etc. Amnat Charoen is well known for its silk products. The famous silk production bases include Ban Chan Lan and Ban Soi of Amphoe Phana, Ban Pueai, Ban Hua Dong, and Ban Nam Thuam of Amphoe Lue Amnat.
Most people in Amphoe Chanuman are descendant of Phu Thai ethnic group that migrated from Lao. They specialise in weaving Khit cloth which has unique patterns. Their traditional musical performance Mo Lam always support the democratic constitutional monarchy. Amnat Charoen people is trying to retain Long Khuang tradition. The traditional once was meeting time between teenagers to do activities together such as weaving or silk spinning, among lively traditional music.
- Boat Racing
This festival is held around November in front of the Chanuman district office nearby the Maekhong River. The festival draws decorative boats from neighbouring provinces and Lao P.D.R. The fair goer can enjoy the race at day and shopping and entertainment at night.
- Long Kuang
This tradition is a gathering of unmarried male and female villagers. Females weave along with musical tunes conducted by male villagers.
Amnat Charoen Attactions Information
- Rapids in Maekhong River
Chanuman is a peaceful district about 80 kilometres from the provincial town where the land run along side the Maekhong River for a distance of 38 kilometres, affording a wonderful view of the natural scenery of both side of the river. Rapids emerge during the dry season (February-May).
- Ban Chang Tho Royal Folk Arts and Craft Training Centre
Located 5 kilometres from Amphoe Hua Taphan, the centre offers training course on various local crafts such as weaving and gems cutting. The centre here produces world-class gems cutting technician. Tourist can enjoy witness the production process and wide selections of products.
- Pho Sila Temple (Wat Pho Sila)
This is a temple at Lue Amnart district. It houses the Dvaravati sand-stone battlements with carving of flowers and leaves with bloom lotus at their bases.
- Mo Lam Village
The cultural attraction of Amnat Charoen is situated at Tambon Pla Khao, 20 kilometres from Amnat Charoen City. Mo Lam is famous traditional performance of Northeast Thailand. Performance features dancing and playing traditional music. Ban Pla Khao Village found by Phu Thai ethnic group some 200 years ago. Here is the biggest Mo Lam village of Thailand, with 20 bans of Mo Lam living in the village. Besides conserving the traditional performance, some bans have developed into contemporary style. They perform countrywide and earn lots of money. Mo Lam performance of Ban Pla Khao is awarded Amnat Charoens OTOP (One Tambon One Product).
- Phra Mongkhon Ming Muang
This Buddha image is housed in Dan Phra Bat Temple. The temple is situated 3 kilometres from town on the left-hand side of Highway 212. This Buddhist sanctuary built amidst the green trees of Phra Mongkon Ming Muang, designed in the attitude of Subduing Mara and decorated with golden mosaic tiles. The 20 metre-tall Buddha image was moulded in Northern Indian style in 1965. It is the most sacred Buddha image for Amnart Charoens people.
The temple also keeps a respected Buddha image called Pa La Hai, coincidentally discovered in the pond in 1962 when the temple was under renovation. This Buddha image is believed to bring good fortune to worshippers.
- Tham Saeng Phet Temple (Wat Tham Saeng Phet)
The temple is located on Amnat Charoen-Khemarat Road, 18 kilometres from the city, and 2 kilometres off the main road uphill. Located on spacious sandstone plain, the temple has vihara, pagoda, and huge reclining Buddha. North of the vihara is a big cave housing a beautiful Buddha image. Tourist can walk around to enjoy rock formation of Sala Phun Hong. This cave is named Saeng Phet or diamonds glitters due to its flashing glitter rock. Wat Tham Saeng Phet is meditation centre of those who honour Achan Cha Suphatto, famous monk from Wat Nong Pa Phong. Foreign monks always come for practicing mediation here.
- Phra Lao Thep Nimit Temple (Wat Phra Lao Thep Nimit)
Situated on highway 2134, 2 kms from Amphoe Phana, the temple has Lanna-style chapel which houses the principle Buddha image Phra Lao Thep Nimit. Built in 1720, the Buddha image, in subduing Mara attitude decorated by gold leaves, is considered the most beautiful Buddha image of Northeast Region. The art style mirrors Laotian art style from Vientiane which is influenced by Lanna during the 16th-17th Century. The Buddha image was probably built a bit after such period, assumed from appearance of local art style such as face pattern, higher flame over the head, lap and feet which are similar to art style found in wooden and bronze Buddha statue from the 18th -19th Century.
- Phu Sa Dok Bua
Situated in Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park, the 423 metres high mountain borders three provinces namely Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan, and Yasothon. The parks headquarter is located in Amphoe Don Tan of Mukdahan. On the mountain top, there are 11 stone pools, which is a few metres wide. It is quite strange that all of them are occupied by different species of colourful lotus, which is found normally in swamp. Locals insist that nobody plant the lotus, but all come naturally. So, they name these pools Phu Sa Dok Bua or literally the mountain of lotus pool. Nearby is a huge cave which can accommodate hundred of people. It once served as stronghold of Communist Party of Thailand.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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