Maha Sarakham
Maha Sarakham General Information
Situated in the heart of Northeastern Thailand, the small province of Maha Sarakham is considered to be a regional education centre, earning the name "Taksila of Isan" (Taksila was a city where education of all branches centered around in ancient India). The province also houses a sacred Buddha image and has many historical sites, with the province being the former site of the ancient Dvaravati city of Nakhon Champa Si. Maha Sarakham's beautiful hand woven silk and cotton fabrics are sought after for their original patterns.
Maha Sarakham is 470 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of approximately 5,291 square kilometres. The province is divided into the following districts: Muang, Kantharawichai, Kosum Phisai, Wapi Pathum, Borabue, Phayakkhaphum Phisai, Na Chueak, Chiang Yuen, Na Dun, Kae Dam,Yang Si Surat, Kut Rang and Chuen Chom.
Maha Sarakham Festival Information
- Boat Race, Loi Kratong, and Candle Boat Festival
Held annually to mark the end of Buddhists Lent at Bung Bon, close to Kosum Phi Botanical Park, the festival feature boat race, Loi Kratong, and candle boat. Kratong float and cheer leader contest will be held.
- Bun Boek Fa and Red Cross Fair
Bun Boek Fa and Red Cross Fair is held at the start of the harvesting season in February. The event is held at the provincial hall to revive and preserve Isan's cultural heritage. It features the Bun Boek Fa procession, which is a story about Mae Posop (The goddess of rice), beautiful decorated Bai Si Su Khwan pedestals, folk plays, local music, and many rituals.
- Candle Festival
The festival is held at Amphoe Kosum Phisai to mark the Buddhists Lent. The festival features float and candle contest.
- Monkey Feeding Festival
Held every April 2 at Kosamphi ForestPark, Amphoe Kosumpisai, it is festival that people can feed monkey in Kosumpi Botanical Park. Fund for monkeys food will be raised.
- On Son Klong Yao Festival
The annual festival is held during March 12-16 at the field by Amphoe Wapi Pathum Office. The fair features long drum contest, float of long drum, Isan traditional performances, eauty contest, performances and shopping.
- Phra That Na Dun Festival
The Celebration is held annually on the full moon of February in Maka Bucha Day at Buddhist Park of Isan. The week long celebration will features Buddhism-related activities such as giving alms to the monks, vipassana practice, dhamma lecture, and the glory performance Champasi-Natakan.
- Rocket Festival
Held every May and April at the field by Amphoe Na Chuak Office, the festival organizes rocket contest and float. At night Buddhist ceremony and performances will be available.
Maha Sarakham Attactions Information
- Phra Yuen Mongkhon and Phra Ming Muang
Phra Yuen Mongkhon and Phra Ming Muang Buddha images are the most important Buddha images of the province. They are at Tambon Khan Than Rat on Highway No. 213, about 14 kilometres from town. The images are in the Dvaravati style and are made of red sandstone. It is believed that they can make rainfall in the rainy season. Legend says a man built the Ming Muang image, while a woman built the Yun Mongkhon image.
- Bueng Bon
The lake packed with elephants ear plants is a nice place to picnic for people in Kosum Phisai and nearby . Situated in Tambon Hua Khwang, 100 metres from Kosamphi Forest Park, the lake is 2.50 metres deep and acquires total area of 120 rais (48 acres). How to get there. Use the same way with Kosamphi Botanical Park.
- Hat Wangko
The 500-metre-long beach on the bank of Chi River is situated in Ban Tha Duea, Tambon Nong Bon. Tourist can get there via Kosum Phisai-Tha Phra-Khon Kaen Road. With clear and shallow water, the beach is a good place for relaxing. Facilities available on the beach include, beach beds, speed boat, banana boat, jet ski, donut ski, life vest and etc.
- Kosamphi Forest Park
Acquiring total area of 125 rais (50 acres) in Tambon Hua Khwang, by Chi River, the park was established on October 1, 1976. The shady park is home to different big trees such as Yang, Tabaek (Lagerstroemia floribunda Jack) and Kathum (Anthocephalus chinensis (Lamk.) A. Rich.ex Walp.) whose canopies connect to each other. With natural pond and scenery, this park is home to different kinds of bird, big herd of crab-eating macaque, as well as rare golden crab-eating macaque.Attractions in the park include.
Kaeng Tat. Rapids in Chi River is situated at north and east of the park. Base rock acquires wide area in the river. When the river descends between November and May, shallow water allows rapids to appear. It has beautiful setting around the area.
Lan Khoi. The terrain is occupied by toothbrush trees. Today, over 200 of them are bended into different shapes.
Crab-eating macaque. The animals make this park their home. There are two kinds of crab-eating macaques in the park, the grey and golden macaque.
- Chi Long Forest Park
Chi Long Forest Park is at Ban Wang Wa, 10 kilometres from town on the way to Kosum Phisai. The park is on an island that was formed by a course divergence of the Mun River, a main waterway of the Northeast. The island is covered with shady rubber trees and a road circling it makes sightseeing most enjoyable.
- Kaeng Loengchan
The big reservoir is situated back of Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University , some 3 kilometres from Maha Sarakham city. Around the area is fishery station which breeds and distributes different kinds of fresh water fish to provinces in the region. Beautiful scenery around the reservoir attracts a number of people to enjoy holiday here.
- Ku Mahathat
The Khmer ruins is located in Ban Khwao. Built in the 13th Century to serve as a hospital during the reign of King Chaivoraman VII, the laterite ruins was created in Bayon style in rectangular shape. With 8 metres high and 4 metres wide, the ruins houses two gods made from terra cotta, sitting legs crossed with conchs in hands. The ruin is situated in the embrace of laterite wall and it can be accessed via eastern gopura (gate) only. There is a small building located southeast of the wall. The eastern gate is the only real gate while other three are fake doors. Door frames and lintels made of sandstone. The site is already excavated and renovated by the Department of Fine Art.
- Dun Lamphan No-hunting Area
Situated in Amphoe Na Chueak, 60 kilometres from Maha Sarakham City, the area features two forest types namely deciduous dipterocarp forest and peat swamp forest which is nourished by stream all the time in particular spots. The area is rich in endemic and rare species for both flora and fauna. The most famous endemic species found here is Mealy Crab Thaipotamon chulabhon Naiyanetr, 1993, or Pu Thunkramom (named by HRH Princess Chulabhorn). A bit bigger than ricefield crab, this kind of crab is quite colourful in purple, orange, yellow, and white. Now, this endemic crab is enlisted as protected animals. This No-hunting area is also good for bird watching and studying the ecological system.
- Phra That Na Dun
Phra That Na Dun, or the Buddha Monthon of Isan, is the area where historical and archaeological findings that proved the magnificence of the ancient city of Champa Si were made. Artefacts found here are now on display at the Khon Kaen National Museum. The most important piece is the stupa (pagoda) encasing the holy relics of Lord Buddha in gold, silver and bronze caskets. The site was from the Dvaravati period of the 8th-10th century. This model for Phra That Na Dun comes alive every Makha Bucha Day.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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