Nong Khai
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Nong Khai General Information
Nong Khai is a long thin province running along the Mekong River, providing the main access to Laos. Originally people went by boat from Tha Sadet, but the building of the Friendship Bridge across the Mekong has made Nong Khai a major centre for transport and trade with Laos.
Attractions include Wat Pho Chai, renowned for its large seated Buddha believed to have been cast in Lan Chang, and Phra That Nong Khai, an old chedi that slipped into the river and can now only be seen completely in the dry season.
Sala Kaeo Ku is a bizarre sculpture garden packed with statres of Shiva, Vishnu and Buddha as well as many other figures from Hindu and Thai culture. Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary near the Mekong River contains a number of beautiful waterfalls.
Nong Khai is 615 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 7,739 square kilometres. It consists of the following districts: Mueang Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Phon Phisai, Tha Bo, Sangkhom, Seka, So Phisai, Si Chiang Mai, Phon Charoen, Pak Khat, Bueng Khong Long, Si Wilai, Bung Khla, Sa Khrai, Rattana Wapi, Fao Rai and Pho Tak.
Nong Khai Festival Information
- Bang Fai Phaya Nak
This extraordinary miracle always occurs at the beginning of the full moon night in the eleventh lunar month (End of Buddhist Lent). It can be seen along the Mekong River in the districts of Mueang, Phon Phisai, Pak Khat, Bung Kan, Tha Bo, Si Chiang Mai and Sangkhom. Bang Fai Phaya Nak is a term used for red and pinkish fire balls, which according to belief, belong to Phaya Nak or the great serpent of the underwater world. On the day marking the End of Buddhist Lent, a great number of people come to witness this phenomenon.
- Bun Bang Fai Fair
Being held in the sixth lunar month (May) every year. There is a rocket contest to worship Phaya Thaen or god of the rain. It is a way the local people do to ask for rain. A temple fair will be organised in the grounds of Wat Pho Chai. Rocket shooting will be done on the field around 10 km. from Wat Pho Chai.
- Prap Ho Monument Fair
Being held at the Prap Ho Monument around the month of March every year. Activities in the fair include shows, games, and booths of goods at reasonable prices.
- Tak Bat Thewo and Thai - Lao Friendship Boat Race
Being held during the end of the Buddhist Lent festival every year. People come to offer alms to Buddhist monks in the morning. Long boat competitions, which the Thai and Lao sides will take turn to host, will be held on the Mekong River during the day.
Nong Khai Attactions Information
- Phu Wua Wildlife Reserve
Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Ban Don Chik; 3 km from Bung Khla district and take a right turn for a further trip of around 6 km. It has an area of around 186 sq. km. or 116,562 rai, covering some part of Bueng Kan, Bung Khla, Seka and Bueng Khong Long districts, and nearly bordering Laos. This sanctuary is around 150-300 m above sea level. Types of forest here are mostly Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest, Dry Evergreen Forest and Moist Evergreen Forest. Some parts of the area are sandstone mountain ridges, rocky grounds and grass fields.
Places of Interest
Namtok Tham Fun is located in Ban Phu Sawat, Tambon Nong Doen. Drive on Highway 212, and 7 km. before reaching Bung Khla district, turn right to go on for around 4 km. The waterfall is encompassed by a timber forest with a scenic view of the northern Phu Wua. A walking trail passes a rocky ground to the cascade which is seen along the long narrow channel on the sandstone cliff. There is water only in the rainy season.
Namtok Chet Si is located in Ban Don Siat, Tambon Ban Tong, Amphoe Seka. This very beautiful waterfall, especially during the rainy season, originates from a stream of Huai Ka-am and flows along a high sandstone cliff to spread over a long line. The falling water that hits the rocks below causes a spray of water which gives rainbow colours when seen in sunlight. So came the name Namtok Chet Si, which means a waterfall of seven colours.
Namtok Phu Tham Phra is located in Ban Tham Phra, Tambon Sok Kam, Amphoe Seka. It is around 34 km. from Seka district. Like other waterfalls at Phu Wua, it has water only in the rainy season. A monastic residence or Samnak Song here is tranquil and shady. Walking down to the rocky ground at the back, visitors will find a valley with a deep bottom of around 200 sq. m. where a waterfall flows down the valley. The waterfall is on a cliff of around 100 m wide and 50 m high. Visitors can play in the pool.
Namtok Chanaen is located in Ban Phu Ngoen, Amphoe Seka. Originally, it was called Namtok Tat Sanaen. Tat literally means a place where water flows. Sanaen refers to summit or excellence. This waterfall has its origin from Lam Huai Sanaen. It is 100 m wide and has two tiers with an interval of 300 m. This is a large and beautiful waterfall which has water only in the rainy season. The path to the waterfall passes Khua Hin or a natural stone bridge of around 100 m long, where a phenomenon of water disappearing under the bridge can be witnessed. A walk up to the second tier passes along a stream dotted with boulders. Following the stream on its left bank, visitors will find a broad ground by a large pool. There is another small waterfall called Namtok Bueng Chorakhe, rushing down to the pool.
- Phrathat Bang Phuan
Phrathat Bang Phuan is at Ban Don Mu, 11 kilometres from town on the Nong Khai-Udon Thani road, then a road on the right onto Highway No. 211 to Tha Bo for 10 kilometres. This old pagoda is 34 metres high and houses the holy relics of Lord Buddha. It underwent major renovation in 1976 because the original fired brick pagoda collapsed. The temple still has the old pagoda, temple boundary markers and an ancient stone inscription. Furthermore, there is an ancient pool from which water was once used in blessing past city lords.
- Phrathat Nong Khai
Phrathat Nong Khai collapsed into the Mekong in 1847. Over the years the pagoda drifted to the centre of the river where it is seen today.
- Tha Sadet
Tha Sadet is the port for local people crossing the Mekong River to Tha Duea in Laos. There is a market for Indo-Chinese and eastern European products, as well as the provinces local goods.
- Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is the first international bridge spanning the Mekong. The bridge was built jointly by the governments of Australia, Thailand and Laos. It was opened in April 8, 1994.
- Wat Pho Chai
A royal temple, located on Pho Chai Road in the Mueang Nong Khai Municipality. Luangpho Phra Sai, a sacred Buddha image of the town which is respected by the people of Nong Khai, is housed here. This Buddha image sitting cross-legged, which was cast from bright yellow gold in the posture of subduing Mara, has graceful features. According to legend, three daughters of the King of Lan Chang had three Buddha images cast and named each to associate with their names: Phra Soem, Phra Suk, and Phra Sai to the eldest, middle, and youngest siblings, respectively. Originally, the three images were housed in Vientiane. In the reign of King Rama III, they were invited to Nong Khai by boat. On the way to Nong Khai, Phra Suk was drowned by a storm. Phra Soem and Phra Sai were invited to house in Nong Khai. Later on, in the reign of King Rama IV, Phra Soem was taken to Bangkok. Phra Sai is still housed at Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai. Every year on the full moon day in the seventh lunar month, the people of Nong Khai always hold a rocket merit-making fair or Bun Bang Fai to worship Phra Sai at Wat Pho Chai.
- Wat Hin Mak Peng
Located at Ban Thai Charoen, Tambon Phra Phutthabat. The temple compound is spacious, clean and shady with various species of plants amidst tranquility. Its area on one side borders the Mekong River where a scenic view can be seen. Originally, this place was a Dharma practice place of Luangpu Thet Thetrangsi, a famous meditation master of Isan, who initiated it as a Dharma practice centre for Buddhist monks, nuns and pilgrims. After his death, a Chedi was built to enshrine his remains. Inside the temple, there is a statue of Luangpu Thet on display with the eight requisites (the three robes, the bowl, a razor, a needle, the girdle and a water-strainer) and his biography.
- Luang Pho Phra Chao Ong Tue
Housed in Wat Si Chomphu Ong Tue, Ban Nam Mong. This large Buddha image was cast from bronze by the royal artisans of the northern city and Lan Chang. Having graceful features, the 4 metre-high image is sitting cross-legged in the attitude of subduing Mara with a lap width of 3.29 m. It is a holy image which has gained much respect from the peoples on both of the banks of the Mekong River. According to a stone inscription, this image was built in 1562 by the royal command of Phra Chaiyachettha, King of Nakhon Wiang. The metals used included gold, brass, and silver, weighing a total of one Tue (an ancient scale of Isan) and it took seven years and seven months to finish the cast. The province has a fair to pay homage to Luangpho Phrachao Ong Tue every year on the full moon day in the fourth lunar month.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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