Si Sa Ket
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Si Sa Ket General Information
Si Sa Ket is a quiet province on the Cambodia border with Khmer ruins scattered throughout the province.Most notable are the two ruined sanctuaries of Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai and Noi,dating back to the 10 th century.
However, the most famous Khmer site is actually in Cambodia. Khao Phra Wihan was built over 10 centuries ago and is one of the most spectacular Angkor-period sites. Built as a Hindu temple, it begins in Thailand and rises to 600 metres with the main sanctuary in Cambodia.
After a long period of war, its wonderful craftsmanship,stairways and courts are now being restored. Thi walk to the summit is long and steep, but visitors are sure to be impressed by the size and complexity of its design.
Si Sa Ket has an area of 8,840 square kilometres, comprising the following districts: Muang Si Sa Ket, Kanthararom, Kantharalak, Khun Han, Phrai Bung, Khukhan, Prang Ku, Uthumphon Phisai, Rasi Salai, Yang Chum Noi, Huai Thap Than, Non Khun, Si Rattana, Wang Hin, Bueng Bun, Nam Kliang, Phu Sing, Benchalak, Muang Chan, Pho Si Suwan and Sila Lat.
Si Sa Ket Festival Information
- Half and Quarter Marathon to Mo I-Daeng
Held annually on the third Sunday of December, the half and quarter marathon will start from Ban Phum Saron to Mo I-Daeng Cliff, on the way to Preah Vihear. This uphill and foggy route to the border is quite challenging route which can attracts lots of runner.
- Long Khuang and Mini Light & Sound at Sa Kamphaeng Yai Khmer Ruins
Held at Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai, the local activity welcomes group of tourists to visit community and join various activities for two hours at dusk. Tourist can see local people Long Khuang or landing hands for welcoming tourist in traditional way, performing local music and dances, visiting handicraft producing demonstration, and enjoying dinner in traditional style. Moreover there is light & sound performance featuring the legends of Sa Kamphaeng Yai Khmer Ruins
- Si Phao Thai Si Sa Ket Festival
This festival is held every March 15-17 at Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park when the Lamduan flowers in the park are in full bloom. Shows include cultural performances by 4 tribes, which are Khmer, Suai, Lao, and Yo. There are shops selling handicrafts and a light-and-sound show about the city's construction.
- Si Sa Kets Rambutan and Durian Fair
The fair is held every June at the field before Amphoe Kantharalak or Amphoe Khun Han. Fair goer can enjoy the big sales of fruits from Si Sa Ket such as rambutan, durian, lanson, mangosteen, parkia (stink bean) and rubber, flower floats, documentary exhibition, and fruit tasting caravan.
Si Sa Ket Attactions Information
- Ta Leng Khmer Ruins
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.
Many lintels are found scattering. The lintel at the northern gate depicts God Indra on Erawan Heavenly Elephant in the frame over kirtimukha. God Indra encarved in that lintel just took garland out of his mouth and holding it with both hands. Other lintels feature the same depiction except one depicting 7 hermits sitting in line during practicing meditation. From such architecture and art style, Taseng Khmer Ruins was built in Bapuan style during the year 1017- 1087.
- Fruit Orchard of Si Sa Ket
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.
- Khao Phra Wihan National Park
The parks 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 countrys 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.
Phra Wihan National Park features attractions and interesting activities including:
Mo I-Daeng Cliff. One of the best birds 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.
Bas relief. Situated south of Mo I-Daeng cliff, the bas relief carved on the red- sandstone cliff depicts three gods in Khmer style. Khmer craftsmen probably practiced here first before the real carving at Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Double Stupas. Two sandstone stupas, or Phrathat for local people, in cube shape and round top are situated west or Mo I-Daeng Cliff. The stupas houses things that mirror prosperity of such period.
Don Tuan Khmer Ruins. Built during the 10th -11th Century, the Khmer Ruins in Ban Phum Saron is located 300 metres from Thailand-Cambodia border. A legend says a lady, Namnomyai, had stayed here on her way to visit a King. How to get there: Use highway 2243, and get in to small road at km. 91 and continue for 4 kms.
Sa Trao. The stream runs through rock plain foot of Preah Vihear Mount, before running through subterranean tunnel strengthened by rock walls. It is assumed that such low land is Barai or Khmers reservoir. The stream and around is now well cleaned and filled up with water.
Namtok and Tham Khun Si . The three-tier waterfall, above the cave, is situated west of Sa trao close to trail to Preah Vihear. And Khun Si Cave in gigantic size was believed accommodation of Khun Si, noble man who controlled rock cutting at Sa Trao for constructing Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Huai Kanun Dam. Situated 25 kilometres from the parks headquarter, the dam and its reservoir offers nice scenery for picnic, relax or camping. The parks unit is located nearby.
Chong An Ma. The border check point between Thailand and Cambodia is in Tambon Song, Amphoe Nam Yuen, Ubon Ratchathani. The check point, where border trade is allowed, is open every Tuesday and Thursday.
- Namtok Phu La-O
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.
- Prasat Khao Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear)
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.
About Preah Vihear:
The sanctuary is located on cliff top at 500 metres elevation which has long been considered a sacred place among various local races in the region. Sanctuary and lingam in Shaivism was established here in the 11th Century and attracted people from all around and pilgrimages from far away.
With outstanding location on mountain slope, Preah Vihear Sanctuary comprises 4 parts. The steep stair way leads to the first Gopura which is four-faced pavilion. Then, the walkway leads to the second Gopura which houses carved gable depicting Churning the Sea of Milk which is related to royal coronation of Khmer king. The third part is called Maha Monthian. The last part, by the breath taking cliff, is the sacred inner sanctuary called Prasat Prathan which houses Shivalinga. The sanctuary faces north (or Thailand) towards the up-hill entrance.
- Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaeo
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.
- Prasat Ban Samo
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.
- Prasat Prang Ku
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 Wat Sa Kamphaeng Noi
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.
- Prasat Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai
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.
Brick vihara at north houses a carved lintel depicting Reclining Vishnu. The southern brick vihara houses a lintel depicting God Shiva and Goddess Uma seated on Nonthi Cow. Presently, this Khmer Ruins belongs to the division of Archeology, Fine Arts Department. Many antiques are found from this site such as lintels depicting Shiva God, Krissana God fighting Vattana Cow, Buddha statue in the attitude of meditation under naga, Buddha statue in attitude of meditation, and terra cotta Buddha images.
By the style appearing on gables, lintels, and antique, particularly inscription at the doorframe of Sa Kamphaeng Yai Khmer Ruins, this ruins was probably build in the 11th Century with Bapuan Art style of Khmer. It was served as shrine for God Shiva before changing into Mahayana Buddhist temple in 13th Century.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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