Sakhon Nakhon, Thailand

Sakon Nakhon is in the upper Northeast. It is on the Phu Phan mountain range and has many forest temple retreats for meditation. These temples are also where famous monks well known in meditation circles reside.

Sakon Nakhon is 647 kilometers from Bangkok and has an area of 9,605 square kilometers. Sakon Nakhon consists of the following districts: Muang Sakon Nakhon, Waritchaphum, Kutbak, Kusuman, Ban Muang, Phanna Nikhom, Sawang Daen Din, Wanon+ Niwat, Phang Khon, Akat Amnuai, Songdao, Kham Ta Kla,
Tao-ngoi, Khok Si Suphan, Nikhom Namun, Charoen Sin, Phon Na Kaeo and
Phu Phan.
 

Attractions:
Nong Han A 32-sq.km. lake in Sakon Nakhon is a popular place of relaxation. Its offshore isles, particularly the Don Sawan, are both beautiful and restful and can be easily reached by hired boats.

Phra That Choeng Chum a major and sacred religious monument of Sakhon, is enshrined at Wat Phra That Choeng Chum in town. Of rectangular shape, it is made of mortar and bricks with a height of 24 meters.

Phra That Narai Cheng Weng another religious structure is located at the Ban That village about five kilometers from town center. It is of Khmer-style pagoda, made of laterite, and 12 meters high.

Wat Pa Suthawat opposite the Town Hall, is where the paraphernalia and remains of the highly respected late Phra Achan Man Bhuritatto are kept.

Phu Phan National Park 25 kilometers from the province on Sakon Nakhon-Kalasin route, the park is scattered with limestone mountains, groves, and savannahs with several natural attractions such as Tat Ton Waterfall and Kham Hom waterfall

Huai Huat Reservoir 35 kilometers from King Amphoe Tao Ngoi, the reservoir is a part of Huai Huat National Park, a consequence of Huai Huat Dam construction. Fronting the reservoir are a royal hall, a flower garden, and a natural arrangement of various forms of rocks.

Nam Phung Dam at Amphoe Kut Bak is a multipurpose dam. 172 -meter long and 40-meter high, it dams up a huge lake with a surface area of about 6,000 acres.

Wat Pu Udom Somphon three kilometers off from highway No. 22 at Km. 123, is where another extremely venerated Achan used to reside. Visitors pay respect to the life-size statue of Phra Achan Fan Acharo.

Nam Un Dam 5 kilometers before entering Amphoe Phang Khon on Sakon Nakhon route with a left turn at km. 49 on Phang Khon - Waritchaphum route with a 6.6 km. turn, the huge dam provides a sanctuary for numerous teals. A trip to Mae Un Waterfall and a fishing trip are some examples of various activities at the dam.

Kut Na Kham Arts & Crafts Center is located at Ban Kut Na Kham, Amphoe Charoen Sin, 112 kilometers from Sakon Nakhon. It is where potter; fabric weaving and wood carving are made by hand with unique designs and production.


Fesitvals & Events:
Wax Castle & Boat Racing Festival
October 11 - 14, 2000
Wat Phra That Choeng Chum, Sakon Nakhon
To celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa), people in the northeast (I-san) mould beeswax into miniature Buddhist temples and shrines (wax castles) in order to gain merit, which will determine their future rebirth. These crafted models can be witnessed especially in Sakon Nakhon where there is an annual festival with a grand wax castle procession, competitive boat racing as well as traditional northeastern cultural performances among many other joyous activities.


How to get there:
Sakon Nakhon is 512 kilometers from Bangkok. The best and most convenient route is to leave Bangkok along Saraburi Nakhon Ratchasima-Ban Phai-Maha Sarakham Highway to Sakon Nakhon totaling a journey duration of six hours. Traveling by plane one has to go to Khon Kaen Province first and continue the trip by land transport to Sakon Nakhon Province.

From the Northeastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok there are several ordinary and air-conditioned buses going to Sakon Nakhon. From Sakon Nakhon Province, the bus leaves Sakon Nakhon Terminal at Thawa Phiban Road, Tel. (043) 511939, 512546.