Summer Vibes

Chao Pho Phaya Lae Shrine

Located near Nong Pla Thao swamp, it is about 3 km from Chaiyaphum city, taking a separate entrance from the main road from Chaiyaphum-Ban Khwao, turn right into Nong Pla Thao. At the water’s edge is a large tamarind tree which is said to be where Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae) had been killed by Vientiane soldiers in 1826. A wooden shrine was built under the tamarind tree. Later in 1968, the residents of Chaiyaphum province built the Chao Pho Phaya Lae shrine to house a statue of him inside to whom the people of Chaiyaphum can pay respect. Activities not to be missed – Paying respect to the Chao Pho Phaya Lae shrine Address: Haruethai Road, tambon Nai Mueang, amphoe Mueang Chaiyaphum, Chaiyaphum province 36000 Opening hours: Every day from 6 am – 6 pm Suggested tourist season: All seasons How to get there: From the city hall, take Highway No. 225 for 3 km. Tel: 044-835-030 พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/kVowDZuyCFMuwctaA

Ban Kut Ngong boundary marker

It is a large boundary marker over 2 m high, made of red sandstone, carved in patterns on allegory and images of Bodhisattva. Some of them have inscriptions of the Pallava script of South India. They are found in large numbers around the village, therefore kept within the temple pavilion around Wat Kut Ngong near Wat Kut Ngong school. The markers were used to determine the boundaries of the monks’ rituals. Activities not to be missed – Seeing over 30 pieces of ancient Dvaravati art of large boundary markers Address: tambon Bung Khla, amphoe Mueang, Chaiyaphum province 36000 Opening hours: Every day from 8 am – 5 pm Recommended travel season: All seasons How to get there: From Chaiyaphum city, take Highway No. 202 for about 12 km, turn right for another 3 km to Ban Kut Tum, then turn right to the route Kut Tum – Bung Khla, another 4 km. พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/gfVBsELbagwR8drs6

Thung Bua Daeng Bueng Lahan

There are many red lotuses in the middle of Lahan Lake where tourists can take beautiful pictures of the lotus that bloom in the morning light. See the lifestyle of villagers who are engaged in fishing in Lahan Lake. There is a bamboo bridge extending into the swamp to capture beautiful pictures of the red lotus fields. Activities not to be missed – Taking a local rowing boat to see the red lotus – Cycling around the lake to see the beauty of the red lotus fields Address: Bueng Lahan, Ban Makleua, tambon Ban Kok, amphoe Chatturat, Chaiyaphum province Opening hours: daily from 6 am – 6 pm Recommended travel season: February – May (The best time to see the lotus is 6:30 am – 7 am) How to get there: From amphoe Chutturat, head to Highway No. 2170, turn right to wat Makleua for another 4 km to reach Thung Bua Daeng, Tel: 044-812-350. Page : Bueng Lahan พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/wWLX2UEzmsN8mC7m8

Wat Tham Satcah Tham

This is the word that revered monks gave to the land surrounded by nature and valleys. At one time, in the past, there were parents, monks, Luang Pu Chob, who used to practice Vipassana meditation and walk in meditation in this cave. Currently, there is also a walkway that allows villagers to go up to pay respect to the footprints of the charismatic arahants. Later, Luang Pu Sithon Silatano (Wat Tham Pha Pu) went on a pilgrimage following his vision and arrived at this cave. Everything in the cave met his vision. Most important is that there was a large stone about three storeys high that occurs naturally within the cave. The stone looks like “Phra Chedi Song Phra Prang” that is very tall and beautiful. Later he began to pioneer and led the villagers to build this temple and had Luang Pu Lek, the previous abbot stationed at the temple as his representative. And shortly thereafter, Luang Pu Lek died. Activities not to be missed – Paying respect to the footprints of the arahants Address: tambon Thung Lui Lai, amphoe Khon San, Chaiyaphum province 36180 Opening hours: 6 am – 5 pm Recommended tourist season: all seasons How to get there: From Khon San district office, take Highway No. 2055 until reaching tambon Huai Yang police station. From the police station, follow Khon San Road – Chulabhorn Dam for about 10 km to reach Wat Tham Satcha Tham. Tel: 062 963 8514 พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/b3zbGWdVh1pJuhwg7

Phra That Nong Sam Muen

          It looks like a chedi with twelve indented corners. Located on a square base, it is one of the most important and interesting archaeological sites. The relics are beautiful and complete, from the architecture and art that blends between Lanna, Lan Xang and Ayutthaya. It is assumed that it was built during the reign of King Chai Chetthathirat of the Lan Xang Kingdom. The site of Phra That Nong Sam Muen was originally a large ancient city in the Dvaravati period, around the AD 7-11. Address : Tambon Ban Kaeng, Amphoe Phu Khiao, Chaiyaphum 36110 พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/ktUYMwqQq6RKwe7S6

Wat Sila At

There are 9 Buddha images inscribed, which is the origin of the name “Phu Phra”. A large Buddha image is called “Phra Chao Ong Tue” by the locals. Nearby there are 7 Buddha images engraved around a sandstone pillar and a 7-inch black sandstone Buddha image with the same characteristics as Phra Ong Tue in front of another. The Fine Arts Department has registered it as an ancient monument and antiquities. Activities not to be missed – Paying homage to Phra Chao Ong Tue – Visiting the sacred pond behind the Buddha image Address: Village No. 6, Ban Na Kai Sao, Chaiyaphum-Phu Khiao Road , Tambon Na Siew, amphoe Mueang, Chaiyaphum Province 36000 Opening hours: Every day from 8 am – 5 pm Recommended travel season: All seasons How to get there: From Chaiyaphum city, follow Highway No. 201 (Chaiyaphum-Kang Kro) for about 15 km and turn left along Na Siew-Huai Chan Road for about 5 km and turn left to the temple for another 1 km. พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/QCE1eZrfVUHaKDQDA

Prang Ku

It is a form of Khmer architecture in the Bayon style, during the reign of Jayavarman VII. It was one of the most important and perfect hospitals. The pediment and lintel are carved in sandstone, showing the intricacies of creating the image of the four-armed Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara standing in an arch above the pedestal of plants amid the rolling foliage. The people of the community have held a grand gilding ceremony of Phra That Prang Ku every year. Activities not to be missed – The community held the Phra That Prang Ku gilding ceremony around April. It has been practiced for a long time in order to maintain community’s good tradition. Address: tambon Nai Mueang, amphoe Mueang District, Chaiyaphum 36000 Opening hours: There is no exact opening and closing time. Travel season: all seasons How to get there: From the front of Chaiyaphum city hall to the east, follow Bannakarn Road for about 3 km to Prang Ku, which lies next to Wat Prang Ku. พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/CUYZHzt99KRg6fEeA