Spiritual Tourism

Phra Mahathat Ratchamongkol Chedi Sirichaiyaphum

or Phra That Chaiyaphum, is located in Arun Thammasat. It is a peaceful meditation place on the high hill of Phu Laen Kha. It is an architecture that combines Lan Xang and Lanna arts with a castle-shaped chedi with a golden crown. There are arches enshrining standing Buddha images in all 4 directions, and the inside housing the relics and frescoes. Moreover, the Buddha’s relics are decorated very beautifully. Activities not to be missed – Paying respect to the relics – Admiring the quaint stucco-patterned architecture – Viewing the scenery on top of the mountain Address: Two-storey house, tambon Khao Ya Dee, amphoe Kaeng Khro, Chaiyaphum province 36150 Opening hours: Every day 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Recommended travel season: All seasons How to get there: From Kaeng Khro district office, take Highway No. 2353 for about 23 km and you will find a junction. Turn left for about 11 km, you will arrive at Phra Mahathat Ratchamongkol Chedi Sirichaiphum. พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/n1a9ZyNXaTHgV83P7

Wat Non Sila Thong

It is located on a high hill with beautiful views. It is an ideal place to meditate, shady with trees and cool weather to look at the surrounding scenery. Farther away are Phu Khiao, Khao Phung Huei and Khao Phaya Pho. There is a staircase leading up to the top of the mountain. The top of the mountain is made into a dhamma field enshrining a large Buddha image, relics and arahants to worship for auspiciousness. Activities not to be missed – Worshiping the arahants – Viewing the surrounding scenery from a bird’s eye view Address: tambon Ban Jiang, amphoe Phakdi Chumphon, Chaiyaphum province, 36260 Opening hours: 6 am – 5 pm Recommended tourist season: all seasons How to get there: From amphoe Phakdi Chumphon, take Highway No. 2359. When reaching wat Tham Saeng Thian, turn left for about 2 km to wat Non Sila Thong. พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/BDKseHnRFtBchdsHA

Wat Thep Inthara Pradit

There is an ordination hall and a golden pagoda gloriously glittering, and there is a naga-headed Buddha image flanked by two serpents that surround the hall and pagoda. In the midst of the peaceful atmosphere of nature, the sculptures that surround the outside are equally exquisite. It is one of the temples that you need to arrange a trip to pay respect to. Activities not to be missed – Paying respect to Luang Pho Phuttha Thamma (Ban Dan Suk) inside the ubosot Address: tambon Ban Rai, amphoe Thep Sathit, Chaiyaphum province 36230 Opening hours: from 6 am – 6 pm Recommended travel season: All seasons How to get there: It is about 5 km south from the Pa Hin Ngam national park office. พิกัดการเดินทาง/GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/wfNaaTt2nq7u8QRc8

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

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