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Cover
story: 25 Aug
Vol. 25 No.10 |
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Pha
Taem Cliff, the majestic
cliff on the Mekong riverside
(By courtesy of TAT) |
By
Dararai |
Ubon
Ratchathani is a popular tourist province in the north-eastern
region. It is 629 km from Bangkok and covers an area
of 15,744 sq.km. The name Ubon means a lotus as in former
times, there were plenty of lotuses here. Its attractions
scattered in several counties are of several kinds ranging
from historical, religious to natural. Since it is a
large province containing a lot of attractions, a one-day
tour to Ubon Ratchathani may seem too short for you.
The following are brief descriptions of some interesting
attractions grouped by location.
Thung Si Muang Park
(By courtesy of TAT)
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MUANG COUNTY
Thung Si Muang Park, situated in
front of the Provincial Hall, features the City Pillar
Shrine, the Monument of Merit as well as statues and
monuments of important figures and events.
Wat Thung Si Muang
(By courtesy of TAT) |
Wat Thung Si Muang is near Thung
Si Muang Park. The murals in its ordination hall are
among the most beautiful in Thailand. They depict
the stories about the Buddha's life, his previous
incarnation and the daily life of the locals.
Ubon Ratchathani National Museum displays
facts and history about Ubon Ratchathani such as its
topography, political history, artefacts, folk handicrafts
and personal items of former governors of the province.
Wat Chaeng
(By courtesy of TAT) |
Wat Chaeng, established in 1888,
is on Sapphasit Road. An interesting point is the
ordination hall which reflects the remarkable folk
art, especially the delicate carvings.
Wat Maha Wanaram
(By courtesy of TAT) |
Wat Maha Wanaram highlights a Buddha
image named Phrachao Yai Inpaeng which was cast by
a governor of Ubon Ratchathani and is of Laotian art.
WARIN CHAMRAP COUNTY
Wat Nong Pa Phong is a serene temple
suitable for practising meditation.
Wat Pa Nana Chat is the 19th branch
of Wat Nong Pa Phong. Most monks here are foreigners
who are strict about the Buddhist discipline.
PHIBUN MANGSAHAN COUNTY
Kaeng Saphue Rapids These are the
most awesome rapids in the Mun River. The name Saphue
means a boa constrictor as it is believed that there
is a snake cave under the water. To be able to see
rocks emerging above water, you should come here in
the dry season (February-May). During the Songkran
Festival (13-15 April) of each year, celebrations
are held in the area.
SIRINTHON COUNTY
Sirinthon Dam provides visitors with
a scenery of its lake and colourful decorative plants.
Chong Mek is an immigration checkpoint
bordering Laos on Highway 217 which connects with
the road leading to Champasak Province of Laos. In
the same area, a market of a myriad goods is located.
Kaeng Tana Rapids
(By courtesy of TAT) |
Kaeng Tana National Park, covers
an area of 80 sq. km. Attractions in the park are
such as Kaeng Tana Rapids, which
are the largest rapids in the Mun River, the Suspension
Bridge connecting the park head office with
Don Tana and commanding a spectacular
view, and the beautiful Tat Ton Waterfall
which is swimmable.
KHONG CHIAM COUNTY
Mae Nam Song Si at the Mun Estuary
is where the Mun River meets the Mekong, resulting in
two different colours of water -- the Mun is indigo
while the Mekong is terra cotta. A cruise to enjoy the
scenery along the Mekong River is available here.
A view of Pha Taem
National Park
(By courtesy of TAT)
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Pha Taem National Park covers
an area of 140 sq.km. and is full of hills and high
lands. Deciduous dipterocarp forests predominate the
park. Attractions are as follows: Sao Chaliang
is mushroom-like rocks that have been eroded by water
and wind for millions of years. Pha Taem Cliff
is the majestic cliff on the Mekong riverside. On one
side of it, there are historic cliff paintings aged
3,000-4,000 years old. The paintings stretch out over
180 metres of the cliff wall and contain more than 300
figures making them the world's largest group of cliff
paintings. They depict fish traps, men and animals like
turtles and the giant catfish of the Mekong River. Besides,
Pha Taem Cliff is also a spot to enjoy the majestic
view of the dawn. Soi Sawan Waterfall
is a beautiful waterfall with a height of 20 metres.
It is surrounded by tall trees and various kinds of
flowers. |
Saeng Chan Waterfall
(By courtesy of TAT) |
Saeng Chan Waterfall offers a romantic scene
of the waterfall flowing through a hole. When it reflects
the sunlight at noon, the jumping down water looks like
the moonlight.
Sao Chaliang, a mushroom-like
rock in Pha Taem National Park
(By courtesy of TAT) |
Dong Natham Forest is excellent for trekking
because of its biological diversity.Attractions are
such as Pha Chanadai Cliff, Pha
Hin Taek Cliff, Pha Kampan Cliff,
Huai Phok Waterfall and Kwang
Ton Waterfall. To see the wild flowers growing
above rocks and the sea of mists above the Mekong riverside,
you should visit the place in the period from September
to November.
BUNTHARIK COUNTY
Huai Sai Yai Waterfall This scenic
waterfall is part of Buntharik-Khao Yotmon Wildlife
Sanctuary. In the rainy season, there will be plenty
of water.
Phuchong-Nayoi National Park boasts
several beautiful waterfalls, viz, Huai Luang
, Koeng Mae Phong and Kaeng
Lamduan. Besides, there are rapids and cliffs
such as Kaeng Silathip Rapids and
Phu Hindang Cliff which are magnificent.
THUNG SI U-DOM COUNTY
Prasat Ban Ben Stone Castle This
small monastery consisting of three prang2
was discovered in 1990. From its architectural style
and the artefacts found here, scholars presumed that
the monastery was established around the end of the
15th Buddhist Century or mid-10th century A.D.
1The prang is an ancient type
of Thai pagoda.
Samphanbok Rock in the
Mekong River |
PHO SAI COUNTY
Samphanbok Rock in the Mekong River Here,
you will be astonished by the creation of nature.
The mystic rock with thousands of holes looming above
the waterway in the dry season is believed to be a
result of severe erosions of strong whirlpools. Nearby
is the Mekong Grand Canyon, a 20-metres-wide water
channel with a height of 3-7 metres. To enjoy the
majestic Samphanbok, you can go on a round-trip cruise
(from and to Hat Salueng at Songkhon Village). The
boat will cruise for about four kilometres passing
several interesting spots.
Lifestyle of the riverside
people |
KHEMMARAT COUNTY
Wat Pho features two important ancient
Buddha images -- Phra Chao Yai Ong Saen and Phra Kaeo
Yok Morakot. Wat Pho once served as a place for the
sacred "Water of allegiance" ceremony in
ancient times.
Mekong Grand Canyon |
Hat Salueng Pier at Songkhon
Village |
SOUVENIRS AND LOCAL
PRODUCTS
Tourists can buy souvenirs from souvenir shops along
Khuean Thani Road or from the market in town. Popular
items include hand-woven cotton and silk fabrics,
khit2-patterned pillows,
brassware and basketry.
Khit-patterned
pillows and
hand-woven handbags and mats.
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In addition, you should try local foods like muyo
(Thai-style pork sausage) and sai krok-i-san (north-
eastern style sour pork sausage).
HOW TO GET THERE
By car: From Bangkok,
use Highway 1 to Saraburi. Then turn onto Highway 2
and Highway 24 to reach Ubon Ratchathani.
By
bus: Air-con and non air-con buses daily
leave the North & North-eastern Bus Terminal (Mochit
2) for Ubon Ratchathani. (Tel: 0 2936 2852 to 66 or
www.transport.co.th).
By train:
Trains to Ubon Ratchathani daily depart from Hua Lamphong
Railway Station (www.railway.co.th)
By
plane: Daily flights are available to
Ubon Ratchathani. Call 0 2280 0066 or 0 2628 2000 or
www.thaiairways.com for more details.
For
more information, please contact TAT North-
eastern Office Region 2 on tel: 0 4524 3770, 0 4525
0717, fax: 0 4524 3771
2Khit is a traditional north-eastern
pattern used for weaving cloth.
• Special thanks
to TAT North-eastern Office: Region 2 for arranging
an impressive trip to Ubon Ratchathani and giving Thaiways
useful information.
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