SURIN's ATTRACTIONS

Basketry Village, Ban Buthom 14 kilometers from the province on the I Highway 226 (Satin - Sikhoraphum route) the village produces rattan baskets of various types. Basketry shops line both sides of the road.

Presat Sikhoraphum is located at Amphoe Sikhoraphum about 55 kilometers from Surin. It is composed of five prang (pagoda, with the principal structure measuring 32 meters high. Beautiful designs are engraved onto the columns. It is believed that the site had been renovated once during the Ayutthaya Period.

Silverware Villages, Ban Khwao Sinarin and Ban Chok located on Highway 2l/1 (Satin - Chom Phra Route) with a 4 kilometers right turn between Km. l 4 - 15, the villages produce and put on sale assorted silver ornaments such as belts, necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and watches. A large number of silverware shops line both sides of the road.

Prasat Hin Chom Phra small stone castle in Amphoe Chow Phra about 28 kilometers from Surin town, probably used to be an idol temple built by the Khmer. Today a large Buddha image is enshrined in front of the structure.

Elephant Village Many elephants can he found at Ban Ta Klang, Tambon Krapho, Amphora Tha Tum. The villagers here earn their living by firming and wea ving, they also keep elephants as pet. The elephants here are treated like friends and haw been trained well by their mahouts. Every third weekend of November there will he the famous Elephant Show in Surin and many smart elephants participating in the show are from Ban Tha Kiang.

Prasat Hin Ban Phluang situated at Amphoe Prasat, is a little over thirty kilometers from Surin proper. Although comparatively small in size, it is nevertheless beautiful and recently renovated

Surin Elephant Show is held in the third weekend of November. Internationally famous, this annual event brings crowds of visitors to the provincial capital of Surin, where over 100 trained elephants are assembled. Among the spectacular features are wild elephant hunts, tugs of war, demonstrations of log hauling skills, and a parade of elephants outfitted for medieval warfare.

by hotelthailand.com

Tags: Thailand, Thai, Surin, travel, Elephant, villages

Ubon Ratchatani and the Eastern Gateway to Laos

The province of Ubon Ratchatani is the most easterly in Thailand. In the May issue I showed you the Yasathon Rocket Festival and in last months I looked at the candle festival. These are for some the only reason to visit the province but a couple of weeks ago I joined Greater Mekong Sub-region Alliance to learn what else the area has to offer.

Having traveled overnight on a specially chartered bus we arrived into the provincial capital of Ubon Ratchatani at daybreak. After a quick stop for a shower, change and breakfast at Tohsang Ubon Hotel we set to explore the region.

Our first stop was at Wat Nong Pa Phong 6kms from the provincial capital off Highway 2178. A former cemetery and now a forest temple and meditation center founded by the revered ecclesiastic, the late Acharn Cha, who taught the discipline of Buddhist meditation to foreign males. He was also responsible for opening Buddhist temples overseas.

From there we headed for Route 212 in the direction of Amnat Charoen to visit Wat Nong Bua. Best known for its rectangular chedi this temple is built over 50 years ago in the style of India's Bodhagaya, the site of the Lord Buddha's enlightenment, more than 2,500 years ago.

The symbol of Ubon Ratchatani is the image large carved candle in the city park. Rather than made of wax, it is built in cement painted to look as if it's a real candle.

Having explored the provincial capital we headed for Khongjiam (on some maps spelt Chiam) on the bank of the Mekong River, the boarder between Thailand and Laos. We stayed over night at the delightful Tohsang Khongjiam Resort overlooking the 'Mighty Mekhong'. Here the sun rises anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes earlier in Bangkok and was the first point in Thailand to witness the dawn of the new millennium.

While crossing the river into Laos is not permitted crossings at Chongmek to the market town of Champasack is for a fee of just B10. The market offers a wide selection of Laoation Silk and Beer Laos at B20 a can. Tourist who is already in possession of a visa for Lao PDR can enter the country at this boarder point open 8am-6pm daily. Likewise its possible to re-enter Thailand at this boarder crossing.

Having crossed the boarder into Laos one can head for the town of Pakse at the confluence of the Mekong and Don rivers. In 1968 Prince Bounome started to build a five-storey palace but never had time to finish it. It's now converted into a luxury hotel.

East of the town, the mountain Phu Ba Chieng faces its lover Phu Malong, on the other bank of the Mekong.

Phu Pasak, 30kms south of Pakse, on the right bank of the Mekong is a 75m high hill, shaped like an immense lingam, the phallic symbol of the god Shiva. A scared prehistoric site where it's believed that human sacrifices were made.

Possibly the most interesting place to visit in the area is not in Ubon Ratchatani province but in fact in the neighbouring Si Sa Kit - Preah Vihear. For years there has been controversy over whether the temple is in Thailand or Cambodia. Either way this is the most remarkable setting of all Khmer temples. Perched a cliff edge of the Dongrek range of mountains overlooking Cambodia 600 metres below. Due to its strategic location it was closed controlled for decades by the Khmer Rouge. It wasn't until after the death of Pol Pot that it opened permanently in August 1998.

Located 36 kms south of the Thai town of Kantharalak and access is across the Thai boarder before entering a series of causeways and steps stretching 800 metres from the entrance up through five gopuras to the main sanctuary. The Cambodian army guard entrance to the site collecting an entrance fee of B200 from each visitor whilst the Thai army earns their money from the parking area, shops and restaurants at the foot of the temple, on Thai soil.

Tags: travel, amazing, Thailand, Laos, tour, Ubon Ratchatani, Eastern, Thai, hotel, Asia

Amnat Charoen

Introduction
Amnat Charoen is one of Thailand's newly established provinces and a total area of some 3,161,248 sq.kms. Established as a town during the reign of King Rama III , first under the jurisdiction of Nakhon Khemarat. and later moved to be under Ubon Ratchathani. It was elevated into a province on December 1,2536 B.E.(1993). It is divided into six districts and one sub district.

Borders

» North : Mukdahan and Yasothon

» South : Ubon Ratchathani

» East : Laos People Democratic Republic

» West : Yasothon

How to get there
By Road

Through Highway No.1 (Phaholyothin) and Highway No.2 (Mitrapharb), then on to Highway No.226 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin) and Highway No.214 (Surin-Suwannaphum district) at which point turn right to Highway No.202 passing Yasothon and Pha Tiew district to reach Amnat Charoen. Total distance is 580 kms. Alternatively: After highways No.1 and No.2, turn into Highway No.226 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Ubon Ratchathani) to get to Ubon then take Highway No.212 to reach Amnat Charoen. Totalling 704 kms.

By Bus

There are daily regular and air-conditioned bus services from Bangkok to Amnat Charoen starting from the Northern Bus Terminal.

By Train / Air

Travelers by air and by train need to disembark at Ubon and connect by car to Amnat Charoen (75 kms.)

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Ubon Ratchathani

Introduction
Ubon Ratchathani Province covers a total area of 15,744.85 square kilometers, with Amnat Charoen Province to the north, the Banthat Mountain Range along the border of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the south, the Mekhong River and Lao People's Democratic Republic to the east, and Yathothon and Si Sa Ket Provinces to the west.
Ubon Ratchathani is divided into 19 Amphoes and 6 King Amphoes, namely: Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Warm Chamrap, Amphoe Det Udom, Amphoe Buntharik, Amphoe Na Chaluai, Amphoe Nam Yun, Amphoe Khong Chiam, Amphoe Phibun Mangsahan, Amphoe Si Muang Mai, Amphoe Trakan Phutphon, Amphoe Khemarat, Amphoe Muang Samsip, Amphoe Khuang Nai, Amphoe Kut Khaopun, Amphoe Pho Sai, Amphoe Tan Sum, Amphoe Samrong, Amphoe Sirindhom King Amphoe Don Mot Daeng, King Amphoe Thung Si Udom, King Amphoe Na Yia, King Amphoe No Tan, King Amphoe Lao Sua kok, and King Amphoe Sawang Wirawong.
The Kha and the Suai, two local tribes, had moved from Si Sattanakanahut to this area before the Rattanakosin Period. During the reign of King Rama I, the King thought of locating the people scattered around because of war into one area. Therefore, any leader who could gather the greatest number of people and establish a secure community would be promoted to the rank of Chao Muang or Chief. For this reason, in 1786, Thao Kham Phong, who had led a group of his people to settle in the Huai Chaeramae area on a plain on the bank of the Mun River, was promoted to the rank of Chief. Later, when he helped the Thai troops to attack Nakhon Champasak, he was promoted to the rank of Phra Pathum Worarat Suriyawong and became Chao Muang or Governor of Ban Chaeramae, which was upgraded to the status of a province called Ubon Ratchathani. Later, the city was moved to a new site at Dong U-Phung, which is the site of the present city with seven other towns as satellites.
During the reign of King Rama V, before the reform of the provincial administration which divided the kingdom into Monthon (circle), Changwat (province), and Amphoe (district), Ubon Ratchathani was annexed to Lao Kao town. Later in 1899, the name of the area was changed to the Northeastern Monthon with Ubon Ratchathani as its administrative center, and the name was changed again in 1900 to Monthon I-San.
Because of the Depression in 1915, the status of Monthon Ubon Ratchathani was reduced to only a province in Monthon Nakhon Ratchasima in 1933, the division of the kingdom into Monthon was abolished and the city has been known as Ubon Ratchathani from that time on.

How to get there
Transportation to Ubon Ratchathani is very convenient by car, train, and air.

By Car:
Follow Highway 1 (Phahon Yothin Road) to Highway 2 (Friendship Highway). Then follow Highway 2 to Highway 24 (Chok Chai-Det Udom); turning onto this route and following it until the end. The total distance is 629 kilometres. On take Highway 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima and turn onto Highway 226 to Buri Ram - Surin - Si Sa Ket - Ubon Ratchathani.

By Bus:

There are both air-conditioned and ordinary buses leaving from the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Talat Mo Chit) many times a day. For detailed information Tel. 272-5228 (Ordinary Bus) and 272-5299 (Air-conditioned Bus) - Ubon Ratchathani Bus Terminal Tel'. (045) 241831.

By Train:

There are ordinary, rapid, and express trains from Bangkok 10 Ubon Ratchathani every day. For more information please contact: Tel. 223-7010,223-7020.

By Plane:

Thai Airways International Ltd. has a daily flight for passengers and air parcels from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani. Detailed information can be requested from Thai Airways International Ltd., Lan Luang Rd., Bangkok, Tel. 280-0060, 628-2000 and Ubon Ratchathani Office, Tel. (045)313340-4.
As for local transportation, there are buses running from Muang District to other districts and to other nearby provinces in the Northeast and the North, such as Chiang Mai.

Festivals & Events
The Candle Festival is the largest religious ceremony in Ubon Ratchathani. It is celebrated yearly by the City on Asalha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) Day. The ceremony is held at Thung Si Muang and Chaturamuk Pavillion. There are two kinds of candle competitions; the sticker imprint candles and the carved ones. The procession, consisting of candle floats from the various temples, with a beautiful lady representing an angel for each candle, mves from the front of Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram along the road to Thung Si Muang. At night, there is entertainment to celebrate the Lent candles. The reflection of lights on the candles creates a picturesque effect during the festival.


Local Products
The local products of Ubon Ratchathani are Khit-designed pillows, Pha Khao Ma or loincloths, silk, fold up mats, Khit-designed cloth, basketry (such as winnowing baskets), sticky rice containers, fish baskets, and ordinary baskets. Tourists may buy them from souvenir shops around Khuan Thani Road near the Ratchathani Hotel, or from the market in town.
Ubon Ratchathani is also famous for local food prepared from freshwater fish, meat, Pla Sawai or Pla Tepho, sliced into long thin pieces, marinated in salt water with chopped pineapple, meat, and sealed in jars. This kind of specialty is called "Khem Mak Nat." It can be used to make various kinds of food; for example, it can be used as many kinds of dips. This product is sold all over Amphoe Muang.

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