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Amphoe Ban Khwao Ban Khwao Ban Khwao district is famous for
silk weaving and cotton of good quality and lovely designs. It is particularly
well known for its Mat Mi silk that is popular among those who favour traditional
fabrics. The district is 13 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang on Highway No. 225.
Another attraction here is the large swamp that is home to waterfowls, which migrate
here during October to January. ::
Amphoe Khon San Chulabhorn Dam Chulabhorn Dam is at Tambon
Thung Phra and dams the Phrom River. It is a rock-filled dam with an earth core.
The dam is 700 metres long and 70 metres high. It is used to generate electricity
and irrigation. Boat rentals are available to view the sights of the reservoir.
To get to the dam, take the Chaiyaphum-Chum Phae road (Highway No. 201) to Nong
Song Hong junction, then turn left onto Highway No. 2055, a total distance of
120 kilometres from Chaiyaphum. Phu
Khieo Wildlife Reserve This wildlife reserve is on the same way as Chulabhorn
Dam between Km. 24-25. It has an area of 1,560 square kilometres. The geography
consists of a sandstone mountain range with high cliffs. The verdant jungle is
the watershed of an important river of the Northeast called the Chi and is home
to an abundance of wild animals, as well as over 350 bird species. The reserve
is ideal for studying flora and fauna. The most interesting spot is Thung Kamang,
a grass field that is the grazing ground for many animals. The reserve is open
only to persons wishing to study nature. Permission must be obtained from the
reserve chief by writing to P.O. Box 3, Chum Phae Post Office, Khon Kaen or contact
the Wildlife Reserve Section, Royal Forestry Department, Bang Khen, Bangkok.
:: Amphoe Khon Sawan Narinthawat
Farm Narinthawat Farm is at Km. 28 on the Chaiyaphum-Phu Khiao road.
The farm has shelters decorated with an assortment of flora. A distinctive feature
is the many carts from the regions of Thailand, some over a century old with beautiful
woodcarving designs.
:: Amphoe Mueang Chao Pho Phraya Lae shrine This shrine
is on the bank of Nong Pla Thao, 3 kilometres from the city, on the way to Ban
Khwao. There is a large tamarind tree on the bank, which is said to be where Chao
Phraya Lae died fighting Vientiane soldiers in 1826. Phraya
Phakdi Chumphon monument This monument is at Sun Ratchakan roundabout
on the way into the city. The people of Chaiyaphum built it to honour the citys
founder. Phu
Phra Phu Phra is at Ban Kanaisa, Tambon Na Sieo. It is a small mountain
with drawings of Buddha images from the U Thong period on the face of a cliff.
They date from the 18th-19th Buddhist century, around the early Ayutthaya period.
There is a fair to pay homage to the drawings every April for 3 days. To get there,
take Highway No. 201 (Chaiyaphum-Phu Khiao) for 13 kilometres, then turn left
onto the Na Sieo-Huai Chan road and drive for 6 kilometres. Prang
Ku This khmer sanctuary is at Ban Nong Bua, Tambon Nai Mueang, 3 kilometres
from the city. Prang Ku is a Khmer-style ancient site built in the 18th Buddhist
century. The main pagoda is square with a length of 5 metres on each side. A stone
Buddha image in the meditation posture from the Dvaravati period that was moved
from elsewhere is beside it. A building is situated in front of the pagoda surrounded
by a wall. Everything is made of laterite except for the door and window frames,
the lintel and columns that are made of sandstone. Outside the wall is a pool
in perfect condition. Tat
Ton National Park The Tat Ton National Park covers some parts of Phu
Laen Kha mountain range. To get there, take Highway No. 2051 for 21 kilometres.
Tat Ton waterfall is an important tourist spot. The water here cascades down wide
rock plateaus, creating breathtaking scenery, especially in the rainy season when
there is plenty of water. The park also has Pha Iang waterfall, which is 32 kilometres
from the city on the Chaiyaphum-Nong Bua Daeng road, and Tat Fa waterfall, which
is 25 kilometres from the city on the Chaiyaphum-Kaeng Khro road. ::
Amphoe Nong Bua Daeng Pha Koeng This cliff is part of Lankha
Mountain, 36 kilometres from the city on Highway No. 2159. Along the road there
is large rock jutting out. At the top is the Chaiyaphum Phithak Buddha image standing
14 feet high. The cliff offers a good view of the area. ::
Amphoe Nong Bua Rawe Sai Thong National Park The Sai Thong
National Park covers 340 square kilometres of Phang Hoei mountain range. The park
headquarters is at Tambon Wang Takhe. To go to the park, take the Chaiyaphum-Nakhon
Sawan road (Highway No. 225) to Km. 121-122, turn right and drive for 7 kilometres.
The most important attraction of the park is Sai Thong waterfall, 1 kilometre
from the park office. Water falls smoothly down rocks, about 100 meters from top
to bottom. There is also a wide field of Dok Krachiao that rivals the flowers
in Pa Hin Ngam in Amphoe Thep Sathit. The field can be reached only on foot and
visitors should stay there overnight. ::
Amphoe Phu Khieo Ban Khae Decorative trees can be found at
Ban Khae, which is about 1 kilometre from Amphoe Phu Khiao on Highway No. 201.
The trees are sought after for garden decoration and they constitute the main
occupation of the village. Several trees are taken and bent into interesting shapes,
then sold to visitors. Ban
Noen Salao At Mu 6, Ban Non Salao, Tambon Nong Tum on Highway No. 201,
8 kilometres from Ban Khae, the village is engaged in silk and cotton weaving
and local products derived from them such as pillows. Phra
That Nong Sam Muen From Chaiyaphum, take Highway No. 201 past Phu Khiao
to Ban Nong Song Hong for 75 kilometres, then turn left onto Highway No. 2055
and drive for 9 kilometres to Ban Kaeng. There, turn left and drive for a further
5 kilometres. This ancient square-based pagoda is 32 meters wide and 45 meters
high. It is one of the most complete and most beautiful pagodas to be found. Incorporating
art from the Lanna, Lan Chang and Ayutthaya periods, it is believed to have been
built during the 21st-22nd Buddhist century.
The present site of the pagoda used to be the site of an ancient city from the
Dvaravati period that flourished during the 12th-16th Buddhist century. Traces
of a moat and buildings remain. Many artefacts have been discovered here such
as sandstone temple markers and Khmer-style sculptures. ::
Amphoe Thep Sathit Pa Hin Ngam National Park This national
park can be reached via the Bangkok-Saraburi-Chai Badan route, then connecting
to Highway No. 205 (Chai Badan-Thep Sathit-Chaiyaphum). Then take a left-hand
road just before the district for 29 kilometres. The park is littered with large
rocks of unusual shapes, some resembling a nail, a serpents head and an ancient
castle. In the early part of the rainy season in July, Dok Krachiao, a jungle
flower with an underground bulb, will sprout pink blooms all over the area. With
winter come orchids emerging from rock cracks and innumerable types of jungle
flowers. Sut Phaen Din is a steep cliff that connects the Northeast to the Central
Region. Visitors can get a panoramic view of the surrounding area from here. Tents
can be set up for overnighters in the park. Thep
Prathan and Thep Phanom waterfalls are medium-sized waterfalls at their loveliest
in the rainy season. They are 34 kilometres and 48 kilometres from Thep Sathit
district, respectively. |