Day 7, Thursday 6 April - Amnat Charoen
Redirection....... Samran Chaikhong Hotel has proved comfortable enough and the local style breakfast is an improvement on the previous two nights.
To counteract the hectic day yesterday this needs to be an easier day while at the same time being a day of transition. We reached the point last night when we had to decide regarding onward travel. My original thought was that we would be in Chiang Khan in Loei coinciding with Songkran (on the 13th) for family reasons. Knowing now that there is no reunion planned, that enables me to fill in some blanks for the remaining part of this tour. Today we'll be heading south rather than north which allows me immediately to cover one more province. With only about two hours traveling time predicted, this will give me time to rest and reorganize after the rather hectic last couple of days.
As we make a start, I note more attractions in the city still on my list and decide to clear these up first. This should take us close to midday.
Wat Si Sumang Wanaram....... Wat Si Sumang Wanaram is located on the Mekong riverbank in the north part of the city. It's a replica of Phrathat Phanom chedi.
Wat Yot Kaeo Siwichai....... Built in 1826, over 200 years ago, Wat Yot Kaeo Siwichai was built by Phraya Chai Suriyawong. It is called Wat Klang (middle) as it was established in the middle of the city. In 1846 it was restored and given the name of Wat Kaew or Kaeo. Inside the temple, there is a replica of Phra That Phanom and a large Buddha image.
Indo-Chine Market....... The Indo-Chine Market is the only attraction in Mukdahan that I'd been to before. It was here, way back in 2011 after returning from Savannahkhet we stayed overnight and took dinner here in the night market.
The Indo-Chine Market is situated on Samran Chai Khong Road, in Tambon Si Bun Rueang. The Market stretches along the Mekong River for 1 kilometre, starting from Wat Si Mongkhon Tai and passing Wat Yot Kaeo Si Wichai. Different types of domestic and imported merchandise (from Lao PDR., Vietnam, and China) are sold at this huge market. Most of the products are clothes, food, electrical appliances, consumer goods, souvenirs, as well as OTOP products from Mukdahan.
City Pillar Shrine....... Mukdahan City Pillar Shrine or San Lak Muang) is a four-sided Thai style shrine. It is a place where local people come to pray for future success and is their spiritual home at the point where the city was founded. There is an annual ceremony held annually here on the 9th of January.
Finally, we head south following the line of the Mekong River, back through Don Tan district and across the provincial border finding ourselves in Chanaman on the Mekong. Here there is little to report and we just observe the actions of local people.
Wat Yak Khunnathammanusarn....... The only location we visit here is Wat Yak Khunnathammanusarn. This is a Laotian style chedi with a lotus bud style spire of similar design to Prathat Phanom Chedi but smaller.
Chanaman is the only district in Amnat Charoen that lies on the Mekong River. The next location takes me completely by surprise.
Kaeng Khan Sung....... Kaeng Khan Sung is another series of rapids. This indicates another change in elevation more noticeable because the waterway here is relatively narrow as it passes on the Thai side of one of the larger islands along the Mekong. What has surprised me here is given how quiet it's been on this trip, this location is packed with humanity, the car park heaving and landowners having a field day charging 40 baht for parking although to be fair they only have this opportunity for three months of the year. Floating rafts attract visitors seemingly from miles around. These rafts not only provide dining areas but also platforms for swimmers and bathers.
It's well passed lunchtime, but my companion is not impressed believing that the popularity of this place will send prices soaring. After a large breakfast we decide to wait till we get to the city of Amnat just an hour away.
Amnat Arrival....... We arrive in the city just after 3pm and my prayers are answered. No accommodation has been booked but searching around doesn't prove too difficult. As has happened in Yasothon, we find a budget room. Sometimes online searches just don't provide the answers; we simply notice a signboard by the roadside and inquire. At 400 baht it's cheap which is probably not surprising considering we've now moved away from the Mekong River.
Late lunch is taken before we retire to the room. Missing out on Kaeng Khun Sung has helped to ease a strain on my budget. Things should be quite manageable now from here until my return to the UK.
Next Page.
Redirection....... Samran Chaikhong Hotel has proved comfortable enough and the local style breakfast is an improvement on the previous two nights.
To counteract the hectic day yesterday this needs to be an easier day while at the same time being a day of transition. We reached the point last night when we had to decide regarding onward travel. My original thought was that we would be in Chiang Khan in Loei coinciding with Songkran (on the 13th) for family reasons. Knowing now that there is no reunion planned, that enables me to fill in some blanks for the remaining part of this tour. Today we'll be heading south rather than north which allows me immediately to cover one more province. With only about two hours traveling time predicted, this will give me time to rest and reorganize after the rather hectic last couple of days.
As we make a start, I note more attractions in the city still on my list and decide to clear these up first. This should take us close to midday.
Wat Si Sumang Wanaram....... Wat Si Sumang Wanaram is located on the Mekong riverbank in the north part of the city. It's a replica of Phrathat Phanom chedi.
Wat Yot Kaeo Siwichai....... Built in 1826, over 200 years ago, Wat Yot Kaeo Siwichai was built by Phraya Chai Suriyawong. It is called Wat Klang (middle) as it was established in the middle of the city. In 1846 it was restored and given the name of Wat Kaew or Kaeo. Inside the temple, there is a replica of Phra That Phanom and a large Buddha image.
Indo-Chine Market....... The Indo-Chine Market is the only attraction in Mukdahan that I'd been to before. It was here, way back in 2011 after returning from Savannahkhet we stayed overnight and took dinner here in the night market.
The Indo-Chine Market is situated on Samran Chai Khong Road, in Tambon Si Bun Rueang. The Market stretches along the Mekong River for 1 kilometre, starting from Wat Si Mongkhon Tai and passing Wat Yot Kaeo Si Wichai. Different types of domestic and imported merchandise (from Lao PDR., Vietnam, and China) are sold at this huge market. Most of the products are clothes, food, electrical appliances, consumer goods, souvenirs, as well as OTOP products from Mukdahan.
City Pillar Shrine....... Mukdahan City Pillar Shrine or San Lak Muang) is a four-sided Thai style shrine. It is a place where local people come to pray for future success and is their spiritual home at the point where the city was founded. There is an annual ceremony held annually here on the 9th of January.
Finally, we head south following the line of the Mekong River, back through Don Tan district and across the provincial border finding ourselves in Chanaman on the Mekong. Here there is little to report and we just observe the actions of local people.
Wat Yak Khunnathammanusarn....... The only location we visit here is Wat Yak Khunnathammanusarn. This is a Laotian style chedi with a lotus bud style spire of similar design to Prathat Phanom Chedi but smaller.
Chanaman is the only district in Amnat Charoen that lies on the Mekong River. The next location takes me completely by surprise.
Kaeng Khan Sung....... Kaeng Khan Sung is another series of rapids. This indicates another change in elevation more noticeable because the waterway here is relatively narrow as it passes on the Thai side of one of the larger islands along the Mekong. What has surprised me here is given how quiet it's been on this trip, this location is packed with humanity, the car park heaving and landowners having a field day charging 40 baht for parking although to be fair they only have this opportunity for three months of the year. Floating rafts attract visitors seemingly from miles around. These rafts not only provide dining areas but also platforms for swimmers and bathers.
It's well passed lunchtime, but my companion is not impressed believing that the popularity of this place will send prices soaring. After a large breakfast we decide to wait till we get to the city of Amnat just an hour away.
Amnat Arrival....... We arrive in the city just after 3pm and my prayers are answered. No accommodation has been booked but searching around doesn't prove too difficult. As has happened in Yasothon, we find a budget room. Sometimes online searches just don't provide the answers; we simply notice a signboard by the roadside and inquire. At 400 baht it's cheap which is probably not surprising considering we've now moved away from the Mekong River.
Late lunch is taken before we retire to the room. Missing out on Kaeng Khun Sung has helped to ease a strain on my budget. Things should be quite manageable now from here until my return to the UK.
Next Page.
Mukdahan Province
Wat Si Sumang Wanaram,
Mueang Mukdahan
Wat Yot Kaeo Siwichai, Mueang Mukdahan
Indo-Chine Market, Mueang Mukdahan
City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Mueang),
Mueang Mukdahan
Mukdahan Clock Tower and Other Attractions, Mueang Mukdahan
Amnat Charoen Province
Mekong River, Chanuman
Wat Yak Khunnathammanusarn, Chanuman
Kaeng Khan Sung, Chanuman