Day 9, Saturday 8 April - Trakan Phuet Phon
OK at LJ....... After two consecutive nights at LJ hotel in Amnat, I can say I've made a dent in the task of covering the attractions in this province but that's about it. Really, we still have a lot to do in the city district and more southerly ones and I hardly know where we will finish up this evening. Completing visits to the remaining attractions in this district today is a tall ask. Rightly or wrongly we're ready to leave at 9.30am having taken breakfast in the room. We decide to cover the attractions in the city district first.
Chao Pho Kut Shrine....... Chao Pho Kut Pong City Pillar Shrine is an ancient shrine believed to be where the spirit of Chao Pho Thong Kham lives. The city pillar is made from a golden shower tree. The height from its base to the top is 170 centimetres. The top of the pillar is entirely carved and gilded with lacquer. His Majesty the King sprinkled and anointed the shrine in 1982, so many people respect it. Chao Pho Kut Pong Shrine and the City Pillar Shrine are located approximately 100 metres from Wongwian Namphu situated next to Kut Pong Park.
Phutta Tham Seang Reservoir....... Phutta Tham Seang Reservoir is close to the town so should be easy to reach. However, the road at least to the embankment is currently closed for new bridgework. This means a search along minor roads to find a suitable viewing point. The lake itself is unspectacular except for the fact that there is an island known as Chitrakut Island, a tourist attraction connected by a foot bridge. A visit to this viewpoint has taken more time than I would have liked but our next site visit is not far away.
Wat Tham Saeng Phet....... Wat Tham Saeng Phet is a Buddhist temple in the City district. It is located on Amnat Charoen-Khemarat Road 18 kilometres from the city, two kilometres off the main road. Located on a large sandstone plain, the temple has a vihara, a pagoda, and a huge reclining Buddha image.
Wat Si Yaek Saeng Phet....... Wat Si Yaek Saeng Phet shares the same hill with Wat Tham Saeng Phet east of Amnat Charoen. These two temples are different monasteries, despite their proximity and similar name. Wat Si Yaek Saeng Phet is positioned on a rock and is different in appearance, but these two monasteries nevertheless share a link, namely Luang Pu Cha (1918-1992) or Ajahn Cha, a monk of the forest tradition whose fame transcends borders of the Kingdom.
Huai Si Tho Reservoir....... Huai Si Tho Reservoir is mainly used for agricultural purposes. Located 15 kilometres from town, the reservoir originates from two mountain ranges, featuring a deep basin. Having a pleasant atmosphere both in the morning and evening, the reservoir serves as a place of recreation for the people of Amnat Charoen. The reservoir has a restaurant suitable for special occasions but not required by us right now.
Phu Sing - Phu Pha National Park....... Phu Sing - Phu Pha features stone mountains under the area of the Pa Dong Hua Kong-Pa Dong Bang I National Reserved Forest with an area of approximately 16 square kilometres. It combines a deciduous dipterocarp and mixed deciduous forests as well as is a watershed of Huai Si Tho. Interesting attractions in the Forest Park include Lan Khwai Tu, a wide rock terrace comprising natural sandstone sculptures of unusual shapes. The stone shapes are the result of the erosion of sunlight, wind and water. Taphap Hin is shaped like a soft-shelled turtle situated on an approximately 10-metre-wide rock terrace.
Pha Chuen Warin, Phu Sing - Phu Pha Forest Park....... Pha Chuen Warin is in the forest park. The cliff is located at the end of a 500m trail and offers gorgeous views. A more peaceful location you never will find. This completes the attractions in the city district as we move to Lue Amnat District.
Wat Amnat....... Wat Amnat has incredible features and qualities including holy Buddha images inside a hall which is designed as a cavern with a light show bringing colour and sparkle to the images. The artistic design is outstanding, an example of monks working together to create new and beautiful structures and projects that turn this temple into a museum of art. The principal Buddha image in the main hall is Phra Chao Yai Luea Chai which represents the bringer of victory. This is a must visit if you are in the area.
Wat Pho Sila....... Wat Pho Sila is a Buddhist temple founded in 1857. It was named after the giant Bodhi tree (pipal tree) and the large number of boundary stones found at the temple. The temple is located on an important ancient settlement. Some of the sandstone boundary markers bare carved decorative figures. For example, one depicts a carved figure around sacred water while another is decorated with carved motifs of lotus petals and yet another marker is carved showing the Wheel of the Law (dharmachakra). In addition, a large cord-marked ceramic vessel containing a large quantity of miniature Buddha images was also found at the site.
Wat Pho Sila and associated groups of monuments and objects were gazetted by the Fine Arts Department as a national site on December 28, 2002, with a total area of about 24 acres.
Wat Phra Lao Thep Namit....... Situated on highway 2134, 2 kms from Amphoe Phana, Wat Phra Lao Thep Namit has a Lanna-style chapel which houses the principal Buddha image, Phra Lao Thep Nimit. Built in 1720, the Buddha image, in subduing Mara attitude is decorated with gold leaves and is considered the most beautiful Buddha image in the Northeast Region.
The art style mirrors Laotian art of Vientiane which was influenced by Lanna during the 16th-17th Century. The Buddha image was probably built a bit after this period, assumed from appearance of local art style such as face pattern, higher flame over the head, lap and feet which are like the art style found in wooden and bronze Buddha statues from the 18th-19th Century.
Having to Adjust....... At this point there are still three attractions on my list in Phana district but it's now 5pm and I don't wish to postpone any longer the uncertainty of not knowing where to stay overnight. Phana is a minor district and the only accommodation nearby that might be suitable is full. After some delay, a decision is made to try in the next district east, but this takes us completely out of the province and into Ubon Ratchathani province. Trakan Phuet Phon is a larger town about 20 minutes away.
Supom Home....... Arriving in the town we think we find suitable apartment style accommodation straight away which appears to be a new build. However, the rooms have no fridge, but we might be able to do without it but Oh Dear! Someone has forgotten to check there is a water supply to the building. We're then directed to a small apartment in the town. There is just one room left at Supom Home Hotel. At 600 baht it's the highest price we've paid so far without breakfast, but we must take it.
Supom Home cannot be called a hotel. There are just seven rooms on the ground floor in an apartment building. The curiosity here is that there are no staff on site. Everything is done over the phone including payment. Even the security camera is linked to the owner's phone. Apparently, he runs another hotel not far away. This curious day ends with a walk down the main street where there is a night market.
Arrival in Ubon Ratchathani has meant some rearranging of our schedule will have to be done tomorrow, in particular what to do about those three missing sites in Phana District of Amnat province. Then as we had planned to visit Ubon Ratchathani next anyway we should at least cover this district first.
Next Page.
OK at LJ....... After two consecutive nights at LJ hotel in Amnat, I can say I've made a dent in the task of covering the attractions in this province but that's about it. Really, we still have a lot to do in the city district and more southerly ones and I hardly know where we will finish up this evening. Completing visits to the remaining attractions in this district today is a tall ask. Rightly or wrongly we're ready to leave at 9.30am having taken breakfast in the room. We decide to cover the attractions in the city district first.
Chao Pho Kut Shrine....... Chao Pho Kut Pong City Pillar Shrine is an ancient shrine believed to be where the spirit of Chao Pho Thong Kham lives. The city pillar is made from a golden shower tree. The height from its base to the top is 170 centimetres. The top of the pillar is entirely carved and gilded with lacquer. His Majesty the King sprinkled and anointed the shrine in 1982, so many people respect it. Chao Pho Kut Pong Shrine and the City Pillar Shrine are located approximately 100 metres from Wongwian Namphu situated next to Kut Pong Park.
Phutta Tham Seang Reservoir....... Phutta Tham Seang Reservoir is close to the town so should be easy to reach. However, the road at least to the embankment is currently closed for new bridgework. This means a search along minor roads to find a suitable viewing point. The lake itself is unspectacular except for the fact that there is an island known as Chitrakut Island, a tourist attraction connected by a foot bridge. A visit to this viewpoint has taken more time than I would have liked but our next site visit is not far away.
Wat Tham Saeng Phet....... Wat Tham Saeng Phet is a Buddhist temple in the City district. It is located on Amnat Charoen-Khemarat Road 18 kilometres from the city, two kilometres off the main road. Located on a large sandstone plain, the temple has a vihara, a pagoda, and a huge reclining Buddha image.
Wat Si Yaek Saeng Phet....... Wat Si Yaek Saeng Phet shares the same hill with Wat Tham Saeng Phet east of Amnat Charoen. These two temples are different monasteries, despite their proximity and similar name. Wat Si Yaek Saeng Phet is positioned on a rock and is different in appearance, but these two monasteries nevertheless share a link, namely Luang Pu Cha (1918-1992) or Ajahn Cha, a monk of the forest tradition whose fame transcends borders of the Kingdom.
Huai Si Tho Reservoir....... Huai Si Tho Reservoir is mainly used for agricultural purposes. Located 15 kilometres from town, the reservoir originates from two mountain ranges, featuring a deep basin. Having a pleasant atmosphere both in the morning and evening, the reservoir serves as a place of recreation for the people of Amnat Charoen. The reservoir has a restaurant suitable for special occasions but not required by us right now.
Phu Sing - Phu Pha National Park....... Phu Sing - Phu Pha features stone mountains under the area of the Pa Dong Hua Kong-Pa Dong Bang I National Reserved Forest with an area of approximately 16 square kilometres. It combines a deciduous dipterocarp and mixed deciduous forests as well as is a watershed of Huai Si Tho. Interesting attractions in the Forest Park include Lan Khwai Tu, a wide rock terrace comprising natural sandstone sculptures of unusual shapes. The stone shapes are the result of the erosion of sunlight, wind and water. Taphap Hin is shaped like a soft-shelled turtle situated on an approximately 10-metre-wide rock terrace.
Pha Chuen Warin, Phu Sing - Phu Pha Forest Park....... Pha Chuen Warin is in the forest park. The cliff is located at the end of a 500m trail and offers gorgeous views. A more peaceful location you never will find. This completes the attractions in the city district as we move to Lue Amnat District.
Wat Amnat....... Wat Amnat has incredible features and qualities including holy Buddha images inside a hall which is designed as a cavern with a light show bringing colour and sparkle to the images. The artistic design is outstanding, an example of monks working together to create new and beautiful structures and projects that turn this temple into a museum of art. The principal Buddha image in the main hall is Phra Chao Yai Luea Chai which represents the bringer of victory. This is a must visit if you are in the area.
Wat Pho Sila....... Wat Pho Sila is a Buddhist temple founded in 1857. It was named after the giant Bodhi tree (pipal tree) and the large number of boundary stones found at the temple. The temple is located on an important ancient settlement. Some of the sandstone boundary markers bare carved decorative figures. For example, one depicts a carved figure around sacred water while another is decorated with carved motifs of lotus petals and yet another marker is carved showing the Wheel of the Law (dharmachakra). In addition, a large cord-marked ceramic vessel containing a large quantity of miniature Buddha images was also found at the site.
Wat Pho Sila and associated groups of monuments and objects were gazetted by the Fine Arts Department as a national site on December 28, 2002, with a total area of about 24 acres.
Wat Phra Lao Thep Namit....... Situated on highway 2134, 2 kms from Amphoe Phana, Wat Phra Lao Thep Namit has a Lanna-style chapel which houses the principal Buddha image, Phra Lao Thep Nimit. Built in 1720, the Buddha image, in subduing Mara attitude is decorated with gold leaves and is considered the most beautiful Buddha image in the Northeast Region.
The art style mirrors Laotian art of Vientiane which was influenced by Lanna during the 16th-17th Century. The Buddha image was probably built a bit after this period, assumed from appearance of local art style such as face pattern, higher flame over the head, lap and feet which are like the art style found in wooden and bronze Buddha statues from the 18th-19th Century.
Having to Adjust....... At this point there are still three attractions on my list in Phana district but it's now 5pm and I don't wish to postpone any longer the uncertainty of not knowing where to stay overnight. Phana is a minor district and the only accommodation nearby that might be suitable is full. After some delay, a decision is made to try in the next district east, but this takes us completely out of the province and into Ubon Ratchathani province. Trakan Phuet Phon is a larger town about 20 minutes away.
Supom Home....... Arriving in the town we think we find suitable apartment style accommodation straight away which appears to be a new build. However, the rooms have no fridge, but we might be able to do without it but Oh Dear! Someone has forgotten to check there is a water supply to the building. We're then directed to a small apartment in the town. There is just one room left at Supom Home Hotel. At 600 baht it's the highest price we've paid so far without breakfast, but we must take it.
Supom Home cannot be called a hotel. There are just seven rooms on the ground floor in an apartment building. The curiosity here is that there are no staff on site. Everything is done over the phone including payment. Even the security camera is linked to the owner's phone. Apparently, he runs another hotel not far away. This curious day ends with a walk down the main street where there is a night market.
Arrival in Ubon Ratchathani has meant some rearranging of our schedule will have to be done tomorrow, in particular what to do about those three missing sites in Phana District of Amnat province. Then as we had planned to visit Ubon Ratchathani next anyway we should at least cover this district first.
Next Page.
Amnat Charoen Province
Chao Pho Kut Pong City Pillar Shrine,
Mueang Amnat Charoen
Phutta Tham Seang Reservoir,
Mueang Amnat Charoen
Wat Tham Saeng Phet, Nong Ma Saeo, Mueang Amnat Charoen District
Wat Si Yaek Saeng Phet, Nong Ma Saeo, Mueang Amnat Charoen District
Huai Si Tho Reservoir, Nong Ma Saeo, Mueang Amnat Charoen District
Phu Sing - Phu Pha Forest Park, Lao Phruan,
Mueang Amnat Charoen District
Pha Chuen Warin, Lao Phruan,
Mueang Amnat Charoen District
Wat Amnat, Amnat, Lue Amnat District
Wat Pho Sila, Pueai, Lue Amnat District
Wat Phra Lao Thep Namit,
Phana, Phana District