THAILAND'S
NORTHEASTERN GATEWAYS
TO THE MEKONG COUNTRIES
THAILAND'S
NORTHEASTERN GATEWAYS
TO THE MEKONG COUNTRIES
NONG
KHAI - GATEWAY TO VIENTIANNE
The
Thai-Lao
Friendship Bridge |
Situated
on the stretch of the Mekong River where the borders of Thailand
and the Lao People's Democratic Republic meet, the town of
Nong Khai offers a panoramic view of the Mekong River and
Laos on the opposite shore, and serves as the gateway to Vientianne,
the capital of Laos.
With the
opening of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge which spans the
Mekong River,a major overland link connecting Nong Khai on
the Thai side to Tha Na Laeng in Laos was established in 1994.
Once across the bridge, the onward journey to Vientianne is
only 20 kms away. Hence although the traditional ferry crossing
remains in operation, much of the trade and travel between
the two countries is now overland via the bridge. Nong Khai
is also the only checkpoint where visas-on-arrival are issued
to overseas tourists.
Stalls
and shops along the river banks offer a vast selection of
local products and souvenirs such as hand-woven clothes, basketry,
silverware, food-stuffs and imports from Laos.
DESTINATION
HIGHLIGHTS
PLACES
OF INTEREST
- Tha
Sadet
A port for crossing the Mekong River to Tha Dua in Laos
is also known for its market for local products and products
from the countries of Indochina and Eastern European countries.
- Chom
Mani Beach
As the level of the Mekong falls during the dry season (in
April), Chom Mani Beach, a raised islet in the middle of
the Mekong River re-appears.
- Sala
Kaeo Ku
A pavilion full of unusual statues depicting scenes and
characters from Buddhist and Hindu tales.
- Wat
Pho Chai Temple
The temple houses a beautiful gold Buddha image that is
the most sacred in the province.
- Phra
That Bang Phuan at Ban Don Mu on the Nong Khai -Udon Thani
Highway
This is an old 34-metre high pagoda that houses the holy
relics of Lord Buddha. Relics of the original brick pagoda,
temple boundary markers, ancient stone inscriptions and
an ancient pool from which water was once used in rituals
to bless former city lords can still be seen within the
temple grounds.
- Than
Thong Waterfall
The waterfall is 30-metres high and plunges into a pool
as it descends into the Mekong, during the rainy season.
- Than
Thip Waterfall
This is a 3-tier waterfall at 30-metres, 100-metres and
70-metres high respectively.
The waterfall reveals its full splendour during the rainy
season.
- Phu
Thok
This is an isolated sandstone outcrop 200-metres high that
rises abruptly from a plain in Bung Kan district.
Wat
Chetiya Khiri Viharn is a Buddhist meditation centre that
has been established at the summit of this rocky outcrop.
For the ascent, there is a wooden staircase that winds its
way along the cliff face revealing unusual rock formations,
tunnels, caves and vertical cliff faces.
- Wat
Hin Mak Peng is another temple with a well-established
Buddhist meditation centre that attracts a large following
of local worshippers.
- Phu
Wua Wildlife Preserve
Covering an area of 180 sq kms., the Chet Si Waterfall,
Chanaen Waterfall, Tham Phra and Tham Fun Waterfalls are
some of the places of interest in the wildlife preserve.
- THE
TRADITIONAL BOAT RACES & BANG FAI PHAYA NAK FESTIVAL
Traditional boat races are held at the end of the Buddhist
Lent or rains retreat in October and the province of Nong
Khai hosts Thai-Laos friendship boat races. The event is
accompanied by the Bang Fai Phaya Nak Festival at nightfall.
Contact
information:
TAT NORTHEASTERN OFFICE - REGION 5
E-mail: tatudon@esan.inet.co.th
Tel: 66-53-325-406 to 7
Fax: 66-35-325-408
UDON
THANI
Home of the Ban Chiang World Heritage Site
Udon Thani
is one of the more prosperous provinces of I-san or Northeastern
Thailand. Modern air, road and rail links providing convenient
access to Nong Khai on the northern border with Laos, and
Khon Kaen.
A gateway
city to the I-san region, Udon Thani is a transport hub and
agricultural centre for northern I-San. Udon Thani is 56 km
south of Nong Khai and the Friendship Bridge that spans the
Mekong River.
BAN
CHIANG CULTURAL WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Ban Chiang
is one of Thailand's four UNESCO-designated "Cultural World
Heritage Sites".
ANCIENT
CLUES TO PREHISTORIC LIFE AT BAN CHIANG
Approximately
5,600 years ago, the earliest population of Ban Chiang lived
in small wooden houses built above ground similar to the houses
of the agriculturalists in present day Northeastern Thailand.
Although the inhabitants grew their own rice and raised domesticated
animals, they continued to hunt, gather wild plants and fish.
During the later prehistoric sequences of Ban Chiang, this
lifestyle continued. It is of interest that, even today, this
pattern of subsistence economy still exists in the rural areas
of Thailand.
Archaeologists
also believe that since its emergence some 5,600 years ago,
there were skilful potters in the prehistoric Ban Chiang communities.
The pottery-making techniques employed by the earliest settlers
continued right up until the last prehistoric habitation between
2,300 - 1,800 years ago.
The colours
of the early types of Ban Chiang ceramic were black to dark
grey. These were decorated mainly with carefully executed
curvelinear, incised, and rock-stamping designs. The most
impressive ceramics of Ban Chiang, however, are those of the
latest Iron Age period. These are buff pottery decorated with
elaborate designs in red paint. Although most feature spiral
designs, more than 100 variations of the spiral paintings
have now been identified.
The apparent
use of bronze-casting around the late third millennium BC
suggests that the villagers during that time engaged in extra-community
exchange networks - the means by which copper and tin were
brought to the bronze smith in Ban Chiang. The archaeological
findings indicate that by this time, Thai metalsmiths had
gained sophistication. All of the basic steps in bronze metallurgical
technology were well understood and practiced. Techniques
was also refined and developed.
Artefacts,
which may have served as status symbols, found at burial sites
offer insight into the social dimension of prehistoric Ban
Chiang. Differentiation in burial treatment suggests the existence
of different social status within the community. In conclusion,
the settlement at the Ban Chiang site was one of great sophistication,
socially, culturally and technologically.
The Archaeological
Significance of Ban Chiang
Up until 1960, most leading archaeologists around the world
tended to believe that prehistoric Southeast Asia was a culturally
and technologically backward area. Archaeological evidence
from excavations at Ban Chiang and other sites in Thailand
have proven otherwise.
The initial
settlers at the Ban Chiang site around the late fourth millennium
BC were already rice agriculturalists. They also kept domesticated
animals, at least, cattle and pigs. Later during the late
third millennium BC, these prehistoric sedentary villagers
gained new knowledge in bronze metallurgy. Bronze implements
such as socketed axes and spearpoints, and ornaments including
bracelets and anklets were cast locally. As the area around
Ban Chiang is devoid of copper and tin, the main ingredients
for bronze-making, it is likely that the inhabitants of Ban
Chiang were involved in extra-community exchanges. Iron metallurgy
appeared in the early half of the first millennium BC and
lasted until the first few centuries of the Christian era
before the prehistoric village was abandoned.
The developments
confirm that the prehistoric population of Southeast Asia
had the ability to either develop or adopt new technologies
as early as other cultures. It also suggests that indigenous
technological and cultural developments do occur in all societies
and regions of the world.
Reference
source:
Ban Chiang - A World Heritage In Thailand
Published by the Fine Arts Department
PLACES
OF INTEREST
- Ban
Chiang Museum at Wat Po Sri Nai and
Wat Pho Sai Nai Archaeological Museum
The Ban Chiang National Museum and the Wat Pho Sai Nai Archaeological
Museum house an impressive display of artefacts excavated
from the area.
- Phu
Phra Bat Historical Park
and Wat Phra Buddhabat Bua Bok
Phu
Phra Bat Historical Park, situated on top of a wooded hill,
is noted for its bizarre rock formations, odd-shaped rocks,
prehistoric cave paintings, rock art and carvings, and hiking
trails. Although most are faded and leave the faintest trace
or have succumbed to elements and the passage of time, the
wall-paintings trace the progression of art forms over the
centuries. There is evidence of human settlement in the
area from as far back as 3000 BC. Some of the prehistoric
rock shelters have been transformed into shrines and sites
for Buddhist rituals.
- Yung
Thong Waterfall
is a picturesque triple-tier waterfall that cascades down
the Phu Phan cliff-face.
- Local
products
Udon Thani is known for its hand-made cotton, Khit silk,
earthernware pottery made in the ancient Ban Chiang style,
dried honey bananas and coconut chips.
Contact
information:
TAT NORTHEASTERN OFFICE - REGION 5
E-mail: tatudon@esan.inet.co.th
Tel: 66-53-325-406 to 7
Fax: 66-35-325-408 |
