| THAILAND'S
NORTHEASTERN GATEWAYS
TO THE MEKONG COUNTRIES
NAKHON
PHANOM - "City of Hills"
Situated
on the bank of the Mekong River across from Muang Tha Khek
in Laos, Nakhon Phanom offers panoramic vistas of the Mekong
River set against the rugged mountains of Laos. Given its
strategic location, Nakhon Phanom is increasingly the preferred
gateway to neighbouring Laos.
|
The
Illuminated Boat Festival |
- The
Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boats Festival
The
Illuminated Boat Festival is a key festival. According
to Buddhist legend, the festival originated from celebrations
that were held on the day the Lord Buddha returned
to the world of earthly beings at the end of the Buddhist
lent, after having spent "Khao Pansa" or the Buddhist
Rains Retreat in the "World of Dieties" where he offered
his teachings.
|
As
part of the celebrations, longboat races were held during the
day, and after dark, traditional boats made of from the trunks
of banana trees or bamboo and illuminated with paraffin lanterns
were launched in a spectacular display on the river. These were
called "Reua Fai" (literally fire boats). Sacred offerings of
cakes, rice, flowers, candles and incense sticks and other items
used in Buddhist rituals are placed in the illuminated boats.
PLACES
OF INTEREST
TEMPLES
& STUPAS
- Phra
That Phanom
This sacred stupa built on a square base 12.33 metres wide
is estimated to be approximately 1,500 years old and is
highly revered by Buddhists all over Thailand. A chedi,
built in the Lao-style and standing over 50 metres high,
is the centrepiece of the temple. Its spire is decorated
with 110 kg of pure gold.
- Phra
That Renu Nakhon
is a revered shrine that houses the "Tripitaka" Buddhist
scriptures, gold Buddha images and other religious artefacts.
Other
stupas in Nakhon Phanom are the Phra That Ta-Uthain and
the Phra That Sri Khoon.
- Wat
Si Thep
The exquisite mural paintings on the inner walls of the
"bot" or chapel depict the "Chataka" or the past lives of
Lord Buddha and the kings of the Chakri dynasty.
- Wat
Okat Temple on the bank of the Mekong River houses many
old Buddha images considered to be sacred by the locals.
The temple also features beautiful mural paintings.
- Wat
Trai Phum
Believed to be a sacred image with rain-making powers, the
80-inch "Phra Bang" Buddha image of Wat Trai Phum stands
on an octagonal base depicting eight elephants.
NATURAL
ATTRACTIONS
- The
Phu Langka mountains is the source of several streams and
waterfalls such as Nam Tok Taad Kham Waterfall and Taad
Pho Waterfall, and supports a great diversity of wild flowers
and orchids.
- Don
Don Island and Kaeng Kabao rapids in the Mekong River
SHOPPING
The most popular local products of Nakhon Phanom are silk
and matmee cotton, produced in Renu Nakhon, That Phanom,
Si Songkhram, and Na Wa. Reed mats and products woven from
reed are made in large quantities at Ban Lao Phattana. Khaen,
a northeastern musical instrument made at Ban Tha Rua, Na
Wa and Ban Phanom, are often purchased as decorative items,
or as souvenirs.
- That
Phanom Market
- A
handicraft market is held near the Wat Phra That Renu Nakhon
temple. shops and vendors in the vincinity of the temple
or directly from weavers in the village
- Renu
Nakhon
A village known for its cotton and silk-weaving, especially
matmee or ikat designs.
Contact
information:
TAT NORTHEASTERN OFFICE - REGION 4
E-mail: tat.ne@npu.msu.ac.th
Tel: 66-53-513-490 to 1
Fax: 66-35-513-492 |
