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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 MUANG
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.
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