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AMPHOE BUNG KHLA
Phu Wua Wildlife Reserve
Phu Wua Wildlife Reserve covers an area of over 180 square kilometres
near the Mekong and the Thai-Lao border. Most of attractions in
the area are waterfalls which are best visited during late rainy
season (from August to November).
Namtok Tham Fun can be reached by taking Highway No. 212. Turn
right at the sign, 7 kilometres before Bung Khla district and go
along an access road for 4 kilometres.
Namtok Chet Si is a beautiful waterfall which can be reached by
road via Phu Thok. If travelling along Highway 212, turn right at
the sign, 12 kilometres before Bung Khla district and continue for
28 kilometres.
Other waterfalls including Namtok Phu Tham Phra and Namtok Chanaen
which are difficult to be reached by road during the rainy season.
Vientiane
Visa
Foreign tourists wishing to visit Laos from Nong Khai must apply
for visas at least 3 working days in advance at
- Lao Embassy, 520/1-3 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39, Bang Kapi, Bangkok,
Tel: 0 2539 6667 or
- Lao Consulate General, 171/102-3 Prachasamoson Road, Amphoe
Mueang, Khon Kaen, Tel: 0 4324 2856-8 Fax: 0 4224 4918
They can use the services of a number of tour operators in Nong
Khai. The visa is valid for 1 month and visitors can extend for
additional 2 months.
Visitors to Laos may obtain visas on arrival at the Immigration
Office in Laos and are permitted to remain in Laos for 15 days.
Transportation
Shuttle bus services crossing the bridge cost 20 baht per person.
From the checkpoint in Laos visitors can hire a taxi to Vientiane
which is 20 kilometres away and costs 500 baht. The checkpoint is
open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Major attractions in Vientiane are temples, museums, monuments
and a morning market. Package tours cost approximately 800-1,500
baht for one-day trip and 2,000-2,600 baht for two-day trip. The
prices vary according to the number of people in a group. Details
can be obtained from tour operators in Nong Khai.
AMPHOE MUEANG
Hat Chom Mani
Hat Chom Mani is a sandy beach on the Mekong River, 2 kilometres
from town. The beach occurs during the dry season in April. The
locals and tourists enjoy a day out here.
Phrathat Bang Phuan
Phrathat Bang Phuan is at Ban Don Mu, 11 kilometres from town on
the Nong Khai-Udon Thani road, then a road on the right onto Highway
No. 211 to Tha Bo for 10 kilometres. This old pagoda is 34 metres
high and houses the holy relics of Lord Buddha. It underwent major
renovation in 1976 because the original fired brick pagoda collapsed.
The temple still has the old pagoda, temple boundary markers and
an ancient stone inscription. Furthermore, there is an ancient pool
from which water was once used in blessing past city lords.
Phrathat Nong Khai
Phrathat Nong Khai collapsed into the Mekong in 1847. Over the years
the pagoda drifted to the centre of the river where it is seen today.
Prap Ho Monument
Prap Ho Monument is in front of the provincial hall. It honours
soldiers who died suppressing the Ho rebellion in 1886.
Sala Kaeo Ku
Sala Kaeo Ku is full of strange statues according to the belief
of a defunct sect. It is 3 kilometres from town on the way to Phon
Phisai. Luang Pu Luea, an old man who believes all religions should
be integrated together, set up the park in 1978 by allegedly using
unskilled craftsman to carry out fine details. Sala Kaeo Ku features
a large garden of statues depicting Buddhist and Hindu gods, goddesses,
saints, devils, and demons, as well as some secular sculptures.
Tha Sadet
Tha Sadet is the port for local people crossing the Mekong River
to Tha Duea in Laos. There is a market for Indo-Chinese and eastern
European products, as well as the provinces local goods.
Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is the first international bridge spanning
the Mekong. The bridge was built jointly by the governments of Australia,
Thailand and Laos. It was opened in April 8, 1994.
Wat Pho Chai
Situated in Nong Khai town, this temple houses Luang Pho Phra Sai,
a beautiful gold Buddha image most sacred in the province.
AMPHOE SANGKHOM
Namtok Than Thip
Namtok Than Thip is at Ban Tat Som in Tambon Ban Muang at Km. 97
on Highway No. 211, then take a left for 2 kilometres. This three-level
waterfall is 30 metre-high, 100 metre-high and 70 metre-high, respectively.
It is at its most beautiful in the rainy season.
Namtok Than Thong
Namtok Than Thong is in Ban Pha Tang at Km. 74 of Highway No. 211,
11 kilometres before arriving in Sangkhom district office and 83
kilometres from Amphoe Muang. The waterfall is 30 metres high and
falls down to the Mekong. Below is a large pool suitable for swimming.
There is water only in the rainy season.
AMPHOE SI CHIANG MAI
Wat Hin Mak Peng
Wat Hin Mak Peng on the bank of the Mekong is at Ban Thai Charoen
at Km. 64 of Highway No. 211, around 75 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang.
The temple used to be the residence of Luang Pu Thet Thetrangsi,
a monk with followers nationwide. Many Buddhists come here to meditate.
AMPHOE SI WILAI
Phu Thok
Phu Thok is a sandstone mountain 200 metres high standing all alone
in Ban Kham Khaen in Tambon Na Sabaeng. The monk Phra Achan Chuan
Kunchettho established a meditation centre here by constructing
wooden stairs from the foot of the mountain winding along the cliff
face to the summit. It took more than 5 years to build. Along the
way, visitors can see many interesting spots, like the rock formation
that is like a tunnel, a cave and the cliff. In addition, they can
enjoy the magnificent view from high up. To get to Phu Thok from
Nong Khai, take Highway No. 212 past Pho Chai, Pak Khat and Bueng
Kan, then take a right onto Highway No. 222 to Si Wilai and to Phu
Thok, totaling 185 kilometres. A distance from Bueng Kan to Phu
Thok is 46 kilometres.
AMPHOE THA BO
Luang Pho Phra Chao Ong Tue
Luang Pho Phra Chao Ong Tue is at Ban Nam Mong at Km. 31 of Highway
No. 211, 43 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. This Buddha image is
4 metres high and is made of gold, bronze and silver. It is the
work of craftsmen from northern Thailand and Lan Chang. Built by
Phra Chaiyachettha of Vientiane in 1562, the image is revered by
Thais and Laos.
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