Nakhon Phanom Province

BackGround
    Nakhon Phanom is situated on the bank of the Mae Khong River opposite Muang Ta Kaek of Laos. It is where the Phra That Phanom, the most sacred and ancient relgious monument of the Northeast, is located. For the Phra That is venerated by both Thais and Laotians along the Mae Khong. Although it partially collapsed sometimes ago, it has since been restored to its glory. Nakhon Phanom is 740 kilometers from Bangkok.

Attractions & Places of Interest

    Riverside Promenade is alongside the Khong River in the municipal area. It gives a good view across the river especially in the early morning when the sun rises above the mountains.

Phra That Phanom
    Phra That Phanom Is about fifty kilometers from town property. It has not been conclusively proved when it was built. However, according to archaeologists, it is about 1,500 -year-old. Fifty-two meters high, each of its rectangular bases measures 12.33 meters, and its decorative top is made of gold weighing 110 kilograms. The annual Phra That Phanom Fair is celebrated on the full-moon evening of the 3rd lunar month. Thousands of worshippers flock to Nakhon Phanom to pay homage to this most important religious shrine in the Northeast. Stalls and performances staged throughout the 7-day celebration.

    Nam Tok Tat Pho 5 kilometers from Nam Tok Tat Kham, can be reached after 2 hours walk. The waterfall is from a river originating from Phu Langka mountain and the area has its own natural beauty especially in the rainy season.

    Prathat Tha Uhten Situated in Amphoe Tha Uthen, has the likeness of Phrathat Phanom. It was built in 1912 A.D. to store a relic of the Lord Buddha brought from Myanmar.      

    Phra That Renu Nakhon The main religious monument in Amphoe Renu Nakhon about fifty kilometers from town, is similar to the Phra That Phanom but in a smaller scale. Renu Nakhon boasts a market place not unlike San Kamphaeng in Chiang Mai, with cotton, silk, dresses and quilted blankets as leading local products.

    Prathad Mahachai This beautiful pagoda in Wat Khosadaram at Ban Mahachai in Pla Pak is 40 kms. from Nakhon Phanom. In the pagoda is a relic of the Lord Buddha. Also, enshrined in the ordination hall is the Buddha image of Pra Puttachaiyasit. Within the ordination hall you can see murals depicting the history of Buddhism. In the temple there is a wood carving of a Buddha image which was made from the largest Neem tree in Thailand. A Buddhist monk "Thanchaokhun Sunthorn Thammakorn", know to Thais as Luang Phu khamphan lives in the temple and is revered by the people.