01/06/2016
What to do & Seee - In and around Chum Phae?
Wat Udom Khongkha Khiri Khet
Good for meditation practicing, the temple is located deep in lush forest in Tambon Ban Khok. Luangpu Phang, a Buddhist monk famous in meditation, once lived here. Today, Buddhists come to visit the temple and pay respect to his monument in the temple compound.
How to get there: visitors can go via Highway 12 (Khon Kaen-Chum Phae) for 14 kilometres then turn left to Highway 2062 (Ban Thum-Mancha Khiri Road) for another 44 kilometres and get on highway 229 (Mancha Khiri-Chaiyaphum Road) for 12 kilometres and turn right into the temple, 12 kilometres away.
Tortoise Village
The villagers keep a large amount of tortoises as their mutual pets. The brownish yellow shelled tortoises, called Tao Phek in local dialect, always travel around in the village to be fed.
How to get there: from downtown Khon Kaen, motorists can drive via Highway 12 (Khon Kaen Chum Phae) for ten kilometres then turn left to Highway 2062 (Khon Kaen-Mancha Khiri) for another 54 kilometres. The entrance to the tortoise village is on the left at Ban Kok, two kilometres prior to Amphoe Mancha Khiri. It is easy to notice with two tortoise replicas on the roadside opposite to Wat Si Sumang. Turn left through Ban Kok, the tortoise village is 50 metres away.
Nam Phong National Park
Acquiring a total area of 197 square kilometres, the park covers a large area in Khon Kaen namely; Nong Ruea, Ubolratana, Phu Wiang, Ban Fang, Mancha Khiri, and Khok Pho Chai as well as two Amphoes in Chaiyaphum provinces, Ban Thaen and Kaeng Khro.
The park headquarters is located by the lake over Ubolratana Dam. Forest in this national park is watershed of the chi and Phong Rivers. The deciduous dipterocarp and dry everygreen forests in this mountain range are a major source of herbs. There are viewpoints in the park. Hin Chang Si is a group of rocks, where wild elephants use for scratching their flanks. This point has a scenic view of the Uboltatana lake and Khon Kaen city. Hin Chang Si viewpoint can be accessed by car, eight kilometres from Sok Tae Reforestation Park. From the head quarters, walking to Hin Chang Si takes around two hours. Some 30 minutes on foot from Hin Chang Si is Plan Chat viewpoint. Pha Sawan is another viewpoint from where visitors can witness beautiful scenery of the lake. The cliff is a two-hour walk from the headquarters. Another interesting attraction in the park is Phon Kham, crater-like rock well. For more information, call Nam Phong National Park at Tel. 0 4324 8006 or of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department in Bangkok at Tel. 0 2562 0760.
How to get there: Nam Phong National Park can be reached from two routes.
1. From Khon Kaen, go via Highway 12 to Chum Phae District, then turn right at kilometre 30 to Ban PHue for another 19 kilometres via Highway 3034 (Nong Saeng-Tha Ruea). This route is 49 kilometres.
2. From Khon Kaen, bound for Amphoe Ubolratana via Highway 2, heading for Udon Thani, then turn left to Amphoe Ubolratana. In the Amphoe, use Highway 3034, which lies along the lake over Ubolratana Dam. This route is 65 kilometres long.
Phu Wiang National Park
This national park always reminds tourists about dinosaurs. Indeed, nobody had formerly ever though the Isan plateau was once home of dinosaurs. Until 1976 when a uranium survey team discovered a piece of fossil, which was examined by French specialists and declared that it was a left knee bone of a dinosaur. After that, serious execration has never ended until now.
On the hill Pratu Ti Ma, which was the first site, geologists have found fossils of a dinosaur, 15 metres high with a long neck and tail. This is a kind of plant-eating dinosaur never found else where before, so it was named Phuwiangosaurus Sirindhornae to honour H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. In this site, over ten teeth of a meat-eating dinosaur have also been found. So geologists and scientists presumed that the long-necked dinosaur was prey for these teeths owner. Among these teeths, one is different. After a study, scientist found that it belonged to a new species of dinosaur never found before. So it was named Siamosaurus Suteethorni after the discoverer, Mr. Warawuth Suteethorn.
All the three sites are not far from the headquarters, and tourists can also visit the second and third sites nearby.
Fossils of Siamotyrannus Isanensis found here are the oldest ones, dating back 120-130 million years. This indicates that tyrannosaurus originated in Asia. These fossils are now displayed in the museum of the Department of Mineral Resources.
At the 8th site, there are 68 footprints of dinosaurs, dating back 140 million years ago. Most of them belong to the world's smallest species of meat-eating dinosaur, which walked on two legs. Among such footprints, there is one bigger footprint, assumed to belong to Carnosaurus.
These sites are 19 kilometres from the headquarters. It takes an hour to get there by car and four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. In many sites, geologists found fossils of dinosaur babies, small crocodiles and mussels dating back to 150 million years ago.
Besides fossils of dinosaurs, there are also traces of ancient civilizations in this area including a high relief of the reclining Buddha on the cliff, at the crest of Phu Wiang Mountain. The Buddha image was carved in the 9th century, mirroring an influence from Indian art. Nearby is Tham Famue Daeng, Dang, or Red Palm Cave, at Ban Hin Rong. The cave wall houses prehistoric paintings of cavemen's hands from sprays of red ochre.
Natural attractions in the park include waterfalls and field of wild flowers. Namtok Thap phaya Suea is a small waterfall near to Tham Famue Daeang. Namtok Tat Fa is a 15-metre high waterfall that can be accessed by car. The waterfall is 18 kilometres from Amphoe Phu Wiang. Some 5 kilometres from Namtok Tat Fa is Namtok Tat Klang which is a 8-metre high waterfall. Savanna and rock plateaus are always blanketed with wild flowers in full bloom by the end of the rainy season.
Phu Wiang National Park acquires a total area of 380 square kilometres in Amphoe Si Chomphu and Amphoe Chum Phae.
How to get there: from downtown Khon Kaen, visitors can get there via Highway 12 and connect to Highway 2038, bound for Amphoe Phu Wiang. From Amphoe Phu Wiang, talk the Phu Wiang-Ban Muaeng Mai Road, passing the national park unit, Pak Chong Phu Wiang at kilometre 23. Turn left at kilometre 30 at Ban Pho Reservoir and the national parks headquarters is 8 kilometres away. The headquarters features an exhibition about the dinosaurs and fossils found in the area. For group tourists requiring a guide, contact the headquarters in advance at Tel. 0 4324 9052.
Hat Chom Thong
The beaches are in Ban Hin Phoeng, Tambon Tha Ruea, 53 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. As part of the lake over Ubolratana Dam, the beaches are quite picturesque particularly when the sun sets behind the mountain ranges. There are various water sports available such as water bicycle, banana boat, and scooter. Visitors can enjoy fish a menu of freshly caught from the lake. During the holidays, the beaches are always quite lively.
Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park
The park acquires a total area of 320 square kilometres or 201,250 rai, in Amphoe Ubolratana and Amphoe Non Sang of Nong Bua Lam Phu province. Most area is deciduous dipterocarp forest, which always changes its hue by early November. The national park headquarters at Phu Phan Kham by the lake has a picturesque sunset view. Camping ground is available. The attractions in the park include traces of a pre-historical community of the same period as Ban Chiang such as cave paintings and carvings footprints of dinosaurs that are presumed to be the same species as those found in Phu Wiang.
How to get there: from Khon Kaen, head for Ubolratana Dam until reaching Ubolratana Market 50 kilometres away. Then go via the Ubolratana-Non Sang Road, the park headquarters is 6 kilometres away. Motorists can also reach the park through the Udon Thani-Loei Road, then go through Amphoe Non Sang and get onto the Sok Chan-Ubolratana Dam Road. Bus on the route Ubolratana Dam-Non Sang also reach the park. The buses leave from Ubolratana Market.
Ubolratana dam
Ubolratana dam is the largest multi-purpose dam in the Northeast. To get there, take Highway No. 2 (Khon Kaen-Udon Thani) for 26 kilometres, turn left and drive for 24 kilometres. The dam is across the Phong river at the pass connecting Phu Kao and Phu Phan mountains. The view at the dam is magnificent. Tourists regularly frequent the area to look at the lake and sample local delicacies, including the famous grilled fish famous here.
Phu Pha Man National Park
The obvious natural landmark of this park is the towering limestone cliff that looks like a huge curtain. Lush jungle and mixed forest keep this place cool almost all the year round. Acquiring a total area of 218,750 rai, the park covers areas in Amphoe Phu Pha Man and Amphoe Chum Phae of Khon Kaen as well as Amphoe Phu Kradueng of Loei.
Attractions in this national park include:
Tham KlangKhao The cave is in Phu Pha Man Mountain, 2.5 kilometres from Amphoe Phu Pha Man. The caves entrance is some 100 metres above ground level. Inside is the habitat of millions of bats, whose accumulated droppings cause a strong smell.
Every evening, around 6 pm., these bats always leave the cave in line, over ten kilometres long. It takes some 30-45 minutes until the last bat leaves the cave.
Tham Phra Near to Tham Klangkhao, this cave has a natural tunnel sloping up to the crest of Phu Pha Man, but it is quite difficult to get through. The cave houses beautiful stalagmites, stalactites, and big stone pillars. The cave entrance can be accessed by car in any season. Winter, from November to February, is the best period to visit the cave.
Tham Pu Ta Lo The cave is in Ban Wang Sawap, 17 kilometres from downtown Amphoe Phu Pha Man. Cars can access to the cave entrance only in the dry season, from November to April. The cave has a spacious chamber, covering over a one rai area. With flat soil ground and 5-7 metre high ceiling, good ventilation allows visitors to enjoy admiring the cave comfortably. Stalagmites and stalactites remain untouched. Some glittering stones look like rock crystals.
Namtok Tat Fa Tat Fa creek, natural borderline between Amphoe Phu Pha Man of Khon Kaen and Amphoe Nam Nao of Phetchabun, cascades through five steps to form this waterfall. The last step is the most impressive one with a height of 80 metres. The rainy season, from late May to early October is the best period to visit the waterfall. Namtok Tat Fa is in Ban D**g Sakhran, Mu 7 Tambon Wang Sawap, some 40 kilometres from downtown Amphoe Phu Pha Man. Cars can reach Ban Tat Fa, then visitors have to trek to the waterfall.The headquarters route-From the former route, going through Highway 201.
Namtok Tat Yai The big waterfall originate from Tat Fa Creek. The creek cascades through small waterfalls before going through a big cliff at 80 metres high. Namtok Tat Yai is the highest waterfall in the park.
Namtok Tat Rong With a height of 60-70 metres, the waterfall originates from Phong River that runs from Phu Kradueng. The waterfall borders Phu Kradueng National Park and Phu Pha Man National Park. A folk tale says the waterfall can sing as water runs upon a piece of thin stone, the falling water veers off into different rock holes nearby and fills the forest with strange sounds.
Tham Phaya Nakharat As winding as a giant naga, the one-kilometre long cave is naturally decorated with glittering curtain-like stalagmites and stalactites. Cars can access to the cave entrance.
Tham Lai Thaeng Some 800 metres from Tham Phaya Nakharat is tham Lai Thaeng whose wall has ancient paintings on some two-square metre area. The paintings contain some 70 pictures of humans, animals, and others, mirroring culture and life in the pre-historical period dating back to over 2,000 years ago.
The national park has not any accommodation and facility for tourists. Visitors should prepare everything by themselves. For more information, please contact the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department at Tel. 0 2562 0760. www.dnp.go.th
Tham Pu Lup The cave is on Highway 201. Its five chambers are all decorated with glittering stalagmites and stalactites. The cave contains water the year round.
Pha Nok Khao The towering cliff of black rock by the Phong River looks like an owl or Nok khao in Thai. It is 125 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. Tourists can get there via Highway 2 and 201 (Khon Kaen-Wang Saphung). Pha Nok Khao is on the left of Ban D**g Lan. The best location to see the owl-shape cliff is at the orchid nursery of the Forestry Department on the other side of the road. There is another nearby place of interest known as Namtok Tat Ron, or Namtok Tat Hong as it is called by local dialect name. The 70-matre high waterfall is located in neighboring Loei province on the boundary of Phu kradueng national Park, Phu Pha Man National Park and the Phong River. The sound made by the waterfall when cascading onto a huge a large stone slab beneath is how the waterfall derived its name.
Amphoe Nam Phong - Ban Khok Sanga king cobras village
King Cobras Village Ban Khok Sa-nga in Tambon Sai Mun is famous for its strange pets, king cobra, kept at every house. The villagers formally earned extra income by selling herbal medicines by travelling around through viillages. By 1951, a local doctor, Ken Yongla initiated a cobra show, which was successful to attract clients to the village. Anyway, a cobra show was too dangerous as the snake can spit its poison for two metres making a man blind. So he changed to conduct the show with a king cobra and inherited such skill to the villagers.
Today, after the harvest season, with better transportation, villagers of Khok Sa-nga always travel around to organise a snake show and offer their herbal medicine. In the village, a snake show is held at Wat Si Thamma, performing different series of show such as snake dancing and boxing between king cobra and man. Exhibitions regarding the king cobra as well as nursery are located nearby.
How to get there: Ban Khok Sa-nga is 49 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. Visitors can go via Highway 2 and make a right turn at kilometre 33 to Highway 2039. At kilometre 14, opposite Phang Thui police box, turn right onto a soil road. Then keep going through Ban Na Ngam and make a left turn at the intersection, continue for another 600 metres.
Non Mueang Ancient Town
The ancient town is located at Ban Na Pho, 80 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. Legends say the hill known as Non Mueange was the location of an ancient town. Acquiring a 216 rai area, the oval hill has double moats. Archaeologists have found sandstone Sema boundary markers in Dvaravati style in the town and nearby. Potsherds were scattered around. Some were painted in red, and some decorated with incising and cord-marked patterns.
In the soil layer of the Dvaravati period (7-11th century), none of the funeral-related artifacts was found. So, archaeologists presumed that the funeral of this town changed after the arrival of Buddhism. In deeper soil, more interesting historical evidence was found. Archaeologists found that there used to be a human settlement here since the late pre historic period. They discovered human skeletons dating back 2,500 years ago. Funeral tools and utensils were buried together with the bodies. The utensils found included pottery decorated with painted , incising and cord-marked pattern, bronze and animal-bone bangles, shells, colorful beads, as well as iron tools such as hoe, sickle, and animals bones; namely deer, barking deer, and different fishes. These artifacts prove that people in this community lived on agriculture until the Lop Buri period (11-12th century).
How to get there: Motorists can get there via Highway 12, Khon Kaen-Chum Phae Road, then make a left turn at Chum Phae Post Office, continuing for another 5 kilometres.
Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park
Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park is in Ban D**g Lan, Tambon Pha Nok Khao, 123 kilometres from Khon Kaen on the Khon Kaen-Chum Phae road by Highway No. 12 and 201. A 4-kilometre road on the right then takes you to the park. Tham Pha Phuang is a huge limestone cave. Inside, is a large chimney-shaped rock and lovely stalagmites and stalactites.
