Nong Bua Lam Phu
Nong Bua Lam Phu General Information
Split off from Udon Thani in 1993, Nong Bua Lam Phu is a scenic province famous for its prehistoric sites. Fossilised shells about 140 million years old can be seen in the cliffs 10 kilometres outside the main town;archaeological sites at Kudkwangsoi villages are also attractions.
Well worth a visit is the huge Erawan Cave, Full of beautiful stalagmites and stalacitites. A very long stairway leads up to the cavern, where a large Buddha sits at the entrance.
Wat Tham Klong Phen, a tranquil forest monastery outside of town, is revered as the home of the famous meditation monk. Luang Phu Khao Analayo. A museum in the compound is dedicated to the monk. A beautiful nature reserve is found at Phu Kao Phupan Kham National Park covering 320 square kilometres, including a large lake formed by Ubon Ratana Dam, which is a popular fishing area.
Nong Bua Lam Phu Festival Information
- Phimai Boat RacesBoon Bung Fai Festival (Rocket Festival)
In June of every year, the town hosts the exuberantly celebrated Boon Bung Fai Festival (Rocket Festival) amidst a carnival atmosphere. The two-day event is staged to ensure plentiful rains during the coming rice-planting season. The first day features a parade of carnival floats and huge, colorful bamboo rockets made by the locals themselves, as well as fairs, music and folk entertainment. The huge, homemade rockets are then launched on the second day. .
- Holy Erawan Cave Pilgrimage
The annual, holy Erawan Cave Pilgrimage pays homage to the Buddha image situated in the cave perched atop a mountain in April.
- King Naresuan the Great Fair
The King Naresuan the Great Fair is held on January 25th of every year to pay homage to the highly revered king and features religious ceremonies and fun-filled activities.
Nong Bua Lam Phu Attactions Information
- King Naresuan the Great shrine
This shrine is in the public park opposite the provincial hall. It commemorates the time when King Naresuan the Great of the Ayutthaya period led his troops to Nong Bua Lam Phu in 1574 on the way to helping the king of Hongsawadi fight the city of Si Sattana Khanahut.
- Million-year-old shell fossils
This archaeological site is approximately 10 kilometres from town on the Nong Bua Lam Phu-Udon Thani road. Mollusk fossils have been found here buried in sandstone. The fossils are about 140 million years old.
- Namtok Thao To Forest Park
This is 3 kilometres from town on the way to Udon Thani. A road here runs through a mountain. There is a small waterfall covered with large, shady trees. Nearby is the Chao Pu Lup Shrine which is worshipped by the locals. Cars passing the shrine usually honk their horn as a sign of respect and for good luck on their journey.
- Tham Erawan
This cave is 45 kilometres from town on Highway No. 210 (Nong Bua Lam Phu-Loei) past Na Klang and Na Wang to Km. 13, then a right for 2 kilometres and up about 600 steps by foot up the mountain. At the mouth of the cave is a large Buddha image clearly visible from a distance. Inside the cave is a large space with lovely stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is the origin of local folklore called Nang Phom Hom.
- Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park
This park covers 322 square kilometres. The park headquarters is near the lake at Ubonrat Dam at the foot of Phu Phan mountain in Non Sang. From Nong Bua Lam Phu, take Highway No. 2146 (Nong Bua Lam Phu-Non Sang) for about 40 kilometres to the intersection at Ban Sok Chan, then a left onto the Ban Sok Chan-Ubonrat Dam road for about 14 kilometres to the park office. From Khon Kaen, there is a 7-kilometre road from the dam to the park office.
Phu Phan Kham is a part of Phu Phan mountain range. Stretching north to south, it divides Nong Bua Lam Phu and Khon Kaen. The view of the lake at Ubonrat Dam is magnificent. Tourists frequently overnight near the park office beside the lake.
Phu Kao consists of 9 mountains. The most interesting spots branch out eastward from the Non Sang-Nong Bua Lam Phu road. On the laterite road to Ban Kut Bak are observation points, prehistoric drawings at Mum cave, Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Kao, rock recesses shaped like human and dog footprints that are the source of local folklore, dinosaur footprints on a rock plateau near a stream, and Tat Fa waterfall. A park official is required as guide into Phu Kao.
- Phu Pha Ya Archaeological Site
This is north of Ban Na Charoen in Tambon Dong Mafai. In Wat Phu Pha Ya Thammasathit are prehistoric drawings on a mountain. The drawings are of red paint and depict geometric figures, animals, palm prints, and humans. They date from 2,000-3,000 years ago.
- Wat Tham Suwannakhuha
This temple is around 5 kilometres from the district office. A Buddha image built by Phra Chaiyachetthathirat of Vientiane in 1555 is here. It was built at the same time as Phra Chao Ong Tu and Luang Pho Phra Sai in Nong Khai.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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