Sakon Nakhon
Sakon Nakhon General Information
Sakon Nakhon is in the upper Northeast. It is on the Phu Phan mountain range and has many forest temple retreats for meditation. These temples are also where famous monks well known in meditation circles reside.
Sakon Nakhon is 647 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 9,605 square kilometres. Sakon Nakhon consists of the following districts: Muang Sakon Nakhon, Waritchaphum, Kut Bak, Kusuman, Ban Muang, Phanna Nikhom, Sawang Daen Din, Wanon Niwat, Phang Khon, Akat Amnuai, Song Dao, Kham Ta Kla, Tao Ngoi, Khok Si Suphan, Nikhom Nam Un, Charoen Sin, Phon Na Kaeo and Phu Phan.
Sakon Nakhon Festival Information
- Wax Castle Procession
Held in Amphoe Muang at the end of the Buddhist lent for 3 nights around the middle of October. The second night features a beautiful procession, an ancient boxing dance (a folk play indigenous of Sakon Nakhon) and boat races. Visitors to the festival can continue on to the Illuminated Boats Procession in Nakhon Phanom that is held immediately after.
Sakon Nakhon Attactions Information
- Ban Kut Na Kham Arts and Crafts Centre
Her Majesty the Queen has initiated to set up Kut Na Kham Art and Crafts Centre in 1983 in Ban Kut Na Kham, Tambon Charoen Sin, Amphoe Chaoreon Sin. The centre is established to train craftsmanship for Isan people who generally have excellent skill for handicraft. The handicrafts produced form this centre will help the poor earn some extra. The centre becomes model for other 30 something Art and Crafts Centres established later nationawide.
Presently, the centre is a major quality terra cotta products producer of Isan. Visitor can enjoy witnessing the delicate process in demonstration room featuring casting and painting and enjoy shopping finished products in the show room. Terra cotta products from Kut Na Kham is famed for its high quality and unique design. Today its handicrafts portfolio expands to wood carving, silk weaving, artificial flower producing, basketry and etc. Delicates handicrafts from the centre are always displayed and sold in the provinces souvenir fairs, and festivals countrywide.
- Huai Huat National Park
Huai Huat National Park has many interesting spots. The park can be accessed via either taking the Sakon Nakhon-Kalasin road for 5 kilometres and then Highway No. 2339 on the left for 35 kilometres, or taking the Sakon Nakhon-Na Kae road for 14 kilometres and then a road on the right for 18 kilometres. The park is noted for the visual beauty of the reservoir, the waterfall and the rock plateau covered with flowers at the end of the rainy season. There are also prehistoric cave drawings.
- Isan Freshwater Aquarium
This aquarium is at the Sakon Nakhon Fishery Station on Sai Sawang Road. The centre has on display freshwater fish and animal species found in the Northeast.
- Namtok Pricha Suksan
This waterfall is on Phu Phan mountain range, 17 kilometres away on the Sakon Nakhon-Udon Thani route and 10 more kilometres on the left. The waterfall is a rock plateau with water coming down like a slide. It is suitable for swimming.
- Phra That Choeng Chum
Phra That Choeng Chum is an historical site that has always been with Sakon Nakhon. This plaster-covered brick pagoda has a square base and is 24 metres high. The chapel houses the holy Luang Pho Ong Saen.
- Phra That Narai Cheng Weng
This khmer sanctuary is 5 kilometres from town on the way to Udon Thani. The sandstone pagoda is on a laterite base. Ornate designs adorn the lintel, doorway and windows. It is believed the site was entirely constructed by women who competed with the men who built Phra That Phu Phek. It dates from the 16th-17th Buddhist century.
- Saphan Khom
Saphan Khom is just before entering the town on the Sakon Nakhon-Udon Thani Road. It is believed to have been a route of the Khmer people.
- Nam Un Dam
Nam Un Dam is 57 kilometres from Amphoe Muang en route to Udon Thani and a left for 6 kilometres en route to Waritchaphum. The dam is at its loveliest at sunset over the reservoir.
- Phra That Si Mongkhon
Phra That Si Mongkhon at Tambon Ban That is 2 kilometres from the district office. This pagoda has a square base and is decorated with fired clay designs. The present pagoda encases the original one which is made of laterite.
- Khong Ping Ngu
Khong Ping Ngu is 14 kilometres from Amphoe Muang. It is part of the Sakon Nakhon-Kalasin route. This snake-like road is interesting for the largest kilometre marker in Thailand. Many waterfalls like Heo Sin Chai, Tat Ton and Kham Hom, are nearby with easy access.
- Phu Phan National Park
Phu Phan National Park covers a wide jungle area in the upper Northeast. The park headquarters is on Highway No. 203 on the way to Kalasin, 25 kilometres from the district office. Tourist spots in Kalasin include Pha Nang Moen, an observation point 700 metres by foot from the park office, and Lan Sao E, a natural rock plateau on a cliff 2 kilometres away.
- Phu Phan Ratchaniwet Palace
Phu Phan Ratchaniwet Palace is on Phu Phan mountain range on the Sakon Nakhon-Kalasin road, 13 kilometres from the district office. It is the residence of Their Majesties when they visit the Northeast.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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