I thought this weblink to a Bangkok Post article about Phu Phrabat Historical park would be of interest.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Horizons/16F ... hori01.php
The following is from the first part of the article. There is more.
Udon Thani is very a quiet town these days, a far cry from the bustling place it used to be during the Vietnam War when it served as a US air base. Today, most visitors prefer going to Nong Khai, a neighbouring province where they cross the Mekong River on their way to Laos.
However, the province is a hub of transport and agricultural products in the entire northeast region and also boasts some unique tourist attractions such as the Phu Phrabat Historical Park which could well be on its way to being declared a World Heritage site after receiving a fair rating in the first round by the Unesco committee scrutinising its candidacy.
So before the park makes the list and becomes another tourist hub, I thought it would be nice to sneak a visit.
Exploring the park can take anything from 40 minutes to a day depending how much and what you want to see.
According to park officer Somdee Aranrut, there are three trails. The first is the shortest and leads directly to major highlights. The second route passes more attractions and takes around an hour to walk, while the last route is a two-hour trek leading to every important stop to the Phu Phrabat mountain top that stands 320-350 metres above sea level.
"We have arrows clearly marking the direction to every attraction together with brief descriptions of the places. Holding this map (the park brochure) just follow the signs and I assure you won't get lost," assured the officer.
As suggested by Somdee, we took the longest route. The map, available in both Thai or English, proved quite useful indeed.
We started at eight in the morning. The forest, full of hardwood trees, was still covered in a layer of fog. The path was neatly maintained. Small signs attached to trees told us their names and utility.
Phu Phrabat is an important source of water for various streams that eventually flow into the Khong River in Nong Khai. Trees here were big: we spotted the Ormosia, Pterocarpus, Shorea and Dalbergia and plenty of native herbs.
At the first stop some 150 metres from the park information centre, we were stunned by the sight of bizarre rock formations. Boulders sat on top of each other as if they had been put there on purpose.
Later we found out there were huge moraines in the area. Some of them looked like giant mushrooms while others resembled enormous boots that grew on rocks.
Phu Phrabat Historical Park & Other Attractions
Phu Prabat national park and other places to visit..
I've been out to the park a number of times. It is indeed a wondrous place. The fact that you can walk right up close to bronze age cave paintings is amazing.. Anywhere else in the States or Europe that would be forbidden..
The park has a nice snack bar, and excellent visitor's center. If you go out to visit, I'd budget 3-4 hours minimum and during any hot weather go out early. BTW, when last I visited, I did NOT get dinged with the higher National Park Farang surcharge for entering.. It cost 40Baht, only double the regular Thai 20B.
The park itself is in generally good repair.. Clean, neat, trails well marked. I did find out however, during one visit exactly where much of the trash went.. My brother was over and decided to walk down a side-trail behind some rock formations.. He found a vast midden heap of trash that evidenlty had been collected and placed there, hopefully for further removal. That said, I must compliment the Park Rangers since there wasn't a scrap of paper or can or bottle out on the trails and it was right after the long Chinese New Year's holiday when thousands had been at the park.
Near the park is Wat Phu Prabat which has a Buddha footprint in a stupa.. Interesting to visit, but not much there.
PHU FOI LOM:
Another nice place to visit is the Phu Foi Lom Eco-Park about 60km southwest of Udorn in the hills. You can get there by heading west from Udorn out toward Nong Bua Lamphu. About 3-5 km past the airport turn-off you'll see the blue and white signs marked in Thai and English for the Phu Foi Lom Eco Park. It's a nice scenic ride through rolling hills of sugar cane plantations and small villages to get there.. Alternatively, you can ride south down Route 2 about 10km past the Khumpawapi intersection and turn west on an intermediate route which will take you to the park.
The park originally was a Thai boy scout camp but is now a really nice park up in the hills with nice views, bungalows, dorm bungalows for large groups, a nice restaurant and camping allowed. There's no charge for entry. They also have a large historical exhibit of dinosaur models that are life-sized.. A bit hokey, but when you see them through the trees and brush the almost look real..
During the rainy season there are several medium sized water falls that you can hike to.. There are over 20km of trails through the park and you can get a little trail map either from the entrance guard booth or at the information office/hq located near the park restaurant.
KHUMPAWAPI MONKEY VILLAGE:
Go south on Route 2 about 30 km and turn left (east) on the road to Khumpawapi. It's about 10km from the main road. When you get to the town stay on the main road. In the center of the town you'll see a large walled park on your left. Drive in through the gate. The park has a large troupe of monkies that have lived in the park for years.. They're fairly tame but mean if you tease them with food.. There are vendors selling bananas and peanuts for the monkies. It's a nice trip for a family or kids.. In the October time frame Khumpawapi is home to a huge dragon boat racing festival. The races last for several days.
COBRA CLUB or COBRA Village:
Go south from Udorn for about 70 Km and turn left (east) just north of the multi-lane bridge over the Nam Phong River. Drive about 10km.. You should see signs for "Cobra Club" or "Cobra Village".. The village is the home for many Cobra snake charmers that perform throughout Thailand.
UBOLRATANA Dam:
Drive south from Udorn about 75km until you see the well marked road to the UbolRat Dam on your right (west). Drive further down the road to the U-Turn and come back. Drive another 27km to the dam.. The Dam site is managed by EGAT and is a nice park to visit. There are snack vendors and a restaurant overlooking the lake. Just south of the dam location on the east side of the resevoir are a number of beach sites with jet skis, swimming, and water skiing.. To get to them you leave the dam park, drive into the village outside it (back towards RTE 2) and just inside the village limits turn right (south) on a windy road that takes you back to the edge of the resevoir. This trip is definitely a day trip..
THAM ERAWAN
Drive west from Udorn for about 120km. You'll pass through the hills and through Nong Bua Lamphu. Stay on the Loei road until you see the sign for THAM ERAWAN on your right (north) side. Drive about 8km along the road.. As you come around one hill you'll see the tall karst formation containing the Erawan cave (tham) and can see the large Buddha inside the cave mouth. The cave entrance is a long stair-climb up from the Buddhist wat at the foot of the stairs.. The cave itself is a limestone cave with stalactites/stalagmites that descends into the heart of the karst. There is an steep stair exit at the deep end of the cave which comes out on a viewing platform that overlooks the country-side.
There are usually food vendors at the wat and there is an OTOP crafts shop within the wat.
If you go on a weekend or a Thai holiday you can expect large crowds. If you go right after a weekend or holiday expect the cave to be trashed.. It is NOT a government park so cleanup is sporadic.. It is a nice place to go even in hot season as the cave is very cool.
The park has a nice snack bar, and excellent visitor's center. If you go out to visit, I'd budget 3-4 hours minimum and during any hot weather go out early. BTW, when last I visited, I did NOT get dinged with the higher National Park Farang surcharge for entering.. It cost 40Baht, only double the regular Thai 20B.
The park itself is in generally good repair.. Clean, neat, trails well marked. I did find out however, during one visit exactly where much of the trash went.. My brother was over and decided to walk down a side-trail behind some rock formations.. He found a vast midden heap of trash that evidenlty had been collected and placed there, hopefully for further removal. That said, I must compliment the Park Rangers since there wasn't a scrap of paper or can or bottle out on the trails and it was right after the long Chinese New Year's holiday when thousands had been at the park.
Near the park is Wat Phu Prabat which has a Buddha footprint in a stupa.. Interesting to visit, but not much there.
PHU FOI LOM:
Another nice place to visit is the Phu Foi Lom Eco-Park about 60km southwest of Udorn in the hills. You can get there by heading west from Udorn out toward Nong Bua Lamphu. About 3-5 km past the airport turn-off you'll see the blue and white signs marked in Thai and English for the Phu Foi Lom Eco Park. It's a nice scenic ride through rolling hills of sugar cane plantations and small villages to get there.. Alternatively, you can ride south down Route 2 about 10km past the Khumpawapi intersection and turn west on an intermediate route which will take you to the park.
The park originally was a Thai boy scout camp but is now a really nice park up in the hills with nice views, bungalows, dorm bungalows for large groups, a nice restaurant and camping allowed. There's no charge for entry. They also have a large historical exhibit of dinosaur models that are life-sized.. A bit hokey, but when you see them through the trees and brush the almost look real..
During the rainy season there are several medium sized water falls that you can hike to.. There are over 20km of trails through the park and you can get a little trail map either from the entrance guard booth or at the information office/hq located near the park restaurant.
KHUMPAWAPI MONKEY VILLAGE:
Go south on Route 2 about 30 km and turn left (east) on the road to Khumpawapi. It's about 10km from the main road. When you get to the town stay on the main road. In the center of the town you'll see a large walled park on your left. Drive in through the gate. The park has a large troupe of monkies that have lived in the park for years.. They're fairly tame but mean if you tease them with food.. There are vendors selling bananas and peanuts for the monkies. It's a nice trip for a family or kids.. In the October time frame Khumpawapi is home to a huge dragon boat racing festival. The races last for several days.
COBRA CLUB or COBRA Village:
Go south from Udorn for about 70 Km and turn left (east) just north of the multi-lane bridge over the Nam Phong River. Drive about 10km.. You should see signs for "Cobra Club" or "Cobra Village".. The village is the home for many Cobra snake charmers that perform throughout Thailand.
UBOLRATANA Dam:
Drive south from Udorn about 75km until you see the well marked road to the UbolRat Dam on your right (west). Drive further down the road to the U-Turn and come back. Drive another 27km to the dam.. The Dam site is managed by EGAT and is a nice park to visit. There are snack vendors and a restaurant overlooking the lake. Just south of the dam location on the east side of the resevoir are a number of beach sites with jet skis, swimming, and water skiing.. To get to them you leave the dam park, drive into the village outside it (back towards RTE 2) and just inside the village limits turn right (south) on a windy road that takes you back to the edge of the resevoir. This trip is definitely a day trip..
THAM ERAWAN
Drive west from Udorn for about 120km. You'll pass through the hills and through Nong Bua Lamphu. Stay on the Loei road until you see the sign for THAM ERAWAN on your right (north) side. Drive about 8km along the road.. As you come around one hill you'll see the tall karst formation containing the Erawan cave (tham) and can see the large Buddha inside the cave mouth. The cave entrance is a long stair-climb up from the Buddhist wat at the foot of the stairs.. The cave itself is a limestone cave with stalactites/stalagmites that descends into the heart of the karst. There is an steep stair exit at the deep end of the cave which comes out on a viewing platform that overlooks the country-side.
There are usually food vendors at the wat and there is an OTOP crafts shop within the wat.
If you go on a weekend or a Thai holiday you can expect large crowds. If you go right after a weekend or holiday expect the cave to be trashed.. It is NOT a government park so cleanup is sporadic.. It is a nice place to go even in hot season as the cave is very cool.
Dave
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BangkokButcher
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Isaan places to visit
Thanks for the encouragement.. I've been working over in SE Asia since 97 and have transported myself, wife, friends, and kinfolk to various places which have turned out pretty good...
Here's another one:
BAN SANG KHOM:
From Udorn drive north on Rte 2 about 55 km to the Tha Bo/Sri Chiang Mai turn-off (left going west). You'll pass through Thao Bo which is amazingly enough one of the hugest tomato producing regions (for ketchup) in the world. You'll pass through Sri Chiang Mai which has a nice river walk and a view of Vientiane across the river in Laos. You'll then follow the Mekong river through small village and past two large wats (one on left up the hill and one on the right along the river behind a white wall). Ban Sang Khom is a good 80km plus from Rte 2. It is a small village on the Mekong that has a number of backpacker guest houses. The best time to visit Sang Khom is during the dry season when the villagers set up numerous Som Dam/Gai Yang/Beer stands down on the sandbanks of the Mekong. Take your bathing suit and take charge of one of the stands which will have a nice mesh or thatched roof, bamboo mats and plenty of cheap food/beer.. This far up from Nong Khai, the Mekong is very clean and moves fast with a current of about 5-8 km per hour.. You can rent tubes, walk up the sandbank, and coast back down the river on the tubes, beer in hand.. Not too many Farang's head up this way, so expect good attention from the locals. It's a great day trip up from Udon.. I found that most of my relations hadn't ever been more than 30km from Udon and were fascinated to see the Mekong and ooohh!!! actually see another country (Laos) and all had a great time tubing..
If going all the way to Sang khom is not your cup of tea, then Nong Khai has a huge beach area right beside the friendship bridge (west side of bridge) that has the same food/beer stands plus jet skis.. I'm not sure of the cleanliness of the water by the bridge but it is 30km downstream from Vientiane, a city of 400,000..
Here's another one:
BAN SANG KHOM:
From Udorn drive north on Rte 2 about 55 km to the Tha Bo/Sri Chiang Mai turn-off (left going west). You'll pass through Thao Bo which is amazingly enough one of the hugest tomato producing regions (for ketchup) in the world. You'll pass through Sri Chiang Mai which has a nice river walk and a view of Vientiane across the river in Laos. You'll then follow the Mekong river through small village and past two large wats (one on left up the hill and one on the right along the river behind a white wall). Ban Sang Khom is a good 80km plus from Rte 2. It is a small village on the Mekong that has a number of backpacker guest houses. The best time to visit Sang Khom is during the dry season when the villagers set up numerous Som Dam/Gai Yang/Beer stands down on the sandbanks of the Mekong. Take your bathing suit and take charge of one of the stands which will have a nice mesh or thatched roof, bamboo mats and plenty of cheap food/beer.. This far up from Nong Khai, the Mekong is very clean and moves fast with a current of about 5-8 km per hour.. You can rent tubes, walk up the sandbank, and coast back down the river on the tubes, beer in hand.. Not too many Farang's head up this way, so expect good attention from the locals. It's a great day trip up from Udon.. I found that most of my relations hadn't ever been more than 30km from Udon and were fascinated to see the Mekong and ooohh!!! actually see another country (Laos) and all had a great time tubing..
If going all the way to Sang khom is not your cup of tea, then Nong Khai has a huge beach area right beside the friendship bridge (west side of bridge) that has the same food/beer stands plus jet skis.. I'm not sure of the cleanliness of the water by the bridge but it is 30km downstream from Vientiane, a city of 400,000..
Dave
Interesting stuff Dave.
By the way do you have any information on Khum Chanod? Apparently it's a small forest in the middle of nowhere, there is a story attached to this place and is said to contain spirits. It's near to Ban Dung which is about 60km's from Udon Thani. I would like to visit one day and check this place out.
By the way do you have any information on Khum Chanod? Apparently it's a small forest in the middle of nowhere, there is a story attached to this place and is said to contain spirits. It's near to Ban Dung which is about 60km's from Udon Thani. I would like to visit one day and check this place out.
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valentine
Just checked this with the Tw Lee. Apparently about4 years ago there were reports of spirits living in the trees And a local old man claimed to be able to call them up, if of course you palmed him some money.Now as we all know the police don't like anyone collecting money on their pitch, so they set a trap and discovered the old guy was draping white netting high in the trees to resemble the human form and the evening breeze was doing the rest. They promptly carted him off to the monkey house and the story was rebuked in all the papers and Tv.TITlee wrote:Interesting stuff Dave.
By the way do you have any information on Khum Chanod? Apparently it's a small forest in the middle of nowhere, there is a story attached to this place and is said to contain spirits. It's near to Ban Dung which is about 60km's from Udon Thani. I would like to visit one day and check this place out.
Re: Isaan places to visit
Dave, is that the place where they sell the "Dancing Shrimp", i.e. live shrimp in spicy sauce, apparently a local speciality? If so another route is to go via Loei and then North and then reverse your route back to Nongkai. If it's the same place and it sounds like it, I agree, well worth a visit and a good day out.FrazeeDK wrote: BAN SANG KHOM
Thanks Val.Just checked this with the Tw Lee. Apparently about4 years ago there were reports of spirits living in the trees And a local old man claimed to be able to call them up, if of course you palmed him some money.Now as we all know the police don't like anyone collecting money on their pitch, so they set a trap and discovered the old guy was draping white netting high in the trees to resemble the human form and the evening breeze was doing the rest. They promptly carted him off to the monkey house and the story was rebuked in all the papers and Tv.TIT
Oh well, that's kind of removed the mystery behind the place. I was hoping for an interesting story but I guess it's funny all the same. So it's no more than just a clump of trees in the middle of nowhere. Not really worth the bother of a trip out to see it!
There are some 'Local' drives detailed at the 'Budget' site.
http://www.budget.co.th/pdfs/worldclass_loei_eng.pdf
The document includes maps and comments on various drives e.g. Udon to Loei.
Brian
http://www.budget.co.th/pdfs/worldclass_loei_eng.pdf
The document includes maps and comments on various drives e.g. Udon to Loei.
Brian
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BangkokButcher
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Re: Isaan places to visit
It sure is John, they sell Goong Teng (sp?) in every village that I know of on the road from Nong Song Hong, all the way through to Sang Khom, I have never tried it, but I must admit seeing the live shrimp squirming away in the sauce kind of put me off, it's one of my wife's favourites by the way.yorkman wrote:Dave, is that the place where they sell the "Dancing Shrimp", i.e. live shrimp in spicy sauce, apparently a local speciality? If so another route is to go via Loei and then North and then reverse your route back to Nongkai. If it's the same place and it sounds like it, I agree, well worth a visit and a good day out.FrazeeDK wrote: BAN SANG KHOM
One thing Dave forgot to mention, is that Tha Bo is not only one of the largest tomato growing regions, but also has pretty much all of isarn's tobacco production done there also. Great indepth review by the way Dave
.If I'm at home in Tha Bo when you guys are making trips up that way, feel free to pop in, don't get many visitors around that neck of the woods
Last edited by BangkokButcher on February 20, 2006, 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A very peaceful place... no cameras allowed.lee wrote:
By the way do you have any information on Khum Chanod? Apparently it's a small forest in the middle of nowhere, there is a story attached to this place and is said to contain spirits. It's near to Ban Dung which is about 60km's from Udon Thani. I would like to visit one day and check this place out.
Apparently, this is the only place in Isaan where this particular palm tree grows, and they are very tall.
Re: Isaan places to visit
You were lucky they were only squirming Sean, half a dozen jumped out at me when I took the lid off, much to the amusement of others!BangkokButcher wrote:
It sure is John, they sell Goong Teng (sp?) in every village that I know of on the road from Nong Song Hong, all the way through to Sang Khom, I have never tried it, but I must admit seeing the live shrimp squirming away in the sauce kind of put me off, it's one of my wife's favourites by the way
Kham chanod (sp) is not worth a day trip in its own right but if it is combined with another attraction then it is worthwhile stopping off.
The entrance to the 'forest' really is quite peculiar, its is almost eerie or haunting or even magical?
You are required to remove your footwear before starting the 5 or 10 minute walk into the centre of the 'forest'. Once there - you will see some amazingly beautiful trees, all twisted and quite unique and a temple of course and 3 large bells (or cymbal type affairs) suspended on rope which toy are invited to make a wish in front of and then rub the centre of the bell. Apparently if it begins to make a sound after you begin rubbing it - your wish will come true. I think it has more to do with the laws of physics rather then mystic powers - but whatever rocks your boat huh?
There are some square fish ponds (I was told bottomless but -physics again LOL)
and in the compound there are a few foodstalls.
A remote drive and you will wonder if you are ever going to get there !
Oh and there are some souvenit stalls - many selling a VCD of the supposed strange goings on there in the past - very famous apparently !
The entrance to the 'forest' really is quite peculiar, its is almost eerie or haunting or even magical?
You are required to remove your footwear before starting the 5 or 10 minute walk into the centre of the 'forest'. Once there - you will see some amazingly beautiful trees, all twisted and quite unique and a temple of course and 3 large bells (or cymbal type affairs) suspended on rope which toy are invited to make a wish in front of and then rub the centre of the bell. Apparently if it begins to make a sound after you begin rubbing it - your wish will come true. I think it has more to do with the laws of physics rather then mystic powers - but whatever rocks your boat huh?
There are some square fish ponds (I was told bottomless but -physics again LOL)
and in the compound there are a few foodstalls.
A remote drive and you will wonder if you are ever going to get there !
Oh and there are some souvenit stalls - many selling a VCD of the supposed strange goings on there in the past - very famous apparently !
Do You Know The Way To Ban Chiang?
Very informative posts with driving directions included, guys. Will have to bookmark this thread for future visits. One thing though....no mention of Ban Chiang? Has anyone visited this historical site or is it considered a place not worthy of a visit? Noticed in a few websites that there is a national museum there but the excavation sites are closed to the public (rightfully so).
Yes it is worthy of a visit - especially as it is probrably the most famous tourist site in this area.
The museum is very good and informative (although there are LOTS of pots) and when I was there (albeit some time ago) the excavation site was open to the public and was in the form of a pit with railings around so that you can peer down into the pit and see what goes on.
Someone who has been there recently may be able to tell you if this facility is still open.
Its about an hours drive from Udon and is worthwhile to pass a few hours - even if you only do it once.
The museum is very good and informative (although there are LOTS of pots) and when I was there (albeit some time ago) the excavation site was open to the public and was in the form of a pit with railings around so that you can peer down into the pit and see what goes on.
Someone who has been there recently may be able to tell you if this facility is still open.
Its about an hours drive from Udon and is worthwhile to pass a few hours - even if you only do it once.
Another good place is called, I think, Phurua Loie, its a park fairly high up, about, I guess about 50 km beyond Loei, with waterfalls and excellent views in all directions. There are lots go camping up there in the hot season as it's a good 5 to 10C cooler.
Again a National Park, but in this case the TW said something or other to the Park Warden, so not even farang price, a carload got in free
It can be combined with a visit to a vineyard up there that produces the (in)famous Chateau Loei, although it might best be used as paintstripper IMHO
Again a National Park, but in this case the TW said something or other to the Park Warden, so not even farang price, a carload got in free
It can be combined with a visit to a vineyard up there that produces the (in)famous Chateau Loei, although it might best be used as paintstripper IMHO