Situated in the heart of
Northeastern Thailand, the small province of
Maha Sarakham is considered to be a regional
education centre, earning the name "Taksila of Isan"
(Taksila was a city where education of all branches
centered around in ancient India). The province also
houses a sacred Buddha image and has many historical
sites, with the province being the former site of
the ancient Dvaravati city of Nakhon Champa Si. Maha
Sarakham's beautiful hand woven silk and cotton
fabrics are sought after for their original
patterns.
Maha Sarakham is
470 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of
approximately 5,291 square kilometres. The province
is divided into the following districts: Muang,
Kantharawichai, Kosum Phisai, Wapi Pathum, Borabue,
Phayakkhaphum Phisai, Na Chueak, Chiang Yuen, Na
Dun, Kae Dam,Yang Si Surat, Kut Rang and
Chuen Chom.
Chi Long Forest
Park
Chi Long Forest Park is
at Ban Wang Wa, 10 kilometres from town on the way
to Kosum Phisai. The park is on an island that was
formed by a course divergence of the Mun River, a
main waterway of the Northeast. The island is
covered with shady rubber trees and a road circling
it makes sightseeing most enjoyable.
Isan Arts and Culture Centre
Isan Arts and Culture
Centre is in Maha Sarakham Rajabhat Institute. The
centre has exhibits on the origin of Isan art, Isan
literature on dried palm leaves and handicrafts such
as weaving and fabric designs.
Isan Arts and Culture Research Institute
Isan Arts and Culture
Research Instituteis in Maha
Sarakham University. The institute has exhibits on
Isan arts and culture. Of particular interest are
displays on the origin of weaving, the development
of local fabrics, basketry and woodwork, metalwork,
the development of pottery, household items, animal
traps and related tools, musical equipment,
literature, ancient language inscriptions, and
contemporary art of students, as well as various
media on regional arts and culture for sale.
Kantharawichai
Phra Yuen
Mongkhon and Phra Ming Mueang
Phra Yuen Mongkhon
and Phra Ming Mueang Buddha images are the most
important Buddha images of the province. They
are at Tambon Khan Than Rat on Highway No. 213,
about 14 kilometres from town. The images are in
the Dvaravati style and are made of red
sandstone. It is believed that they can make
rainfall in the rainy season. Legend says a man
built the Ming Mueang image, while a woman built
the Yun Mongkhon image.
Kosum Phisai
Ban Nong
Khuean Chang
Ban Nong Khuean
Chang is at Mu 7, Tambon Ban Song Khon. This
village is renowned for making quality silk and
cotton materials. It is 12 kilometres from town
on the Maha Sarakham-Kosum Phisai Road. Turn
left at the 12-km marker onto Highway No. 1027
and drive for 2 kilometres.
Ban Phaeng
Ban Phaeng
village is famous for making reed mats. It is 38
kilometres from town (Highway No. 208). The mats
are local products that are used widely in
Thailand. The village does extensive reed
farming and has set up a reed-mat-making
co-operative to demonstrate the process of
making mats and sell them at very affordable
prices.
Kosamphi Forest Park
Kosamphi Forest Park
is at Tambon Hua Khwang. This park is mainly a
forest area on the Mun riverbank that is very
popular with locals.
To get there, take Road No. 208 for 28
kilometres and 500 metres from Kosum Phisai. The
park is home to numerous monkeys that are always
asking for food from tourists.
Na Chueak
Pa Dun
Lamphan
Dun Lamphan Forest
is a damp forest where rare plant and animal
species can be found, such as the Lam Phan plant
and Thun Kramom or Paeng crab which is orange,
purple, yellow, and white. The forest is 56
kilometres from town.
Na Dun
Ban Isan Museum
Ban Isan Museum is
another interesting place that shows the way of
life of the Isan people. It is located a short
way from Phra That Na Dun. The museum is a
research project of Maha Sarakham University. It
comprises model houses of the various tribes in
the region and there are exhibitions displaying
household items.
Ku Santarat
Ku Santarat is on
the way to Na Dun. To get there, take Highway
No. 2040 past Kae Dam and Wapi Pathum, then turn
right onto Road No. 2045 and drive for 1
kilometre. The site is a stone sanctuary built
in the reign of King Jayavoraman VII. This
Bayon-style building was completed during
1157-1207. This square laterite structure is
similar to Ku Maha That. The front doorway has a
remarkably beautiful lintel.
Phra That Na Dun
Phra That Na Dun, or
the Buddha Monthon of Isan, is the area where
historical and archaeological findings that
proved the magnificence of the ancient city of
Champa Si were made. Artefacts found here are
now on display at the Khon Kaen National Museum.
The most important piece is the stupa (pagoda)
encasing the holy relics of Lord Buddha in gold,
silver and bronze caskets. The site was from the
Dvaravati period of the 8th-10th
century. This model for Phra That Na Dun comes
alive every Makha Bucha Day.
