| Attraction Guide : Nong Khai |
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Getting to Vientiane
Visa Foreign tourists wishing to visit Laos from Nong Khai must
apply for visas at least 3 working days in advance at Lao Embassy,
520/1-3 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, Tel: 0 2539
6667 or Lao Consulate General, 171/102-3 Prachasamoson Road,
Amphoe Mueang, Khon Kaen, Tel: 0 4324 2856-8 Fax: 0 4224 4918
Major attractions in Vientiane are temples, museums, monuments
and a morning market. Package tours cost approximately 800-1,500
baht for one-day trip and 2,000-2,600 baht for two-day trip. The
prices vary according to the number of people in a group. Details
can be obtained from tour operators in Nong Khai
Sala Kaeo KuLocated 3 km. from the town of Nong Khai on the right side of the
route to Phon Phisai. Presently, it is under the care of the Nong Khai Buddhist
Association. This place which looks like an open museum of religious statues
was created with an inspiration of Luangpu Bunluea Surirat who built it around
1978, out of his own belief that the teachings of all regions could be mixed
together. Therefore, there are Buddha images in different attitudes, Hindu gods,
Christian religious icons, as well as character figures from the Ramayana epic
and folk legends. It is open daily during 07.00 - 17.00 hrs. Admission fee is
10 Baht per person.
Tha SadetTha Sadet is the port for local people crossing the Mekong River to
Tha Duea in Laos. There is a market for Indo-Chinese and eastern European products,
as well as the provinces local goods.
Thai-Lao Friendship BridgeThai-Lao Friendship Bridge is the first international
bridge spanning the Mekong. The bridge was built jointly by the governments of
Australia, Thailand and Laos. It was opened in April 8, 1994.
Wat Pho ChaiA royal temple, located on Pho Chai Road in the Mueang Nong Khai
Municipality. Luangpho Phra Sai, a sacred Buddha image of the town which is respected
by the people of Nong Khai, is housed here. This Buddha image sitting cross-legged,
which was cast from bright yellow gold in the posture of subduing Mara, has graceful
features. Every year on the full moon day in the seventh lunar month, the people
of Nong Khai always hold a rocket merit-making fair or Bun Bang Fai to worship
Phra Sai at Wat Pho Chai.
Namtok Than ThongNamtok Than Thong is in Ban Pha Tang at Km.
74 of Highway No. 211, 11 kilometres before arriving in Sangkhom
district office and 83 kilometres from Amphoe Muang. The waterfall
is 30 metres high and falls down to the Mekong. Below is a large
pool suitable for swimming. There is water only in the rainy
season.
Namtok Than Thip
Namtok Than Thip is at Ban Tat Som in Tambon Ban Muang at Km.
97 on Highway No. 211, then take a left for 2 kilometres. This
three-level waterfall is 30 metre-high, 100 metre-high and
70 metre-high, respectively. It is at its most beautiful in
the rainy season.
Wat Hin Mak PengLocated at Ban Thai Charoen, Tambon Phra Phutthabat.
The temple compound is spacious, clean and shady with various
species of plants amidst tranquility. Its area on one side borders
the Mekong River where a scenic view can be seen. Originally,
this place was a Dharma practice place of Luangpu Thet Thetrangsi,
a famous meditation master of Isan, who initiated it as a Dharma
practice centre for Buddhist monks, nuns and pilgrims. After
his death, a Chedi was built to enshrine his remains. Inside
the temple, there is a statue of Luangpu Thet on display with
the eight requisites (the three robes, the bowl, a razor, a needle,
the girdle and a water-strainer) and his biography.
To get there : Wat Hin Mak Peng is 75 km. from town. Take Highway
211 (Nong Khai – Si Chiang Mai) and switch to Highway 2186.
The temple is on your right. |
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