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Tham Pu Ta Lo

The cave is in Ban Wang Sawap, 17 kilometres from downtown Amphoe Phu Pha Man. Cars can access to the cave entrance only in the dry season, from November to April. The cave has a spacious chamber, covering over a one rai area. With flat soil ground and 5-7 metre high ceiling, good ventilation allows visitors to enjoy admiring the cave comfortably. Stalagmites and stalactites remain untouched. Some glittering stones look like rock crystals.
 

Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon

 

This nine-storey stupa can be found within the grounds of the Nong Waeng temple, a royal temple. The stupa houses relics of the Lord Buddha and important Buddhist scriptures. The stupa is ornately decorated with carvings and wall murals depicting the life of the Buddha as well as the history of the town

Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park

Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park is in Ban Dong Lan, Tambon Pha Nok Khao, 123 kilometres from Khon Kaen on the Khon Kaen-Chum Phae road by Highway No. 12 and 201. A 4-kilometre road on the right then takes you to the park. Tham Pha Phuang is a huge limestone cave. Inside, is a large chimney-shaped rock and lovely stalagmites and stalactites.

Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Phan Kham

is located on the hillside of Phu Phan Kham Mountain. The temple has a white gigantic Buddha image called Luangpho Yai or Luangpho Khao, of 14 m in height. The Lord Buddha’s footprint can be found in a nearby area. The flight of 1,049 stairs leads the way up to the temple’s front. The temple overlooks beautiful views.

Bang Saen II and Hat Chom Thong

The beaches are in Ban Hin Phoeng, Tambon Tha Ruea, 53 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. As part of the lake over Ubolratana Dam, the beaches are quite picturesque particularly when the sun sets behind the mountain ranges. There are various water sports available such as water bicycle, banana boat, and scooter. Visitors can enjoy fish a menu of freshly caught from the lake. During the holidays, the beaches are always quite lively.

Pillar Shrine

The sacred shrine is located in front of Sala Suk Chai, , on Thepharak Road in the compound of the Khon Kaen Municipality Office. A famous monk and former governor of Khon Kaen placed a stone inscription from an ancient site in Amphoe Chum Phae here for a Buddhism rite and set up the city pillar shrine.

Khon Kaen

KhonKaen.com, the online resource for the city and province of Khon Kaen, including the Northeast region of Thailand. Khon Kaen is the commerce and political center of Northeastern Thailand, and is well known for the silk that is manufactured in the area. Khon Kaen is the home of tennis sensation Khun Paradorn Srichaphan. The province is also home of Thailand's First Olympic Gold Medallist, the 1996 bantam weight Khun Somluck Kamsing. Located in the heart of northeast region of Thailand (Isaan), this community was experiencing one of the fastest growth rates in Thailand until the baht was devalued in 1997. In the last several years, construction has restarted within the city, including the widening of Mitaprahp Road on the West side of Khon Kaen (Highway 2 Bangkok-Nong Khai). The present population of the city is around 150,000. The government had endorsed Khon Kaen as the export center for trade into the Indo-China Region, but politics may play a role in preventing this. Laos and Vietnam have located consulate offices in the city to process visa applications. The city also hosts the largest university in the North East, Khon Kaen University.

Phu Faek Forest Park Dinosaur Footprints

is located at Mu 6, Ban Nam Kham, Tambon Phu Laen Chang, with alternate mountainous and hilly topography covered with a deciduous dipterocarp forest featuring various kinds of flora such as Makha Mong (Afzelia xylocarpa), Teng (Shorea optusa), Rang (Shorea siamensis) and rosewood; and it is easy to spot some wild animals such as squirrels, tree shrews, civets and hares.

In November 1996, two girls were having lunch there with their parents and they noticed strange footprints in the middle of a rock terrace of Huai Ngao Du, at Phu Faek foothill, Phu Phan mountain range. They later informed geologists who came to survey the site. There, they discovered seven footprints of meat-eating dinosaurs, assumed to live there around 140 million years ago. At present, there are only 4 footprints that can be seen clearly.

To get there: From Mueang district, take Highway No. 213 to Somdet district. Upon reaching Somdet district, turn right into Highway 2042 leading to Kuchinarai for 20 kilometres until you reach Huai Phueng. Turn left toward Na Khu along Highway No. 2101 for 10 kilometres, then turn left into Phu Faek Forest Park for 4.7 kilometres

Mueang Fa Daet Song Yang

is situated in Ban Sema, Tambon Nong Paeng. It is 19 kilometres from the city. Take Highway No. 214 (Kalasin – Roi Et) for 13 kilometres until reaching Kamalasai district, then turn right along Highway No. 2367 for 6 kilometres, turn right again for 400 metres to reach Fa Daet Song Yang. The town is sometimes called Fa Daet Sung Yang, or some people call it Mueang Sema due to its geographical look that resembles Sema - a boundary stone. It is an ancient town surrounded by earthen mounds with the length of about 5 kilometres. The moat sits in the middle of the two earthen mounds. From archaeological findings, it was found that the town had been inhabited since the pre-history period. During the 8th - 10th Century, or the Dvaravati period, the city became more developed. Evidence for its civilization are religious ruins in and around the city such as a large number of sandstone boundary markers with bas-reliefs depicting the Jataka stories and life of the Lord Buddha. Some of these have been kept at Wat Pho Chai Semaram in the city; and some of them remain in situ. Some of them are showcased at Khon Kaen National Museum. Aside from that, there are ancient ruins scattered in and around the city such as Phrathat Yakhu and groups of chedis at Non Wat Sung, Non Fa Yat and Non Fa Daet. On 27 September, 1936, the Fine Arts Department registered Fa Daet Song Yang as an ancient monument.

Phutthasathan Phu Sing

is located on top of Phu Sing, about 34 kilometres from Mueang district, on Highway No. 227. There are two ways to reach Phutthasathan Phu Sing: either by driving along a paved and curved road in the west, or ascending more than 400 steps in the east to reach the top. The hill is where Phra Phrom Phumi Palo is located. It is a large image in the subduing Mara posture that is 10.5 metres wide and is clearly visible from below. The surrounding area is shady and offers a lovely panoramic view

Phu Thai Khok Kong Cultural Village

located in Tambon Kut Wa, is a small village situated at the hillside and inhabited by a large number of Phu Thai ethnic group. It was selected to be a pioneering village for cultural tourism. Visitors can experience homestay and cultural activities such as ‘Baisi Su Khwan’ – a spirit warming ceremony - or ‘Yao’ – a healing ceremony for patients, as well as ‘Pha Laeng’ – a local style dinner, cultural performances and trekking to learn of local plants and herbs. One can also take a trip to Namtok Tat Sung – Tat Yao along the nature trails in Phu Pha Wua Forest Park, Phu Si Than Wildlife Sanctuary. Interested person can get more details at Tel. 0 4385 1225. To get there: From Kuchinarai, take Highway No. 2042 for 12 kilometres until you reach Ban Na Khrai, then turn left and drive further for 3 kilometres.

Kalasin Museum

Located at the former city hall of Kalasin, the museum was established by Mr. Chairat Mapraneet, Governor of Kalasin province, with an aim to show the collections of good things in Kalasin. The museum features a lecture room, governor’s room, religious room, room to honour H.M. the Queen, room showcasing ways of life of the Phu Thai people, Wichit Phrae Wa room, handicraft room, room for demonstration of Phrae Wa silk, and sales of souvenirs. The museum is open every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Phutthasathan Phu Po

It is located in the compound of Wat In Prathan Phon, Tambon Phu Po, approximately 28 kilometres from Kalasin province. Travel along Highway No. 213 and then at approximately Km. 59, turn left to Ban Chot – Ban Na Chan – Na Khok Khwai for 16 kilometres. The site is where two ancient reclining Buddha images of the Dvaravati period carved on the cliff can be seen. They are the sacred images highly revered by the people of Kalasin and nearby provinces. The first image is at the foothill and the second one is on Phu Po. Apart from storing sacred Buddha images, Phu Po also features beautiful nature perfect for rest and relaxation. There is an annual ceremony to celebrate the reclining Buddha images in April every year.

Wat Klang

It is located near Phraya Chaisunthon Monument. Wat Klang is a third-class royal temple. Within the temple’s compound, there is an Ubosot building, which was an extension from the old building. The Thai-style Ubosot is decorated with ‘Chofa’ (gable finial) and ‘Bai Raka’ (crockets). The wooden doors are carved telling the life of the Lord Buddha; while the windows tell the Jataka stories. There are stucco door guardians in the front and at the back. The Ubosot houses murals depicting the story of the Vessantara Jataka. Inside a pavilion or Sala near the Ubosot building is a black Buddha image, made from bronze with a lap of 20-inches wide. It is a beautiful Buddha image. The pedestal of the image bears an inscription in ancient Thai language stating that the image was built during the period of King Khu Na Kham. Phraya Chaisunthon took it to be the provincial image, which became highly revered by the local people. In any drought season, the local people would take the Buddha image in a procession to beg for rain.
Apart from the black Buddha image, Wat Klang also has a Buddha footprint, which is 20-inch wide and 80-inch long, made from laterite. It is believed to have been built during the Lawa period. Formerly, it was located on the bank of Lam Pao – the Pao River, near Kaeng Samrong. Later on, the bank of the river gradually collapsed, so the local people decided to relocate it to this temple.

Wat Phutthanimit(Phu Khao)

is located at Ban Na Si Nuan, about 7 kilometres from Sahatsakhan and 4 kilometres from Phu Sing. It houses a rock relief of an ancient reclining Buddha image leaning on his left side, which is about 2 metres long and 25 centimetres wide. The Buddha image is highly revered by the local people. According to legend, Moggallana, a chief disciple of the Lord Buddha created this image over 2,000 years ago. Every year in April, there will be a bathing ceremony to celebrate the Buddha image. Also, the temple has an open wooden Ubosot, of which the windows, doors and ceilings are beautifully carved in 3 dimensions depicting the life of the Lord Buddha and Jataka stories. There is also Wihan Sangkhanimit which houses rare Buddha images and amulets. The temple is open for interested visitors every day.

 

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Wat Si Bun Rueang

or Wat Nuea (วัดเหนือ) The ancient temple is situated in Mueang district. The temple stores a number of crafted boundary stones from Fa Daet Song Yang Ancient City. The stones are located around the Ubosot building. One of the most beautiful boundary stones, which are of the Dvaravati art, is the one that depicts flying angels over a Prasat or palace represented by double arches, with the king, queen and their sons at the bottom.
Located near the Jong Soung Temple

Kalasin Thailand

 Kalasin (Thai: กาฬสินธุ์) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani
 Archeological excavations showed that the Lawa tribe already lived in the area in prehistoric times 1600 years ago. However, the first town was founded in 1793.
During the thesaphiban reforms at the beginning of the 20th century the town (Mueang) was converted into a province. In 1932 the province was abolished and included into Maha Sarakham,^[1] and was recreated in 

Pa Hin Ngam National Park

Pa Hin Ngam (Thai: ป่าหินงาม) is a National Park in Chaiyaphum province in Thailand. The name Hin Ngam means beautiful stone, where Pa means forest.In 1985, the Tep Satit ForestryDepartment first surveyed the area, long popular with the locals, and recommended its protection. In October 1986, the Pa Hin Ngam Park was created, covering 10 km² around the strange rock formations which gave the park its name. In 1993, the Forestry Department of Thailand conducted a more thorough survey including the surrounding area, and recommended that it become a national park. The national park covering 112 km² was created on September 19, 1994, which was officially gazetted in 2007.^[1]The park is located at the boundary of the Phetchabun mountain range with the Khorat Plateau. The steep cliff at the 846 m high Sut Phan Din viewpoint allows a great view into a valley of the Sonthi River and the Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary. The name Sut Phan Din (สุดแผ่นดิน) means end of land, reflecting the steepness of the cliff. This cliff also marks the watershed between the Chao Phraya and the Mekong rivers.Near the viewpoint is one of the fields of the Siam Tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia), called Dok Kra Jiao (ดอกกระเจียว) in Thai. The dipterocarp forests bloom with the purple flowers at the beginning of the raining season in July.The park got its name from the strange rock formations in the Hin Ngam Rock Ground, located at the western end of the park. Erosion has carved several large rocks into striking and unusual shapes.

Tham Kaeo

is located within the compound of Wat Tham Kaeo. The cave is similar to a hall deep inside the mountain with the chilliness and humidity throughout the year. Electricity is utilised inside. From the entrance, there is a path leading to the lower ground where a Buddha image is enshrined. Also, the stalactites on the wall create a dazzling reflection of light.
To get there: From Phakdi Chumphon District, take Highway 2359 for 9 kilometres to the north. At Ban Sap Charoen, turn left and go further for 5 kilometres.

Chairman of Thailand’s SEC resigns

Chairman of Thailand’s SEC resigns

By Tim Johnston in Bangkok
Published: June 3 2011 15:26 | Last updated: June 3 2011 15:26

The chairman of Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission has resigned after being caught up in an insider trading investigation.
The board formally accepted Vijit Supinit’s resignation on Friday, after he came under increasing pressure to leave, culminating in 300 of Thailand’s SEC staff arriving at work on Thursday wearing black to mourn the reputation of the agency
Mr Vijit, 69, had become embroiled in a murky shareholder attempt to drive management changes at Thoresen Thai Agencies, Thailand’s largest dry-bulk carrier, which has a market capitalisation of Bt15.2bn ($500m).

He has denied any wrongdoing, but has not made any public statements regarding his resignation and the Financial Times was unable to reach him for comment on Friday.
Mr Vijit, a controversial former governor of the Bank of Thailand and head of the Bangkok stock exchange, met Chandchutha Chandratat, the head of TTA, two weeks ago, apparently as part of an attempt to restructure the company’s board.
Mr Chandchutha says Mr Vijit approached him saying that he represented a group of investors who controlled 30 per cent of the company’s listed stock who were demanding the company call an extraordinary general meeting to replace a number of directors and senior executives.
Bee Taechaubol, one of the shareholders involved in the move, told journalists on Thursday that Mr Vijit had no financial stake in the change.
“Vijit just played an intermediary role,” Mr Bee said. “He did the right thing as an intermediary, to protect minor shareholders.”
Mr Vijit’s role as SEC chairman started to look untenable after Korn Chatikavanij, the finance minister, called an investigation into the dispute, pointing out that under Thai securities law, beneficial shareholdings of more than 5 per cent have to be registered with the SEC and shareholdings of 25 per cent or more trigger a formal bid.
“This reflects the erosion in moral values. It’s hard to understand how something like this could have happened,” Mr Korn said.
The markets took the events in their stride, with the SET index falling just 1.6 per cent in the past two days, in line with other regional indices. Foreign brokers said that the change at the top of the SEC had caused barely a ripple among foreign investors, who had low expectations of Thai governance standards.
The SEC is also investigating 75 TTA shareholders for potential insider trading, although it is unclear whether Mr Vijit is among them, and illegal nominee shareholdings.
Mr Vijit, who was due to step down on July 13, has been involved in controversy before. He resigned the governorship of the Bank of Thailand after coming under fire for the bank’s oversight of the Bangkok Bank of Commerce, which collapsed in 1996 after executives embezzled billions of baht and extended numerous unsecured loans.
Mr Vijit was cleared of any wrongdoing and in 2003 became the head of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, a post he held until 2007.

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Bueng Waeng

is a swamp in front of Khon Sawan District Office, covering an area of approximately 350 rai with a path around the swamp. It was declared a non-hunting area due to the migration of thousands of teals during winter from November to April. At dusk, the teals usually fly as a flock covering the sky, creating the splendid contrast of colours between the flock and the beam of sunset. High bird observatory towers stand around the swamp which is very suitable for relaxation.
To get there: Take Highway No. 202 (Chaiyaphum – Bua Yai) to Ban Lat Yai. Turn left into Highway No. 2054 to Khon Sawan District. The total distance from the centre of the town is 38 kilometres. Otherwise, take Highway No. 201 (Chaiyaphum – Kaeng Khro) for approximately 30 kilometres and turn right to Khon Sawan District for 14 kilometres.

Non Salao Khit Cloth Weaving Village

is situated at Mu 6, Nong Tum Sub-district. It is the biggest source of Khit cloth weaving in Chaiyaphum. The locals of Non Salao have passed on the process of Khit weaving from their ancestors. Nearly every house uses their own hand-made fabric. A group of housewives was established in 1978 and has developed the patterns and colours of their products to respond to the market’s demand. Products offered are Mudmee cotton, Khit silk, shawls, tablecloths, fabric bags, and Khit pillows.
To get there: From Phu Khiao District, take Highway No. 2037, a similar way to Kaset Sombun for 8 kilometres. Turn right and continue further for 3 kilometres.