Walai Rukavej Research Institute

Located east of Phra That Na Dun, the institute makes research on conserving, improving, and distributing flora of the region. It has bamboo terrain, herbal garden, Isan Cart Museum, and Isan traditional house museum that features different kinds of house in Isan such as Phu Thai house, Isan fishery house, Isan musician house, animal traps house, doctor house, and weaver’s house.

Hat Wangko

beach on the bank of Chi River is situated in Ban Tha Duea, Tambon Nong Bon. Tourist can get there via Kosum Phisai-Tha Phra-Khon Kaen Road. With clear and shallow water, the beach is a good place for relaxing. Facilities available on the beach include, beach beds, speed boat, banana boat, jet ski, donut ski, life vest and etc.

 

Ku Mahathat

The Khmer ruins is located in Ban Khwao. Built in the 13th Century to serve as a hospital during the reign of King Chaivoraman VII, the laterite ruins was created in Bayon style in rectangular shape. With 8 metres high and 4 metres wide, the ruins houses two gods made from terra cotta, sitting legs crossed with conchs in hands. The ruin is situated in the embrace of laterite wall and it can be accessed via eastern gopura (gate) only. There is a small building located southeast of the wall. The eastern gate is the only real gate while other three are fake doors. Door frames and lintels made of sandstone. The site is already excavated and renovated by the Department of Fine Art.
How to get there: From Maha Sarakham city, sue Chaeng Sanit Road (highway 23: Maha Sarakham-Roi-Et), for 13 kilometres.

Ku Santarat

Located in Tambon Ku Santarat, the Khmer Ruins was built in Bayon style (1157 -1207 AD) during the reign of King Chaivoraman VII. Like Ku Mahathat at Ban Khwao, it is built from rectangular laterite blocks. Standing in the rectangular wall with a pool outside, the ruins has lintel and nicely carved door arch.
How to get there Use highway 2040, via Amphoe Kae Dam and Wapi Pathum, turn right into highway 2045 (head to Amphoe Na Dun) for a kilometre, the ruins will be on your right.

Phra Yuen Mongkhon Buddha

 





Housed at Wat Phuttha Mongkhon, Tambon Kanthanrat, the statue from Dvaravati is a sacred icon of Maha Sarakham. Like Phra Phuttha Ming Mueang, the stature is carved from red sandstone. Legend says people in Kanthaarawichai has built Buddha images to ask for regular rain after drought. The men has built Ming Mueang Buddha image while the women has built Phra Yuen Mongkhon Buddha Image. After the images were completed, big celebration was held and regular rain has greatly nourished this area. 

Pottery Village

The villaged is situated in Tambon Khwao, 4 kilometres from Maha Sarakham city via highway 23 (Maha Sarakham-Roi Et). The villagers here inherited ancient method of pottery from their ancestor. From water pot and cooking pots, they have diversified their products into various designs to cope with modern living style.

 

Dun Lamphan No-hunting Area

 
Situated in Amphoe Na Chueak, 60 kilometres from Maha Sarakham City, the area features two forest types namely deciduous dipterocarp forest and peat swamp forest which is nourished by stream all the time in particular spots. The area is rich in endemic and rare species for both flora and fauna. The most famous endemic species found here is Mealy Crab Thaipotamon chulabhon Naiyanetr, 1993, or Pu Thunkramom (named by HRH Princess Chulabhorn). A bit bigger than ricefield crab, this kind of crab is quite colourful in purple, orange, yellow, and white. Now, this endemic crab is enlisted as protected animals. This No-hunting area is also good for bird watching and studying the ecological system. For more information, call 08-1817-9441, 08-1799-5795.
How to get there Dun Lamphan No-hunting Area is situated on highway 219 Borabue- Na Chueak-Phayakkhaphum Phisai .

Phra That Na Dun: Buddhist Park of Isan

Located in Amphoe Na Dun, Phra That is in the area once was ancient town called Champasi. Lots of archeological artifacts, such as Buddha images and Buddha amulet, are found and now kept in Khon Kaen National Museum, Khon Kaen province. The most significant items found was the stupa housing relic of the Lord Buddha kept in gold, silver, and bronze boxes. All of such precious artifacts, probably from the 8th-10th Century in Dhavaravadi era, were found inside a mini-size stupa. Thus, the government decided to set up Phra That Na Dun on 365-acre area in 1982 to be Buddhist Centre of the region. With the height of 50 metres, Phra That or stupa which houses Lord Buddha’s relic has the shape of mini-stupa found. Around the stupa are museum exhibiting Champasi culture, antique, art pieces, and information of Champasi ancient town, park and herb garden.
How to get there From Maha Sarakham City, use highway 2040 via Amphoe Kae Dam and Wapi Pathum, turn right into highway 2045 to Amphoe Na Dun. Prathat is 65 kms from Maha Sarakham City

Mahasarakham University

 The historical development of Mahasarakham University, or MSU, may be traced back to March 27, 1968, when it was originally established as the College of Education, Mahasarakham, for the purpose of extending higher education to the nation’s Northeastern region. Situated in an outer area north of Maha Sarakham, a small town right at the center of the region, the college functioned to produce quality teachers to serve educational institutions of all levels. The college’s status was later elevated when it became a regional campus of Srinakharinwirot University in 1974. At that time there were four faculties: Education, Humanities, Social Sciences and Science. The university finally gained independent status and became Mahasarakham University, Thailand’s 22nd government university, on December 9, 1994, when the University Act was graciously authorized by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and published in the Royal Gazette.

City Shrine

Located in front of Lak Mueang Maha Sarakham School, the shrine was built since 1865 by Thao Mahachai, the first ruler of Maha Sarakham who has moved from Roi-Et to build new city here. The city shrine was built as a sacred icon of the city where Maha Sarakham people pay lot of respect

Phra Buddha Ming Mueang or Suwan Mali Buddha

Located at Wat Suwannawat, Tambon Khok Phra, the red sandstone Buddha image from Dvaravati period is a sacred icon for Maha Sarakham people

 

Maha Sarakham

Maha Sarakham is the capital city of Maha Sarakham Province in Thailand's Northeastern (Isan) region. Sarakham, as it is known to its inhabitants, is located in a rice-growing area on the southern Korat plain, straddling the Chi River.

The city has long been known as a regional education centre, the so-called Taksila of Isan (taking this name from the ancient Hindu centre of learning). It is home to six colleges, as well as Maha Sarakham University (MSU) and Maha Sarakham Rajabhat University. Sarakham has the feel of a student town with the younger, more cosmopolitan population much in evidence in the downtown campus area and near MSU’s second campus a few miles away at Kamlieng.

For a time Maha Sarakham ranked with Si Siket as among the poorest cities in Isan. This is changing, partly under the influence of the rapidly growing student population. Today Maha Sarakham possesses two cinemas, a modern department store and market, and branches of the Tesco Lotus and Big C supermarkets. There has been extensive building development, especially on the eastern fringes of the city. Nevertheless Sarakham remains a place where bicycle rickshaws take the place of taxis, and where visitors can still observe many aspects of life in a traditional mid-Isan town.

There are a number of important temples and religious sites in the province, notably at nearby Kantharawichai District and at Na Dun District to the south. The city and surrounding area contain a number of attractive parks. Maha Sarakham city has no railway station or airport, and the main transport links are via express bus, or by road connections to the airports in Khon Kaen and Roi Et. Recently the road link south was upgraded and is now mainly dual carriageway highway.

The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Hueang River

is situated at Ban Na Kraseng. It is a bridge crossing the Hueang River and connecting between Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. From this bridge, visitors can pass through Chaiya Buri to the World Heritage Town of Luang Phrabang, a distance of 363 kilometres. Otherwise, visitors can cross the bridge to travel and purchase duty-free products at the shops on the Lao PDR side. To get there: Take the Loei – Tha Li route, a distance of 47 kilometres. At the centre of the district, turn right for approximately 2 kilometres to Phrathat Satcha and turn right for approximately 7 kilometres.

Crossing the Border at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Heung River, please contact the Tha Li District Office at Tel. 0 4288 9359 and the Tha Li Immigration Checkpoint at Tel. 0 4288 9208.

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit

In Thailand, the 12th August is declared a very special Public Holiday as the wholeNation celebrates the birthday of Somdej Phra
Nangchao Sirikit Phra Boromahajininat (Her Majesty Queen Sirikit). Like His Majesty the King,Queen Sirikit is immensely respected and deeplyloved by the people of Thailand. Her Birthday,
like the King’s, is a national holiday, and isofficially called Mothers Day. Her Majesty QueenSirikit was born on August 12th, 1932. She was the first daughter of Colonel Mom Chao
Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara, a relative and close supporter of the Royal Family, and of her mother Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara (nee Mo Luang Bua Snidwongse). Her Majesty was named Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara meaning “The Illustrious Member of Kitiyakara”.
This name was given by her relative, His Majesty King Prajadipok (Rama VII). Her grandfather was HRH Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana, Prince  of Chandaburi and son of King Rama V, and elder half-brother of HRH Prince Mahidol of Songkla, His Majesty the King Bhumibol’s father.Mom Rajawongse Sirikit’s father was a
member of the Thai Diplomatic Corps, and was successively Thai Ambassador to France,
Denmark and the United Kingdom; Mom Rajawongse Sirikit continued her education in
these countries and in Switzerland. While studying in Switzerland, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit
met His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was also studying in Switzerland. King Bhumibol
was her first cousin, once removed. When the King was injured in a motor accident and was
hospitalized at Lausanne, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit, accompanied by her mother, was a frequent visitor. This she did on a regular basis and during the King’s recovery and convalescence the friendship blossomed into a
committed royal love affair. Read more on page 2 (COMSERV) projects to further the relationship
between the U.S. Navy and Thailand. Sailors had an opportunity to experience Thai culture
through numerous tours offered by the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programme. “It’s exciting to see how many sailors signed up to volunteer their free time ashore helping others,” said Cmdr. Brian Haley, a chaplain aboard George Washington. “You’d think with being at sea for so long, they’d want to
relax but they were actually more interested in helping people and making a difference.” Read more on  Pattaya People

ยิ่งลักษณ์นำครม. เข้าเฝ้าถวายพระพรราชินี

 











นางสาวยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร นายกรัฐมนตรีนำคณะรัฐมนตรีผู้ บัญชาการเหล่าทัพ ข้าราชการ เอกอัครราชทูตลงนามถวายพระพร สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์พระบรมราชินีนาถ
 
นางสาวยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร นายกรัฐมนตรี นำคณะรัฐมนตรี ผู้บัญชาการเหล่าทัพ ข้าราชการ เอกอัครราชทูต เดินทางมายังพระตำหนักสวนจิตรลดาเพื่อลงนามถวายพระพร สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์พระบรมราชินีนาถ เนื่องในโอกาสมหามงคลเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา 79 พรรษา 12 สิงหาคม 2554
 
ในการนี้สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าฯ พระบรมราชินีนาถ มีพระราชดำรัสตอบคณะบุคคลต่างๆ ที่เข้าเฝ้าฯถวายพระพรชัยมงคล ใจความตอนหนึ่งว่า
 
“ขอขอบคุณสำหรับคำอวยพร จากทุกภาคส่วน รู้สึกซาบซึ่งในน้ำใจไมตรีเป็นอย่างยิ่ง”
        
และทรงมีพระราชดำรัสถึงพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว ด้วยว่า พระองค์ทรงสบายขึ้นมากแล้ว แต่แพทย์ยังคงแนะนำให้ทำกายภาพบำบัด เพื่อให้แข็งแรงทรงงานได้เพิ่มขึ้น อีกทั้งยังทรงติดตามโครงการต่างๆ และทรงห่วงใยถึงสถานการณ์ฝนตกน้ำท่วม ได้พระราชทานสิ่งของไปช่วย รวมทั้งเชิญหน่วยงานที่เกี่ยวข้องมาประชุมหาแนวทางช่วยประชาชนอย่างเต็มที่       
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Chaopho Kut Pong Shrine and the City Pillar Shrine

 



located approximately 100 metres from the fountain roundabout next to the Kut Pong Public Park. It is an ancient shrine highly respected among the people. The city pillar shrine was constructed in 1982. The city pillar was made of the golden shower wood elaborately carved into a lotus shape at its top and gilded with gold leaf on black lacquer with a height of 139 centimetres.

Wat Pho Chai Na Phueng

is situated at Ban Na Phueng, Tambon Na Phueng. The temple is assumed to have been constructed during the late period of the Ayutthaya Empire. Enshrined within the abbot’s cell is the Prachao Ong Saen Buddha image, an ancient image of the town for many generations. The image is sitting cross-legged with an oval face, a flame-like spire at the top of the image’s hair, and a cloth over the image’s shoulder made of gold, silver, and copper alloy. It is assumed to be the Chiang Saen style of art. Besides, within the compound of the Wihan or locally called Aram are mural paintings of the Buddha’s biography and local literature. The north side of the mural states that the paintings were made in 1852 during the reign of King Rama IV. At the outside of this same Ubosot are paintings which were later created in 1916. It can be considered as a very precious ancient monument and object of Loei province. The Fine Arts Department registered the temple as an important national ancient monument on 1 February, 1987. To get there Take the Loei – Dan Sai route for approximately 82 kilometres, turn right into Highway No. 2113 and go further along the Dan Sai – Na Haeo route for 23 kilometres.

 

Phi Ta Khon Museum

is situated within the compound of Wat Phon Chai, 82 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. It is an educational attraction for those interested in the Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festivals. The museum’s buildings are made of wood displaying the background of Dan Sai town, Phi Ta Khon exhibition, demonstration of Phi Ta Khon mask-making and various souvenirs. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Besides, there are an Ubosot reflecting the skills of local craftsmen, as well as, a replica of Phrathat Si Song Rak where Bun Phra Wet and other merit-making festivals, including Bun Luaang Festival and Phi Ta Khon 

 

Phu Ruea High Altitude Agricultural Research Station

Phu Ruea District is an ideal location for growing exotic flora such as African violets, hydrangeas, petunias and phlox due to its cool and dry climate pattern which is hardly seen in any other northeastern province. The staff of the Research Station works with local farmers to promote new cash crops such as macadamia, strawberries, passion fruit, potted and table plants and cut flowers. In addition, the station is responsible for plant species research of species such as peaches, Chinese chestnuts, grapes, Chinese pears, macadamia nuts, strawberries, etc. The station also produces plant seeds, publicizes technology, and provides training for local farmers and concerned parties. The station is not merely a research center for educational purposes, but is also the hub for the exchange of technological knowledge and real-life experiences (local wisdom). Other responsibilities of the station include oversight of a wild-life sanctuary and welcoming visitors who come to appreciate the beauty of its ideal location and its activities. Tourist facilities include toilets, accommodations, food and beverages. Lectures complete with a demonstration of flower gardening and ornamental plant plantations are also provided. Advance booking is recommended (at least 3 weeks). Location: Tambon Pla Ba, Amphoe phu Ruea, Loei 42160, Tel. 042 – 891398, 891199

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Visas from US Consular Sections in Thailand and 171 Countries Cancelled

Rules change that may affect non-American family member’s ability to return to the United States, reports Democrats Abroad based in Bangkok.
Visas Must be processed by August 15 if applied for at US Consular Section of 172 US Embassies.

Pattaya Times - Effective August 15, 2011, most Americans will no longer be able to use the US Consular Sections in the country of residence for immigration matters, including Thailand.  The US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will require petitioners go directly to the USCIS in the United States to bring  foreign family members with the US citizen moving back to the US. (form I-130,Petition for Alien Relative). 

This USCIS regulatory change is billed as a cost-cutting measure.  Democrats Abroad is delving into this issue to find more concrete information to provide members with regard to this critical rule before it goes into effect.  Democrats Abroad has a long-standing commitment  to simplifying the path to citizenship and legal permanent residency for non-American spouses and close family members.  

Approximately 10,000 Americans living abroad would be immediately impacted by this ruling. According to Immigration lawyers http://www.pattayalawyers.com/  this process will go from weeks to quite possibly years for those Americans who reside in the 172 countries that do not have USCIS offices.  Until Aug. 15^th, petitioners will be able to submit petitions through local Consular officials—after that date, all petitions would have to be sent to the USCIS Chicago address.

For those intending to return to the US with their non-American spouses and children in the next year they should consult with a qualified US Immigration attorney before August 15^th for information on how this Rules change impacts them.

The official USCIS comment period for this change, announced in the Federal Register, ended July 18.  However, if US citizens wish to contact their US Representative or US Senator in this regard please do so.  Despite the end of the formal comment period, the main office of USCIS can also be contacted.  For more information on this issue be sure to join the Immigration Group on our website. Feel free to share this information with other Americans.

Pattaya Times