Thailand is in the Southeast of Asia, with Laos and Cambodia to the east and the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysianextto Burma (Myanmar) on its west. The capital is Bangkok, the country's official language is Thai. In touristic resorts people also speak the English language. The history of Thailand is estimated to be dating 10,000 years, up to the paleolithic era. Visitors will encounter super-rich archaeological sites of cultural heritage. The temples of worship of Buddha abound in the region, contributing to the exotic environment of the place. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that avoided colonization, thus preserving the history and cultural heritage. The ancient monuments, temples and deserted cities all attest to the magnificent past of Thailand, a wonderful destination for your holidays. The historical treasures match with the wonderful nature. Thailand has many picturesque islands and beaches as well as 90 national parks and an amazing wildlife. The Thais are renowned for their friendliness and smile .
The stupa is a sacred place for Na Kae people. Phrathat Si Khun is similar to Phrathat Phanom, but it has different details. From Amphoe That Phanom, tourists can go via Highway 212 for 7 km., turn right to Highway 223. Keep going for 20 km. to Amphoe Na Kae. The stupa is on the left.
The ordination hall houses a golden Buddha image, Phra Saen, which was built in a fine meditation posture in the Laotian style. The stupa is located in Wat That Renu, Ban Renu Nakhon. Built in 1918, the stupa is an imitation of the former Phrathat Phanom in a smaller size. Phrathat Renu, 35 metres high and 8.37 metres wide, has niches on the four sides. The stupa houses the ‘Tipitaka’ – the three divisions of the Buddhist Canon, gold and silver Buddha statues, precious items and regalia of Nakhon Phanom’s rulers and noblemen.
Phra Bang is a standing Buddha image in the gesture of stopping the flood built in the Lan Xang style. The people believe that the sacred Buddha image always attracts rain whenever the image is taken in a rain-begging parade. The history of this Buddha statue can be dated back to over 500 years ago. Tourists are required to get permission from the abbot for paying respect to the statue.
Nakhon Phanom is in the Northeastern region of Thailand, approximately 456 miles northeast of Bangkok and 235 miles southwest of Hanoi, Vietnam. It borders LAOS on the Khamoun Province or the Tha Khaek district. Nakhon Phanom was well known during the days of Vietnam war, serving the American Forces of the 56th Air Commando Wing, hosted by Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base. The mission of the American Forces were search and rescue and interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trails in Laos 30 miles to the east. The city has a beautiful landscape, with the Mekong river running adjacent to the city, marking the current border between Thailand and Laos. The population of Nakhon Phanom is a diverse mix of Thais, Thai-Vietnamese, Thai-Chinese, and perhaps a few Thai-Indians. The main languages spoken are Thai, Isaan, and Vietnamese, Isaan being the most popular of them. The primary culture is Lao, as Isaan was part of Laos until the late 19th century. Ho Chi Minh resided in a small village between the city center and the air base to the west during the late 1920s and early 1930s. A new museum has been constructed; his home is preserved and is open to the public, which draws many Vietnamese tourist. Although a small town, Nakhon Phanom is famous for its centuries old temples and beautiful landscape. The city has a reserved and traditional Isaan culture. A traveller may well find the residents of the city very hospitable and kind. The surrounding villages have many tribal cultures unique to Isaan and La
Situated at an elevation of 353 metres above sea level, the park is a beautiful place of Mukdahan. With a mountaintop flat plain that covers some 4 sq. km. area, the park was once abundant with boars. The park has 3 viewpoints by the cliff. The viewpoint 1 is situated east of the park’s office. Tourists can enjoy the scenery of Phu Tham Men, Phu Mai Sang, Phu Phaeng Ma, and Huai Khilek Reservoir. The viewpoint 2 is in the west. Tourists can see the road up to Phu Mu, Phu Noi, Phu Tio, Phu Lon, Phu Kalon, Wat Phu Dan Tae, and Phu Phan Range.
The viewpoint 3 is on the mountain crest in the south. Tourists can see Phu Tham Phra and Amphoe Loeng Nok Tha. A rock terrace and shady area for relaxing is available nearby. To get there take Highway 212 (Mukdahan - Loeng Nok Tha) and turn left at Km. 128-129. The park is 12 km off the main road via a narrow up-hill asphalted road which is not convenient for buses.
The huge rapids on the Mekong River with a large rock terrace on the bank is a favourite picnic spot for locals. In the dry season, water descents and allows islands and beaches to show off their beauty. To get there: take Highway 212 (Mukdahan - That Phanom) for 20 km, turn right to Amphoe Wan Yai for 9 km and the road leading to Kaeng Kabao will be found. It is 8 km from Wan Yai District Office.
Situated at Ban Non Yang, the 7 metres high and 30 metres wide waterfall allows visitors to enjoy watery fun all year round with a pool for swimmers. The waterfall is among shady vegetation. To get there, from Amphoe Nong Sung, take Highway 2042 and head for Amphoe Kuchinarai of Kalasin province, turn right at Km. 67-68. The fall is 400 metres off the main road.
Mukdahan has a border checkpoint that allows visitors to go to Kanthabuli of Savannakhet Province of Lao PDR. The border crossing regulations are as follows: A foreigner will require a passport and Laotian visa issued by the Embassy of Lao PDR. in Bangkok or Khon Kaen. A visa on arrival is available at the Immigration Bureau of Savannakhet with a US$30 fee.
A ferry service costs 50 baht. An entry fee to Laotian soil is 50 baht each for weekdays and 100 baht each for weekends. Tourists will be required to show their belongings for a Customs check. Allowed imported duty-free merchandise from Lao PDR. to Thailand include: a litre of liquor in a sealed package, 200 cigarettes or not over 500 g in case of various brands. Goods imported beyond the allowance will be seized and the owner will be required to pay the excess tax before getting the merchandise back. For more information, call the Mukdahan Immigration Bureau at Tel. 0 4263 2878, 0 4261 1074. Remark: A foreigner will require a passport and visa issued by the Embassy of Lao PDR. only. Additional admission for visiting cultural attractions (Phrathat Ing Hang, Phrathat Phon, and Prasat Ruean Hin) in Savannakhet will be charged and camera usage will be under regulations.
The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge linking the Lao province of Savannakhet with northeastern Thailand's Mukdahan province officially opened Wednesday. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and Lao Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit jointly presided over the opening ceremony on Wednesday morning which was witnessed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries and diplomatic corps, according to the Thai News Agency.
The 2nd Friendship Bridge is aimed at facilitating transportation, trade, investment and tourism activities for countries in the Mekong Sub-region.
Bridge construction began on March 21, 2004. The bridge has two traffic lanes and is 12 meters wide and 1,600 meters long. It is part of the land transport development plan of the East-West economic corridor running through Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.
Previously, the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong linking the Thai province of Nong Khai and Lao capital Vientiane was opened in 1994
The park has many mountains at an elevation between 170-420 metres above sea level; namely, Phu Mak Yang, Phu Mano, Phu Prong, Phu Rang, Phu Chom Nang, Phu Mak Mi, Phu Pha Thoep, Phu Nang Hong, Phu Tham Phra, Phu Lak Se, with Phu Chom Si being the highest peak. The deciduous dipterocarp forest and mixed deciduous forest cover most part of the area, which is also the watershed of many streams; namely, Huai Ta Lueak, Huai Sing, Huai Ruea, Huai Male, Huai Chang Chon, etc. The mountain slopes are blanketed with bamboo forest. There are numerous high cliffs and rock terraces. Its attractions include: Hin Thoep Rocks (กลุ่มหินเทิบ) The formations of superimposed rocks called Hin Thoep have been eroded by rain, water, wind and sun for 120 - 95 million years. Today, these rocks appear in different forms such as a jet plane, flying saucer, Chinese pavilion, crown, crocodile and conch. Each layer of the rocks has different durability depending on the different contents of the sandstone. The upper brown layer is more durable with lots of silica and small stones. The lower layer has a paler colour with high content of carbonate, making it less durable. Lan Mutchalin (ลานมุจลินท์) Next to the group of Hin Thoep is a vast rock plateau among the embrace of dwarf deciduous dipterocarp forest featuring bushes, with its uniqueness being the community of tiny plants such as Soi Suwanna, Yat Nam Khang, Nao Duean Ha, Dao Ruam Duang and Dusita. These tiny plants that blanket the whole rock terrace, will be in full bloom between October to December of each year. From the mid of the terrace, scenery of the Mekong River can be seen. Namtok Wang Duean Ha (น้ำตกวังเดือนห้า) The small waterfall originates from many streams that run through Lan Mutchalin. Seepage from this waterfall plays a significant role in nourishing wildlife and plants in the park. The scenic landscape of the waterfall, comprising rock valley and boulders, always fascinates tourists. Pha Ut (ผาอูฐ) This cliff has a rock that looks like a camel – Ut in Thai. Pha Ut is a scenic viewpoint that allows visitors to see Phu Tham Phra, Pha Phak Wan and Pha Khi Mu. Below this cliff is the vast valley blanketed with lush forest. Thecountry’s 59th national park covers a total area of 58.9 sq km in Amphoe Mueang and Amphoe Don Tan. The park’s geography features undulating sandstone mountains that form the edge of the Phu Phan Range. Situated 4 km from the Mekong River, the range lies in the North - South direction.
Geologically, the group of Hin Thoep comprises sedimentary rock of the Sao Khua Formation, and Phu Phan Formation of the Korat Group. The formations are classified to be from the Mesozoic Era, comprising mudstone, sandstone, siltstone, and 200-metre-thick layer of conglomerate. Phu Tham Phra (ภูถ้ำพระ) The cave in this mountain houses wooden Buddha images. Legend says that this area was once a settlement of the Khmer people. Before escaping from natural disaster, the villagers kept lots of Buddha images made from silver, alloy, gold, jade, sacred plants, and wood in the cave. Now only the wooden Buddha images remain. Nearby is a beautiful waterfall called Namtok Phu Tham Phra. Pha Manao (ผามะนาว) The towering cliff has a waterfall that plunges below to feed the forest and wildlife. From the cliff top, tourists can witness a nice panoramic view of the Hin Thoep Rocks and Mekong River. At the mountain foot, tourists can enjoy a beautiful waterfall, forest, and wildlife. The cliff is named Pha Manao after lots of wild lime tree growing in the area. Tham Fa Mue Daeng (ถ้ำฝ่ามือแดง) The cave houses pre-historical paintings which archaeologists assumed are probably over 5,000 years old. This attraction is situated close to the park’s safeguard unit of Phu Pha Thoep 1 (Huai Sing), some 8 km from the park’s headquarters.
Moreover, Phu Pha Thoep has many more attractions such as Pha Ngoi and Pha Pu Chao. It can be visited in all three seasons. The rainy season is from May to September. Winter is from October to February, and Summer is from March to May. For more information, call Phu Pha Thoep National Park, Amphoe Mueang, Mukdahan province at Tel. 0 4260 1753 or the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department in Bangkok at Tel. 0 2562 0760. To get there Phu Pha Thoep is 15 km from Mukdahan city. Use the route Mukdahan - Don Tan (Highway 2034). The park is 2 km from the main road.
Located on Chayangkun Road (Mukdahan – Don Tan), the tower was built to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne. The tower has a nonagonal building of 2 storeys at its base. The first floor houses an exhibition of local tools and utensils used in daily life. The second floor is a museum that features the history of Mukdahan, antiques, old photographs, and traditional attire of the 8 ethnic minorities in the province. The sixth floor on top of the tower is the observation deck that allows visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the Mekong River and Lao PDR. The topmost sphere houses a Buddha image “Phra Nawa Ming Mongkhon Mukdahan” and 7 Buddha statues in 7 different attitudes for each day of the week. The tower is open daily from 8AM-6PM.
Phu Pha Taem (ภูผาแต้ม) The cliff houses 98 paintings of hands and symbols from the pre-historical period which may be created in the same era as Tham Fa Mue Daeng in Pha Taem National Park, Amphoe Khong Chiam, Ubon Ratchathani province. The cliff actually looks like a cave with a 60-metre-long sliding rock. The paintings are some 3-5 metres high from the ground. It requires 2 hours to visit all. Pha Makluea (ผามะเกลือ) Situated close to Phu Pha Taem, the rock terrace under the tree’s shade and cliff offers a scenic viewpoint and rest area. Phu Pha Hom (ภูผาหอม) At an elevation of 366 metres above sea level, the picturesque viewpoint of Phu Pha Taem Range offers a panoramic view to the west. Turning around, tourists will see numerous mountains such as Phu Mu, Phu Phaeng Ma, Phu Mai Sang, Phu Song, and Phu Akkharachat. It is a popular site for a sunset view and camping ground. Flower Field on Phu Wat (ลานดอกไม้บนภูวัด) By the late rainy season, the vast rock terrace is beautified by various kinds of flowers such as En A, Kradum Ngoen, and Dusita. In the past, this area was used for religious rites. The park covers areas in three provinces including Amphoe Nikhom Kham Soi and Amphoe Don Tan of Mukdahan, Amphoe Loeng Nok Tha of Yasothon, and Amphoe Chanuman and Amphoe Senangkhanikhom of Amnat Charoen. Covering a total area of 321 sq. km or some 144,375 rai, the park was established on 30 December, 1992, as the country’s 75th national park. Its lush forest has various types of natural beauty such as picturesque views from the mountaintop, amazing rocks, field of wild flowers in the late rainy season, and witness the mountaintop lotus which is called by the locals “mountain of lotus”. Overall, the park features a mountainous landscape whose ranges lie in the Northwest-Southeast direction at an average elevation between 350-450 metres above sea level. Phu Krasae is the highest peak at an elevation of 491 metres. The ranges are the origination of many streams such as Huai Thom and Huai Kan Lueang that nourish the plain around the park area. The park comprises many kinds of lush forests and huge rock terraces called ‘Dan’ in local dialect. Most areas are covered with mixed deciduous forest and dry evergreen forest, which are home to precious trees like Makha Mong (Afzelia xylocarpa Craib), monkey flower tree, blackwood, and rosewood. In the jungle, particularly the large jungle at Phu Sa Dok Bua where there are water sources, various species of wildlife can be found such as barking deer, boar, hare, monkey, colugo, porcupine, and mouse deer, as well as birds like pheasant and red junglefowl. The park is beautified by scenery and rock formation. Moreover, the political conflicts in the past also add more interest and potential to the park. Attractions in the park include:
Phu Sa Dok Bua (ภูสระดอกบัว) The 423 metre high mountain is situated on the border of three provinces. At its crest, there are 11 rock pools which are a few metres wide and never dry up. All pools are fascinating as they have lots of lotus of a small size. According to the locals, these lotuses have grown wild there since a long time ago. Thus, the mountain is called Phu Sa Dok Bua, literally meaning the mountain of lotus pools. Tourists will have to trek for one day to get there.
Phu Pha Taek (ภูผาแตก) Called by the military as “Hill 428”, the beautiful hill offers a picturesque view of the ranges in the Mukdahan National Park in the northern side.
Rock Terraces and Dwarf Deciduous Dipterocarp Forests (ลานหินและป่าเต็งรังแคระ) The rock terraces, at the sizes of 20 up to 40 rai area, can be found easily. The dwarf deciduous dipterocarp forests, which can be found with grassland, are scattered around at Phu Pha Hom, at the back of Phu Pha Daeng, Phu Bok, Phu Sa Dok Bua, Phu Hua Nak, etc.
To get there take Highway 2277 (Amphoe Loeng Nok Tha - Amphoe Don Tan). The park is located between Km. 22 - 24, 28 km from Amphoe Loeng Nok Tha and 22 km from Amphoe Don Tan. For more information, call Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park at Tel. 0 4261 9076 or the National Park.
Situated at Ban Na Muang, the park is actually a historical site. It was used as a military base during 1977 - 1983, when there was a strong conflict between the Communist Party of Thailand and the government. Today, the base is used as a historical site for tourism and occupational training for locals. The base comprises a royal pavilion of the Princess Mother, the Princess Mother’s statue, bunker, and historical building where HRH the late Princess Mother and HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana stayed overnight during their trip to visit the state officials, military officers, and people in the area. It is Thailand’s only military base that HRH the Princess Mother and HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana spent overnight.
The temple is located on Samran Chai Khong Road by the Mekong River. Its main ordination hall or Ubosot houses a concrete Buddha statue, which is considered a sacred item of Mukdahan. The Buddha statue is 2.2 metres wide and 2 metres high. History about this ancient Buddha statue remains doubtful; however, legend says that two statues were found in 1767 when Chao Kinnari was constructing Mukdahan city by the seven-topped sugar palm tree. The large statue was built from concrete while the smaller one, found underneath a Pho or Bodhi tree, was made from steel. A temple was built to house both Buddha images. One day, the smaller Buddha image disappeared and was found buried under the Pho tree where it had been found, with only the top of the statue emerging above the ground. Chao Kinnari had an altar built there and named the smaller Buddha statue “Phra Lup Lek” and the larger Buddha statue “Phrachao Ong Luang”. Both have become sacred Buddha images for Mukdahan since then.
Located at Km. 134 of Highway 212 at Ban Chai Mongkhon, Tambon Chok Chai, 4 km from Amphoe Nikhom Kham Soi, the temple houses a huge Buddha statue with a Dhammacakka - Wheel of the Doctrine - at the back, which can be noticed from a distance. Around the temple is a rock area. It is a favourite place for Buddhists to make pilgrimage and enjoy the beautiful ambience.
The shrine, which also houses the city pillar, is located on Song Nang Sathit Road in the Amphoe Mueang Municipality. Without any solid evidence about its history, it is assumed that the shrine might have been built in the same period as the city itself. The original wooden shrine was renovated and replaced by a concrete one. For the people of Mukdahan, the shrine is considered as a sacred place of the spirit that protects the city.
Situated on Samran Chai Khong Road, next to the Mukdahan Immigration Bureau, the shrine was originally built of wood and rebuilt later with concrete. Legend says that two Laotian princesses boarded a boat to Mukdahan but an accident in the river cost their lives; hence, a shrine was built by a seven-topped sugar palm tree in the same time that the Mukdahan city was constructed by Chao Kinnari. The people of Mukdahan consider this shrine another sacred place. Both the Chaomae Song Nang Phi Nong and Chaopho Chaofa Mung Mueang Shrines are twin sacred icons of the city. Every year, on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, around May, a celebration for both shrines will be held.
Kept at Wat Matchimawat (Wat Klang) close to Don Tan District Office, the one-sided bronze kettledrum is 86 cm in diameter and 90 cm long. The drum face’s features a relief of the sun with 14 rays in the centre and 4 frogs at 4 directional points around the edge. The drum, which is probably more than 3,000 years old, is a collection item for the Kha and Khmer. It was first found in 1938 at the eroded bank of the Mekong River at Ban Na Tham. It was previously kept at Wat Woen Chai Mongkhon, and now at the drum tower of Wat Matchimawat.
The temple is situated on Samran Chai Khong Road, in Mukdahan city. The ordination hall houses a bronze Buddha statue called Phra Phutthasing Song, which is 1 metre wide and 1.2 metres high. When Mukdahan was completed, Chao Kinnari took this Buddha image from Vientiane and placed at Wat Si Mongkhon Tai. Later, a new temple was built at Ban Si Bun Rueang and the image was moved to be placed here until now. During the Songkran Festival of each year, the people of Mukdahan always carry the Buddha image on a float around the town for people to bathe.
the bank of the Mekong River, the ancient temple was built by artisans from Vientiane. In 1904, a fire broke out and severely damaged the temple. The renovation was completed by 1911. The temple has interesting architecture such as a Vihara or Wihan in the Lan Xang style adorned with a stucco gate and wooden bas-relief gable. The temple houses statues of eight Buddhas carved from black ivory and Phra-ong Saen, a sacred Buddha statue of Mukdahan.
Lord Chandrasuriyawongse (เจ้าจันทรสุริยวงษ์) and his followers founded a settlement at Baan Luang Phonsim (บ้านหลวงโพนสิม) near the Thad Ing Hang Stupa (พระธาตุอิงฮัง) along the left banks of the Mekong River in Laos. Later, after some several decades, he died.
Lord Chanthakinnaree (เจ้าจันทกินรี), his son, succeeded him as ruler. Then, in B.E.2310, a huntsman crossed over the Mekong and arrived along the right side at the mouth of the stream Bang Muk (บังมุก), where he discovered a discarded realm complete with a monastery and seven sugar palms located on the nearby riverbank. He found the area much better than the territories along the left side of the Mekong, and moreover at the site of mouth of the Bang Muk was a huge abundance of fish. Thus, he headed back to report this to his ruler Lord Chanthakinnaree. Lord Chanthakinnaree led his followers across the Mekong to inspect the area and found that the area was indeed the remains of an ancient realm and in much better condition than any area along the left side of the Mekong. He thus led his people from Baan Luang Phonsim to establish a settlement along the right side of the Mekong at the mouth of the Bang Muk.
When he began to clear away the forests to make way for his resettlement of the realm, he found two Buddha images beneath a Sacred Figtree on the banks of the Mekong. The larger of the two was bricks-and-mortar, while the smaller one was made of fine iron. He had a new monastery built at once in the vicinity of the old, abandoned temple on the banks of the Mekong, and named it Wat Sri Moungkhoun (วัดศรีมุงคุณ) (cognate to Sri Mongkol (ศรีมงคล) in Central Thai, meaning Temple of Serene Auspices). He also constructed a palatial manse in the vicinity of the temple where he enshrined both Buddha images in vihara. Later, the iron Buddha image (the smaller one) appeared to mysteriously reestablish itself beneath the figtree where it had first been discovered and ultimately, after some three or four spectacles of this nature, began slowly sinking into the ground there until only the crown of the head could be seen. Thus, an alternate place of worship was built there to cover the site instead and the image itself was then named Phra Loup Lek (พระหลุบเหล็ก), or Venerable One of Ironmetal Who Shrouds Himself. Nowadays the site where Phra Loup Lek would submerge himself beneath the earth has been overtaken by the waters of the Mekong and washed away (presumably leaving only the shrine rescued and preserved at the front of the vihara at today’s Wat Sri Mongkol South (วัดศรีมงคลใต้)).
As for the mason-and-mortar Buddha image enshrined in the vihara at the Sri Mongkol Temple, the inhabitants of the realm named it Phra Chao Ong Luang (พระเจ้าองค์หลวง), or Venerable Holy One, and made it the representative image of Wat Sri Mongkol, which itself was later renamed to Wat Sri Mongkol South; this Buddha image has been associated with the settlement and realm ever since.
During the rebuilding of the realm at around midnight were reports of a transparent or translucent object glittering and bright spotted emerging from the seven sugar palms on the banks of the Mekong River; it drifted in the air above the Mekong every night until near dawn when the crystal-like object would then float back into the seven trees from whence it came. Lord Chanthakinnaree named this auspicious omen Keo Mukdahan (แก้วมุกดาหาร) or the Pearlsmouth Crystal as he had founded his realm on the banks of the Mekong right where the mouth of the stream Bang Muk (or Pearlhaven) was located, in which people had discovered pearls (muk; มุก) in clams there. However, it is important to note that mukdahan can refer to most any semiprecious stone resembling the pearl having a grey dull color, and not necessarily the pearl oyster, Meleagrina margaritifera. Lord Chanthakinnaree then also renamed the realm to Mueang Mukdahan, as from the Fourth Month of the Year of the Pig, Year 1132 of the Chulasakarat (Minor Era), [Year 2313 of the Buddhasakarat (Buddhist Era or BE)] of the Buddhist calendar. The realm of Mukdahan at this stage covered both sides of the Mekong and reached the frontierlands of the Vietnamese (including the Laotian province of Savannakhet).
In B.E.2321, during the Thonburi Period when King Taksin the Great extended his armed forces up into the area of the Mekong River, he ordered Phra Mahakasut Suek and Chao Phya Chakri to dispatch their troops along the banks of the Mekong in order to suppress and unify the lords of all the realms great and small there on both sides of the Mekong together under the reign of the Kingdom of Thonburi, declaring Lord Chanthakinnaree the Phya Chanthasrisuraja Uparaja Mandhaturaj (พระยาจันทรศรีสุราชอุปราชามันธาตุราช), the first Lord of the Realm of Mukdahan and thereby officially named the realm Mueang Mukdahan.
The city of Mukdahan was founded in 1770 by Lord Chanthakinnaree of Phonsim. It was originally administrated from Udon Thani, but in 1907 it became a district (amphoe) of Nakhon Phanom Province. On September 27, 1982 Mukdahan was upgraded to province status.
Acquiring total area of 125 rais (50 acres) in Tambon Hua Khwang, by Chi River, the park was established on October 1, 1976. The shady park is home to different big trees such as Yang, Tabaek (Lagerstroemia floribunda Jack) and Kathum (Anthocephalus chinensis (Lamk.) A. Rich.ex Walp.) whose canopies connect to each other. With natural pond and scenery, this park is home to different kinds of bird, big herd of crab-eating macaque, as well as rare golden crab-eating macaque. Attractions in the park include Kaeng Tat (แก่งตาด) Rapids in Chi River is situated at north and east of the park. Base rock acquires wide area in the river. When the river descends between November and May, shallow water allows rapids to appear. It has beautiful setting around the area. Lan Khoi (ลานข่อย) The terrain is occupied by toothbrush trees. Today, over 200 of them are bended into different shapes. Crab-eating macaque (ลิงแสม) The animals make this park their home. There are two kinds of crab-eating macaques in the park, the grey and golden macaque. How to get there From Maha Sarakham City, take highway 208 for 28 kilometres. At Kosum Phisai Intersection, get into asphalt road and keep going for 450 metres.
