Information by: TAT Nakhon Ratchasima Tourist Information Division (Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext. 2141-5) Designed & Printed by: Promotional Material Production Division, Marketing Services Department. The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice. Chaiyaphum 2009 Copyright. No commercial reprinting of this material allowed. January 2009 Free Copy Dok Krachiao (Siam Tulip) 08.00-20.00 hrs. Everyday Tourist information by fax available 24 hrs. Website: www.tourismthailand.org E-mail: [email protected] 43 Thai Silk Products of Ban Khwao Thai silk, Chaiyaphum Contents Transportation 5 Amphoe Thep Sathit 27 Attractions 7 Events and Festivals 30 Amphoe Mueang Chaiyaphum 7 Local Products and Souvenirs 31 Amphoe Nong Bua Daeng 16 Facilities in Chaiyaphum 34 Amphoe Ban Khwao 17 Accommodation 34 Amphoe Nong Bua Rawe 17 Restaurants 37 Amphoe Phakdi Chumphon 19 Interesting Activities 41 Amphoe Khon Sawan 20 Useful Calls 41 Amphoe Phu Khiao 21 Amphoe Khon San 22 52-08-068 E_002-003 new29-10_Y.indd 2-3 29/10/2009 18:29 52-08-068 E_004-043 new25_J.indd 43 25/9/2009 23:07 Thai silk, Chaiyaphum Contents Transportation 5 Amphoe Thep Sathit 27 Attractions 7 Events and Festivals 30 Amphoe Mueang Chaiyaphum 7 Local Products and Souvenirs 31 Amphoe Nong Bua Daeng 16 Facilities in Chaiyaphum 34 Amphoe Ban Khwao 17 Accommodation 34 Amphoe Nong Bua Rawe 17 Restaurants 37 Amphoe Phakdi Chumphon 19 Interesting Activities 41 Amphoe Khon Sawan 20 Useful Calls 41 Amphoe Phu Khiao 21 Amphoe Khon San 22 4 5 Chaiyaphum is a province located at the ridge of the Isan plateau in the connecting area between the Central Region and the North. It is a land of beautiful Dok Krachiao (curcuma) fields and abundant waterfalls in the rainy season. It is one of the provinces possessing a large number of forested areas in Northeast Thailand. There are major mountain ranges such as Phu Phang Hoei, Phu Laen Kha, and Phu Phaya Fo, the origin of the Chi River. Historically, Chaiyaphum is a place where many periods of civilization have overlapped one another from the Dvaravati and Khmer periods until the Laotian or Lan Chang influence. Many archaeological remains and objects were found in many areas in the province. Later, the province appeared as a border town during the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya period. After that, the town was abandoned and appeared once more in the Rattanakosin era as a destination where the Vientiane people led by their leader called Lae, immigrated to. Then he was designated as the first governor of Chaiyaphum. Chaiyaphum is approximately 330 kilometres from Bangkok, covering an area of 12,778.287 square kilometres. It consists of 16 districts; namely, Amphoe Mueang Chaiyaphum, Amphoe Ban Khwao, Amphoe Khon Sawan, Amphoe Kaset Sombun, Amphoe Nong Bua Daeng, Amphoe Chatturat, Amphoe Phu Khiao, Amphoe Bamnet Narong, Amphoe Ban Thaen, Amphoe Kaeng Khro, Amphoe Khon San, Amphoe Thep Sathit, Amphoe Nong Bua Rawe, Amphoe Phakdi Chumphon, Amphoe Noen Sa-nga and Amphoe Sap Yai. Boundary Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae) Monument North Phetchabun and Khon Kaen. South Nakhon Ratchasima. East Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima. Chaiyaphum West Phetchabun and Lop Buri. Transportation By Car: Take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road) from Bangkok to Saraburi. Turn right onto Highway No. 2 (Mittraphap Road) and turn left into Highway No. 201 at Sikhio District, passing Dan Khun Thot and Chatturat Districts into Chaiyaphum, being a total distance of 330 kilometres. 6 7 The other route is to take Phahonyothin Road from Bangkok, Distances from Amphoe Mueang Chaiyaphum to other passing Saraburi. At the Phu Khae Intersection, enter Highway districts. No. 21 to Chai Badan District. Then, take Highway No. 205, Amphoe Ban Khwao 13 km. passing Thep Sathit and Chatturat Districts into Chaiyaphum Amphoe Sap Yai 28 km. province. Amphoe Noen Sa-nga 30 km. Amphoe Nong Bua Rawe 35 km. By Bus: Amphoe Khon Sawan 38 km. Buses from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum are provided daily. It takes Amphoe Chatturat 36 km. approximately 5½ hours. For more information, please contact Amphoe Kaeng Khro 45 km. the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) at Tel. 0 2936 2852-66, Amphoe Nong Bua Daeng 49 km. Chaiyaphum Bus Terminal at Tel. 0 4481 1493, Air Chaiyaphum Amphoe Bamnet Narong 58 km. Co., Ltd. at Tel. 0 4481 1556, Nakhonchai Air Co., Ltd. at Tel. Amphoe Phu Khiao 76 km. 0 4481 1739, 0 4481 2522, Chaiyaphum Chong Charoen Co., Ltd. Amphoe Ban Thaen 92 km. at Tel. 0 4481 1780 or Fax. 0 4481 1760, Chaiyaphum Tour Co., Amphoe Phakdi Chumphon 85 km. Ltd. at Tel. 0 4481 6012 or at www.transport.co.th. Amphoe Kaset Sombun 102 km. Amphoe Thep Sathit 105 km. By Train: Amphoe Khon San 120 km. From the Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong Station), there are both rapid and express trains from Bangkok to Nong Khai provided everyday getting off at Bua Yai Station. After Attractions that, passengers can connect with a bus for a further 51 Amphoe Mueang Chaiyaphum kilometres to Chaiyaphum. For more information, please Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae) Monument (อนุสาวรีย์พระยา contact the Travel Service Centre, the State Railway of Thailand, ภักดีชุมพล (แล) is located at Sun Ratchakan Roundabout on the at Tel. 1690, 0 2220 4444, 0 2220 4334, 0 2621 8701 or at www. way to the city. The people of Chaiyaphum built the monument railway.co.th. in 1975, dedicated to the first governor of Chaiyaphum called “Chaopho Phraya Lae” by the locals. According to history, in By Plane: 1817 during the reign of King Rama II, Nai Lae, a court official Thai Airways International Co., Ltd. has no flights to Chaiyaphum of Chao Anuwong of Vientiane moved his family and followers at present. However, visitors can take a plane to Khon Khaen and crossing the Mekong River to settle at currently Ban Nam Khun, connect with a bus from Khon Kaen back to Chaiyaphum, a Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Then, this distance of 150 kilometres. For more information, please contact community moved again to Non Nam Om, Ban Chilong, 6 Tel. 1566, 0 2356 1111, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or at www. kilometres from the centre of Chaiyaphum and paid tribute to thaiairways.com. Chao Anuwong of Vientiane. Later, the community migrated again to Ban Luang, within the compound of the present Travelling from Chaiyaphum to other nearby provinces Amphoe Mueang and became a subject town of Nakhon and districts. Ratchasima and paid tribute to King Rama III, no longer under There are buses provided from the Chaiyaphum Bus Terminal to the authority of Chao Anuwong of Vientiane. The king, therefore, Bangkok, Loei, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Ratchasima, uplifted Ban Luang to become Mueang Chaiyaphum and Khon Kaen, Phetchabun-Lom Sak, Phitsanulok, Chum Phae, appointed Khun Phakdi Chumphon (Lae) as the first governor. Bua Yai, Khon Sawan, Nong Bua Daeng, Kaset Sombun, Ban Khwao, Samo Thot, Khon San, Lam Narai and Ban Phai. For In 1826, Chao Anuwong of Vientiane conducted a rebellion by more information, please contact the Chaiyaphum Bus Terminal leading an army to attack Nakhon Ratchasima. Khun Phakdi at Tel. 0 4481 1493. Chumphon together with governors of the nearby provinces led 8 9 Due to the conditions of steep and complex mountains, a slope in the south, and a long mountain ridge from Prachin Buri, passing Khao Yai, Chaiyaphum to Loei, this national park is, therefore, located in a dry area with quite high temperatures. However, the general forest condition is still perfect, comprising deciduous dipterocarp forest and dry evergreen forest. The temperature of the national park is quite cool. Important plants consist of Teng, Rang, Phluang, Krabok, Kradon, Phayom, Rak, Pradu, Makha, Yang, Kraba, Takhian, etc. The undergrowth is mostly Ya Phek (Vietnamosasa pusilla), while wildlife are barking deer, wild boars, mongooses, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, red jungle fowls, and various kinds of birds. To get there: Take Highway No. 2159 and turn right into Highway No. 2051. The distance from the centre of the town to the Office of the National Park is approximately 21 kilometres. It is an asphalt road all the way. Namtok Tat Ton Attractions within the National Park are as follows: armies to join Khunying Mo to fight against Chao Anuwong Namtok Tat Ton (น้ำ�ตกต�ดโตน) is a beautiful waterfall near the and gained victory. Chao Anuwong was vengeful and returned Office of the National Park with water flowing all year, to capture Khun Phakdi Chumphon, who was later executed particularly magnificent in the rainy season. It is 6 metres high under a tamarind tree by Pla Thao Swamp. To honour Khun and 50 metres wide. The upper part is a stream flowing pass a Phakdi Chumphon’s good deeds sacrificed to the Thai land, he stone terrace, abundant with big trees on both sides and suitable was granted the title as Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae). for relaxing, admiring the nature, as well as, swimming. Within the area of the waterfall is also the Chaopho Tat Ton Shrine Chaopho Phraya Lae Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อพญาแล) is 4 kilometres (Pu Duang Shrine). from Mueang Chaiyaphum, along the Chaiyaphum-Ban Khwao route (Highway No. 225). Turn right to Pla Thao Swamp, where To get there: From the town, take Highway No. 2159 and turn the shrine, housing the spirit of Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae), right into Highway No. 2051, being a total distance of as well as, the centre of the people of Chaiyaphum’s spirit is approximately 21 kilometres. Otherwise, take Highway No. 201, situated. Every year, a ceremony to pay respect to the shrine is the similar way to Phu Khiao District, turn left and proceed for organized during the 6th lunar month prior to Visakha Puja Day.