Nong Khai Temples

Amphoe Muang

Luang Pho Phra Chai

This bronze image of a seated Buddha is in the attitude of subduing evil. It has very fine characteristics. The lap width is 28 inches while the height from the base to the top of the finial is 41 inches. It is enshrined at Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai municipal area. This sacred Buddha image has been enshrined since the establishment of the province. The history of this image relates to many parts of Thai history but it is unclear when it was cast or who cast it. HRH Prince Damrong Rachanuphap speculated on its origin in a book called ’Histories of Important Buddha Statues’ which was published and distributed in a royal kathin ceremony in the year 1925.

Prince Damrong thought that Luang Pho Phra Sai was cast in Lan Chang Kingdom. According to legend, three princess were the persons who caused the casting. Another legend gives more derails, such as, King Chaiyachetthathirat’s princess daughters were named Serm, Suk, and Sai. They had the unanimous idea to cast their own personal Buddha images. They then asked their father for support, thus leading to the king’s command to cost three Buddha images having different sizes according to their ages, the oldest having the largest image. They were named accordingly, Phra Serm for the oldest and largest, Phra Suk for the middle sister and second largest size, and Phra Sai for the youngest and smallest image.

In the year 1776 King Tham Thewawong moved the three Buddha images to be enshrined in Vientiane. They were moved back to Thai territory again during the reign of King Rama III. However, a storm which caused the sinking of Phra Suk at the mouth of Nom Ngum River (Wern Phra Suk) did not affect the others. Phra Serm and Phra Sai were enshrined in Wat Pho Chai and Wat Ho Klong respectively. In the reign of King Rama IV, Phra Serm was moved to be enshrined in Bangkok while Phra Sai still remained in Nong Khai at Wat Pho Chai. On every full moon day of the 7th lunar month the people of Nong Khai celebrate Phro Soi by having ’Bun Bong Fai’, the rocket contest ceremony or Wat Pho Chai.
Traveling from Nong Khai township, one can go by Highway No.212 beginning at KM 2.

Phrathat Bangphuan

Originally this was an ancient pagoda long revered by Nong Khai people. The phrathat was first constructed from brick utilizing the Indian stupa design. It is about the same age of Phra Pathom Chedi (Thailand’s first pagoda in Nakhon Pathom). According to Lon Chang legend, King Chaiyachettha commanded the construction of the Phrathat to cover the original pagoda in the year 1559. It fell down in the year 1970 due to the sinking of the foundation. Now it has been completely renovated by the Fine Arts Department with the features of a square-based pagoda. The lowest five steps of the base ore square prangs adjacent to one another featuring the lotus shape. The sixth step of the base features a dome shape while the seventh step features the star with a tiered umbrella above the star. The "Supreme Patriarch has housed relics of the Lord Buddha inside.

Phrathat Bangphuan is located at Wat Phrathat Bangphuan, Tambon Don Mu, Amphoe Muang, Changwat Nong Khai. The distance from the township area is 22 kilometers. Go along Highway No.2 about 10 kilometers, then branch off via Highway No.211 (Nong Khai-Tha Bo) for another 12 kilometers. There is on homage-paying fair for Phrathat Bangphuan on the 11th waxing day of the second lunar month every year.

Amphoe Tha Bo

Luang Pho Phraehao Ongtue

This is the largest principal Buddha image of the province. It was cast by northern and Lan Chang artisans. This large Image is in the attitude of subduing evil, having a lop width of 3.29 meters with a height of 4 meter’s. It is housed in Wat Nam Mong, Nam Mong Village, Tambon Narn Mong, Amphoe Tha Bo. It is considered very sacred.

There are no reliable records as to when it was cast, though if is believed to have been cast in 1562. King Chaiyachettha, the ruler of Vientiane (who was a son of Phraya Sinsuwan, and who was born in Muang Wiang Khuk) commanded the casting for his queen, Queen Sichompho (a villager of Ban Nam Mong-or Muang Choampa), The cast was not successful until the god Indra and 108 divinities come to help. The total time spent for the casting was 7 years and 7 months with the expense of Baht400,000. There is an annual homage-paying fair on the full moon day of the 4rh lunar month every year.

To pay homage to this Phrachao Ongtue, one can go from Nong Khai township along Highway No.211 (Nong Khai-Si Chiang Mai) to Amphoe Tha Bo where a left turn is to be made at KM 31 for another distance of 2.2 kilometers. The total distance from the province township area is about 43 kilometers.

Amphoe Si Chiang Mai

Wat Hin Mak Peng

This monastery is located at Ban Phutthabat, Tambon Phra Phutthabat, Amphoe Si Chiang Mai. Phra Achan Thet Thetrangsi established this place to be utilized as a meditation practice center for monks, nuns, and the general public. The surroundings of this monastery are clean and peaceful, and it was appraised to be a ’Model of Developed Monastery’ in the year 1960. To reach this place, one can travel from the township area along Highway No.211 (Nong Khai-Si Chiang Mai), then continue the trip via Highway No.2186. One can see Wat Hin Mak Peng on the right side near KM 63. The monastery is about 83 kilometers from Nong Khai and about 20 kilometers from Amphoe Si Chiang Mai.

Amphoe Pak Khat

Wat Sawang Arom (Wat Sichod)

This monastery is located at Pak Khat , Tambon Pak Khat, approximately 500 meters from Amphoe Pak Khat township. From Amphoe Muang one can use Highway No.212 for 90 kilometers to Don Pak Khat. Wat Sawang Arom is located on a hilly area featuring rock formations, cliffs, and stone platforms with shade trees providing a peaceful atmosphere. There is also a small stream flowing by the main shrine hall. The hall is built in the shape of a bell and houses a sacred Buddha image. From the area of the main shrine hall, one may enjoy a beautiful bird’s eye view of both Thailand and the Lao PDR.

Amphoe Bung Kan

Phu Tog

This word literally means, in the northeastern dialect, a single mountain. The mountain is the location of Wat Chetirya Khiri Wihan (Wat Phu Tog). It is located in the vicinity of Ban Kham Khaen, Tambon Na Sabaeng, Amphoe Bung Kan. There are two Phu Togs: Phu Tog Yai (big) and Phu Tog Noi (small). The area was formerly an evergreen jungle containing many wild animals. Phra Achan Chuan Kulachettho established a meditation center for Buddhists.

The construction of o staircase climbing up the Phu Tog was begun during 1969. It has seven levels. It took five years to complete. The seven levels of staircase have different features. Levels 1 and 2 are the steps climbing to the 3rd level, forming a spiral bridge around the mountain. It features shady forests, with rock formations and stone platforms. When one comes to the end of the path on the 3rd level, there are two ways. The left side comprises a short cut to level 5, but it is very steep. The right side leads to level 4.

Level 4 Comprises another spiral bridge around the mountain to level 5. Looking down from the bridge one can see a short hilly area called ’Dong Chomphu’ which is bounded on the east by Phu Langka. It is located in the area of Amphoe Seka which is an evergreen forest having several flowing streams and many animals. Crows live there, thus name of Phu Pong Ka (Crows’ Nest Hill), when was later changed to Phu Langka.

This level contains residential cells for nuns. There are shady areas to protect one from sunlight and rain.
Level 5, or the middle level, is the location of the central pavilion, the monks’ cells, and the storage of Phra Achon Chuan’s body. There are several coves, such as, Tham Lek Lai, Tham Kaew, and Tham Rusi. There are also several rest areas which are large platforms.

To the north, one can see a natural stone bridge leading to the Vihara housing Lord Buddha’s relies inside. When looking outside one can see the range of Phu Tog Yai clearly.

A spiral staircase on level 6 comprises the lost stage of the spiral staircase and is 400 meters long and leads to level 7 which is a shady forest area.

Travelling to Phu Tog

Phu Tog Is situated in the area of Amphoe Bung Kan, approximately 185 kilometers from Nong Khai township along Highway No.212 or 27 kilometers from Amphoe Bung Kan via Highway No.222: this branches off from the ban Na Saeng-San Sai Ngam-Siwilai Road passing Phu Tog to Na Tong, another 20 kilometers. One can hire a small local bus going from Amphoe Bung Kan to Siwilai, and then continue the trip by a small public bus service to Phu Tog: or one can travel along High way No.212, Bung Kan-Ban Chaiyaphon, for 24 kilometers and then complete the trip to Phu Tog from Ban Chaiyaphon for the last 22 kilometers

Others

Salakaewku (Serpent Sculpture Park)

Just off the state highway 212 from Nongkhai is the garden of statues known as Sala Kaew Ku or Wat Kaek.

Reliable information about this truly extaordinary theme park is difficult to come by, but it seems to be a statement about the cycle of life as viewed by eccentric local spiritual teacher Luang Pu. As in most Thai settings the Lord Buddha is portrayed in many forms, but at Sala Keaw Ku the bizzare is presented prominently and repeatedly.

Wat Kaek has several hundred statues depicting Buddhist and Hindu tales and characters often rendered in graphic and eery fashion. The park features biaet nagas, Buddha’s, depictions of birth, death and characters out of the Ramayana and the Hindu parthcon. Luang Pu who always wore matching white trousers and shirt was curried in a Wheelbarrow by his followers in the later years of his life so he could personally supervise the statue castings and sculpture.

The statues are meant to depict moral and spiritual lessons rather than for aesthetic appeal. Nevertheless, many of the statues are breath taking. 100 foot tall Buddhas, Shivas, Vishnus with multi headed cobras entwining their limbs, a wheel of karma that you enter by walking through the mouth of a giant skull, Hanuman the monkey god and his cast of friends.