Sakon Nakhon
is in the upper Northeast. It is on the Phu Phan mountain
range and has many forest temple retreats for meditation.
These temples are also where famous monks well known in
meditation circles reside.
Sakon Nakhon is 647 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of
9,605 square kilometres. Sakon Nakhon consists of the
following districts: Muang Sakon
Nakhon, Waritchaphum, Kut Bak, Kusuman, Ban Muang, Phanna
Nikhom, Sawang Daen Din, Wanon Niwat, Phang Khon, Akat
Amnuai, Song Dao, Kham Ta Kla, Tao Ngoi, Khok Si Suphan,
Nikhom Nam Un, Charoen Sin, Phon Na Kaeo and Phu Phan.
Isan Freshwater Aquarium
This
aquarium is at the Sakon Nakhon Fishery Station on
Sai Sawang Road. The centre has on display
freshwater fish and animal species found in the
Northeast.
Namtok Pricha Suksan
This
waterfall is on Phu Phan mountain range, 17
kilometres away on the Sakon Nakhon-Udon Thani route
and 10 more kilometres on the left. The waterfall is
a rock plateau with water coming down like a slide.
It is suitable for swimming.
Nong Han
Nong
Han is a large freshwater lake with an area of 123
square kilometres. It is where many waterways
converge and is also a major agricultural and
fishery centre of the province. Nong Han’s
shorefront has been developed into a public park. In
addition, there is Sa Phang Thong, an ancient pool
believed to have been constructed at the same time
as Phra That Choeng Chum.
Phra Archan Man Phurithatto Museum
This
museum is opposite the Provincial Government Centre
on Suk Kasem Road in Wat Pa Sutthawat. The museum is
built of fired clay tiles. On display are a wax
figure of Phra Achan Man who was a famous monk, his
personal items and his biography.
Phra That Choeng Chum
Phra
That Choeng Chum is an historical site that has
always been with Sakon Nakhon. This plaster-covered
brick pagoda has a square base and is 24 metres
high. The chapel houses the holy Luang Pho Ong Saen.
Phra That Dum
Phra
That Dum is at Tambon Ngew Don, 3 kilometres from
town on the way to Phatthana Suksa School. There
were originally 3 brick Khmer pagodas on the same
laterite base but only one stands today. The pagodas
were built in the 16th Buddhist Century.
Phra That Narai Cheng Weng
This
khmer sanctaury is 5 kilometres from town on the way
to Udon Thani. The sandstone pagoda is on a laterite
base. Ornate designs adorn the lintel, doorway and
windows. It is believed the site was entirely
constructed by women who competed with the men who
built Phra That Phu Phek. It dates from the
16th-17th Buddhist century.
Pottery Village
Sakon Nakhon’s pottery village is at Ban Chiang Khrua,
15 kilometres away on the way to Nakhon Phanom.
Products made here are jars, pots, containers, and
flowerpots. All are sold to tourists at reasonable
prices.
Sakon Nakhon Cultural Centre
Sakon Nakhon Cultural Centre is in Sakon Nakhon
Rajabhat Institute, about 6 kilometres from town on
the Sakon Nakhon-Udon Thani Road. Exhibits include
utensils of various tribes in the province and
information on Sakon Nakhon in the old days.
Saphan Khom
Saphan Khom is just before entering the town on the
Sakon Nakhon-Udon Thani Road. It is believed to have
been a route of the Khmer people.
Phu Phan
Khong Ping Ngu
Khong Ping Ngu is 14 kilometres from Amphoe Muang. It
is part of the Sakon Nakhon-Kalasin route. This
snake-like road is interesting for the largest
kilometre marker in Thailand. Many waterfalls like
Heo Sin Chai, Tat Ton and Kham Hom, are nearby with
easy access.
Phu Phan National Park
Phu
Phan National Park covers a wide jungle area in the
upper Northeast. The park headquarters is on Highway
No. 203 on the way to Kalasin, 25 kilometres from
the district office. Tourist spots in Kalasin
include Pha Nang Moen, an observation point 700
metres by foot from the park office, and Lan Sao E,
a natural rock plateau on a cliff 2 kilometres away.
Phu Phan Ratchaniwet Palace
Phu
Phan Ratchaniwet Palace is on Phu Phan mountain
range on the Sakon Nakhon-Kalasin road, 13
kilometres from the district office. It is the
residence of Their Majesties when they visit the
Northeast.
Phanna Nikhom
Achan Fan Acharo Museum
Achan Fan Acharo Museum is at Wat Pa Udom Somphon in
Tambon Phanna Nikhom en route to Udon Thani. The
museum has a wax figure of the famous monk, as well
as his personal items and biography.
Phra That Phu Phek
Phra
That Phu Phek is on a mountain in Tambon Na Hua Bo.
To get there, take the Sakon Nakhon-Udon Thani road
for 22 kilometres and take a road on the left for 14
kilometres, then ascend 491 steps. The laterite
pagoda is on a square base. Seemingly unfinished
because it has no roof or pagoda top, it was built
in the 16th-17th Buddhist century.
Wat Kham Pramong
Wat
Kham Pramong is at Ban Kham Pramong in Tambon
Sawang, 40 kilometres from Amphoe Muang on Highway
No. 22, then take Highway No. 2355 to Akat Amnuai.
The temple is the meditation centre of the famous
monk Luang Pu Sim.
Wat Tham Kham
Wat
Tham Kham used to be where the famous monks Achan
Fan and Luang Pu Thet meditated. A pagoda housing
the relics of the latter is here.
Phang
Khon
Nam Un Dam
Nam
Un Dam is 57 kilometres from Amphoe Muang en route
to Udon Thani and a left for 6 kilometres en route
to Waritchaphum. The dam is at its loveliest at
sunset over the reservoir.
Phra That Si Mongkhon
Phra
That Si Mongkhon at Tambon Ban That is 2 kilometres
from the district office. This pagoda has a square
base and is decorated with fired clay designs. The
present pagoda encases the original one which is
made of laterite.
Charoen
Sin
Ban Kut Na Kham Arts and Crafts Centre
Ban
Kut Na Kham Arts and Crafts Centre is 120 kilometres
from Sakon Nakhon town on Highway No. 22 and No.
2280. The centre produces earthenware for utensils
and home decoration. The designs are varied and are
of the finest craftsmanship. A store displays and
sells the products on the premises.
Huai Huat National Park
Huai
Huat National Park has many interesting spots. The
park can be accessed via either taking the Sakon
Nakhon-Kalasin road for 5 kilometres and then
Highway No. 2339 on the left for 35 kilometres, or
taking the Sakon Nakhon-Na Kae road for 14
kilometres and then a road on the right for 18
kilometres. The park is noted for the visual beauty
of the reservoir, the waterfall and the rock plateau
covered with flowers at the end of the rainy season.
There are also prehistoric cave drawings.
Song Dao
Achan Wan Uttamo Museum
Achan Wan Uttamo Museum is on Phu Pha Lek. To get
there, take the Sakon Nakhon-Udon Thani road for 84
kilometres to Sawang Daen Din, then a road on the
left to Song Dao for 32 kilometres. The museum
features paintings of the monk and his personal
items.
Phu Pha Lek
Phu
Pha Lek is a mountain in the Phu Phan range. Some
parts of the area are rock plateaus that are covered
with flowers toward the end of the rainy season.
Tourist spots here are the observation point on the
high cliff, Kaeng Kula waterfall, Kao Chan waterfall
that has water only in the rainy season, and
prehistoric drawings at Phak Nam cave that are over
3,000 years old.