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Khao Yai National Park
has an area of about 2,168 square kilometres in
the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. It expands
over the 4 provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima,
Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri.
In the past when there were no roads through the
area, Khao Yai was regarded among travellers as
a wild and dangerous place. The jungle here divides
the Central Region and the Northeast. Khao Yai
became Thailand’s first national park on
18th September 1962 and is an ASEAN World Heritage
because of its variety of flora and fauna.
The Khon Kaen National
Museum houses a collection of artifacts
discovered in the NE region, including those from
Ban Chiang, and a number of artifacts from the
Dvaravati period discovered in Kalasin and from
the Khmer era.
The town’s principal temple
of Wat Chediyaphum houses the
Phra That Kham Kaen. Legend has it that a withered
tamarind tree (makam) miraculously sprung back
to life as an erect tree sprouting green leaves
everywhere while the procession containing a Buddha
relic was passing by. People who witnessed this
phenomenon erected a chedi in that area and called
it the Phra That Kam Kaen, the origin of Khon
Kaen’s present name.
The main attraction of the Muban
Tao (Turtle Village), or Muban Kok, are
the numerous land-faring, dark yellowish and brown-shelled
‘pek’ turtles that reside in this
village.
The Muban Ngu (Snake
Village), or Muban Koke Sanga in Nam
Pong District is widely known for owning deadly
poisonous snakes as pets. Originally, the villagers
raised the poisonous snakes to produce herbal
medicine, which later transformed into quicker,
moneymaking entertainment shows, such as fights
pitting man against snakes.
Covering an area of 348 sq km,
Phu Kradung (Bell Mountain) National
Park has a 60-km plateau at its summit, 1,350
m above sea level. Certain plants that thrive
in the cool climate can only be found here on
the plateau. Legend has it that the steep-sided,
flat-topped mountain rings like a bell when struck
with a staff. Highlights include the numerous
falls dotting the park, which are most impressive
in October, Pha Nok An (Swallow Cliff) with breathtaking
sunrise views, and Pha Lomsak with beautiful panorama
of rolling hills and valleys below.
A landmark of the province is
the Kaeng Sapue, a section of
the Mun River that is filled with many rocks obstructing
the natural river flow. Being the province’s
most beautiful cataract, it presents a picturesque
scene with numerous small waterfalls cascading
everywhere throughout the river, visible during
the dry and cool seasons. It is a popular riverside
recreational area.
Discovered by accident in 1966,
the principal attraction of Ban Chiang
is its archeological sites with evidence that
indicate Northeastern Thailand may have been one
of the world’s earliest center of spear
production. Findings include spearheads dating
from 3,600 BC and ceramics dating from the period
between 3,000 BC and 500 AD. A collection of these
artifacts and other ornamental items (bangles,
rings) are on display at the Ban Chiang
National Museum. Based on these findings,
Ban Chiang has been recognized as an UNESCO Heritage
Site.
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Northeast
