Nakhon Phanom Attractions
Nakhon Phanom
The provincial capital Nakhon Phanom is in the extreme north-east of Thailand on the Mekong, and hence the frontier with Laos. On clear days the Laotian mountains beyond the town of Thakhek and the forests on the opposite bank of the river can be seen. During the Vietnam War, when there was an American base and radio interception station 12 km (7 mi.) west of the town, Nakhon Phanom was a temporary haven for many thousands of refugees. Apart from a couple of busy markets, there is nothing to see in the town itself but its good hotels, some of which were established here to cater to the Americans, are a good base for trips to places in the surrounding area. Wat Phra That Phanom is famous for its annual Phansa festival week in January which attracts a great many pilgrims and stages events such as boat races and folk dances.
By car: highways 213/22 from Kalasin (98 km (61 mi.)).
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (727 km (452 mi.)) and Kalasin.
By air: daily from Bangkok
The provincial capital Nakhon Phanom is in the extreme north-east of Thailand on the Mekong, and hence the frontier with Laos. On clear days the Laotian mountains beyond the town of Thakhek and the forests on the opposite bank of the river can be seen. During the Vietnam War, when there was an American base and radio interception station 12 km (7 mi.) west of the town, Nakhon Phanom was a temporary haven for many thousands of refugees. Apart from a couple of busy markets, there is nothing to see in the town itself but its good hotels, some of which were established here to cater to the Americans, are a good base for trips to places in the surrounding area. Wat Phra That Phanom is famous for its annual Phansa festival week in January which attracts a great many pilgrims and stages events such as boat races and folk dances.
By car: highways 213/22 from Kalasin (98 km (61 mi.)).
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (727 km (452 mi.)) and Kalasin.
By air: daily from Bangkok
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Wat Phra That Phanom
It is thought that the collar-bone of the Buddha resides within the Wat Phra That Phanom, one of the biggest attractions in the Nakhon Phanom area.
Tha Rae, Thailand
(Near Nakhon Phanom)
Many of the villagers living in Tha Rae, about 10 km (6 mi.) west of Nakhon Phanom on Route 22 to Sakhon Nakhon, are Vietnamese and Roman Catholic. Tha Rae is in fact the seat of a bishopric and has a seminary where young men can train for the priesthood.
