KALASIN

Kalasin

Kalasin

Kalasin

Kalasin

Kalasin

Kalasin

Kalasin

Kalasin

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Kalasin is 519 kilometers from Bangkok and administratively divided into 14 Amphoes and 4 King Amphoes (Subdistricts), they are Amphoe Muang Kalasin, Amphoe Yang Talat, Amphoe Kamalasai, Amphoe Tha Khantho, Amphoe Khao Wong. Amphoe Huai Meg, Amphoe Sahassakhan, Amphoe Somdet, Amphoe Kuchinarai, Amphoe Kham Muong, Amphoe Nong Kungsi, Amphoe Namon, Amphoe Huai Phung, Amphoe Rong Kham King Amphoe No Koo, King Amphoe Sam Chai, King Amphoe Don Chan and King Amphoe Kong Chai, occupying an are of 7,055.07 square kilometers. The characteristics of the area are mountainous along the Phuphan Range in the upper part while the middle part is hilly area with the alteration of deciduous forest.

Geography

Most of the province is covered by hilly landscape. In the north is the Lam Pao dam built 1963-68, storing 1,430 million m³ of water for flood prevention and agriculture. At the border to the Sakhon Nakhon province is the Phu Phan mountain range, which is preserved as a national park.Kalasin is famous for the dinosaur fossils found at Phu Kum Khao (Sahatsakhan district), the largest dinosaur site of Thailand. Most of the fossils are from Sauropods of 120 million years ago.

History

Kalasin is a rich and fertile province of northeast Thailand. From archeological evidence, it used to be the residence of Lawa tribal people having prosperous civilization which can be dated back to 1,600 years. But from historical evidence, it was founded as a town in the beginning of Bangkok era around the year 1793 by Thao Somphamit who migrated with his people from the territory on the left bank of the Maekong River and settled down at Ban Keang Samrong near the bank of Nam Pao River. After setting down he arranged to deliver offerings to be offered to King Rama I, Phra Phuttha Yodfa Chulalok Maharat asking him to accept his town to be a subject of Bangkok. Later, by the royal command of King Rama l, Phra Phuttha Yodfa Chulalok Maharat, Ban Kaeng Samrong was upgraded to be a town having the name as Muang Kalasin due to its location being near the Nam Dam River which laterally means black water and at the same time Thao Somphamit was appointed Phraya Chaiyasunthon as the first ruler of Muang Kalasin.

Attractions

Wat Klang in Amphoe Muang houses a Buddha image in black and cast in bronze. Of fine craftsmanship, it is the main image of the province, and during any dry spell, it is borne aloft on a procession to plead for rain. At the base of the image are inscribed ancient Thai letters.

In addition to the black Buddha image, Wat Klang also houses a large replica of the Holy Footprint made in sandstone. Moulded during the reign of the Lawa, the Footprint used to be located on the bank of the Lam Pao River but was removed to Wat Klang when the bank became eroded.

Culture & Tourism Promotion Center, located in the area of the Thirawat Hospital, exhibits ways of life of the local people as well as sells selected items of Kalasin local products such as Phrae Wa fabric, local musical instruments, etc.

Muang Fa Daet Sung Yang is an ancient town dating back over 1,000 years. Major attractions include the Phra That Ya Khu, a huge brick stupa decorated with stucco reliefs, and carved sandstone boundary markers depicting episodes from the Life of the Lord Buddha, now at Wat Pho Chai Semaram. The town is located in Amphoe Kamalasai, 19 Kilometers away from Kalasin

Lam Pao Dam built across the Lam Pao and Huay Yang rivers is thirty five kilometers from town center on the Kalasin Yang Talat highway. The reservoir can hold up to 1260 million c.m. of water and is as beautiful as any natural lake. Along the bank of the reservoir has been built an open zoo to serve as a major attraction of the Northeast.

Wat Sakkawan is a small temple in Amphoe Sahatsakhan about 30 kilometers from Kalasin, is where the remains of dinosaurs were discovered.

Phra Phrom Phumipalo is a Buddha image in the Manwichai Posture with a spread of 10.5 meters across the knees. It is located on the Phu Singh Mount in amphoe Sahatsakhan, 32 kilometres from town.

Phra Buddha Saiyat Phu Khao. About six kilometers away from Sahatsakhan Market is the Reclining Buddha Image carved on the stone cliff. It is different from other reclining Buddha images as the figure reclines on the left-side instead of the normal right-side. Built around 1692, the image is highly venerated by local worshippers.

Phrae Wa Silk a most renowned hand-crafted product of Kalasin, is hand-woven in unique colourful designs by Phu Thai people of Ban Phon Village, Amphoe Kham Muang. Phu Thai People are descendants of Vietnamese immigrants from Muang Taeng. Phrae Wa silk is available at Kalasin Cultural Center and souvenir shops in the province.