UBON RATCHATHANI

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani

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Ubon Ratchathani has been a well established community for hundreds of years. It is where the Traditional and colorful Candle Procession is held. Ubon is 629 Kilometers from Bangkok.

Geography:

At Khong Chiam the Mun river, the biggest river of the Khorat Plateau, joins the Mekong, which forms the north-eastern boundary of Thailand with Laos. The area where the borders of the three countries Thailand, Laos and Cambodia meet is promoted as the Emerald Triangle, in contrast to the Golden Triangle in the north of Thailand. The Emerald refers to the large intact monsoon forests there.

History:

The area was part of the Khmer Empire, until King Ramathibodi of Ayutthaya defeated it and made it part of his kingdom. After the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 several new tribes settled there, including the Kha and Suai. Twenty years later King Rama I offered a noble title to the local leader who could unite the many small settlements into one town. This was accomplished in 1786 with the founding of Ubon Ratchathani by Thao Khamphong, and in 1792 it became a province. Ubon Ratchathani became the administrative center of the monthon Isan, of which monthon Ubon was split off. In 1925 it became part of monthon Nakhon Ratchasima, with the abolishment of the monthon in 1933 the province became a first level subdivision of the country.

Until 1972 the Ubon Ratchathani province was the largest province of Thailand areawise. In 1972 Yasothon was split off, in 1993 Amnat Charoen, after which it now holds the 5th rank.

Attractions:

Wat Thung Si Muang is renowned for its traditional wooden Ho Trai scripture repository, with an intricately carved gable, in the middle of a pond. The monastic hall of Wat Thung Si Mung houses beautiful mural paintings depicting episodes from Buddhist literature and scenes of local every life.

Ubon Ratchathani National Museum Once the province's City Hall, puts on an exhibition of the province's history, geological features of the northeast, discovered artifacts, and local handiwork like basketry, brass, traditional hand-woven fabric, and local musical instruments. The museum is open daily except for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Wat Nong Bua, located on the suburb of town on the way to Amnat Charroen province. It is the only Buddhist monastery in the country with a Buddhagaya-style stupa, and has an extensive structure. Within the Stupa are several important Buddha images.

Wat Maha Wanaram the ancient and principal temple of Ubon, houses the sacred Phra Chao Yai Indra Plang image, highly venerated by both the people of Ubon and neighboring provinces.

Wat Supattanaram the first Buddhist monastery of the Dharmanyuthi sect in Northeastern Thailand, is situated on the bank of the Mun River not too far from the town center. Built in 1853 with an initial royal donation by King Rama IV, it has as its principal image the Phra Sapphanyu Chao which is greatly revered by both local people and visitors alike.

Ban Kan Luang Archaeological Site five kilometers away from town along Highway 212 and 2050, the site was excavated by the Fine Arts Department in 1992. Discoveries include artifact, implements, ornaments, beads, pottery, and iron axes. It is believed that settlement dates back at least 2,000 years.

Wat Pa Nanachat some 15 kilometers from the province on Ubon-Si Sa Ket route, the Wat is renowned for its meditation affairs with a large number of foreign monks practicing there.

Kaeng Saphu rapids south of Amphoe Phibun Mangsahan market, 45 kilometers from Ubon. Splashing currents during dry season make a beautiful scene over rocks and outcrops, although they are completely immersed during the high-tide season.

Sirindhorn Dam, one of the major multi-purpose dams in the Northeast is around seventy kilometres from town in Amphoe Phibun Mangsahan. It is capable of producing 36,000 kilo watts or an annual 13.5 million units of electricity.

Khong Chiam is a district overlooking the Mekhong River and is located 80 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani. A hired boat is available here to go to Kaeng Tana cataract and to go sightseeing at Mae Nam Song Si or the bicolour river where the Mekhong and Mun Rivers meet.

Kaeng Tana National Park is located in Amphoe Khong Chiam, 13 kilometers off Highway No. 217 opposite the entrance of the side-road to Sirindhorn Dam. There is accommodation for tourists. Attractions in the park include:-

Kaeng Tana is the largest rapids of the Mun River. The cataract itself is a big stone platform lying across the Mun River, causing the water which flows through Kaeng Tana to take the form of beautiful waterfalls.

Nam Tok Tat Ton is created from Tat Ton brook flowing past a stone platform and plunging onto the plain forming a basin large enough to swim in. The area is surrounded by a forest and flowering shrubs.

Pha Taem National Park is located 14 kilometers from Amphoe Khong Chiam. Attractions in the park include:-

Sao Chaling 11 kilometers from Amphoe Khong Chaim on the Highway 2112, the place is scattered with natural mush-room-like piles of stone slabs with a large amount of shells stuck in their texture. The area is believed by geologists to be a long dried sea.

Pha Taem and Pha Mon located 3 kilometers beyond Sao Chaliang the Pha Taem and Pha Mon are two steep cliffs overlooking Mekong river with a clear view of Laos on the other side. On the cliffs surface there are prehistoric paintings dating back 3,000 - 4,000 years, reflecting ancient ways of life of the people who once lived in the area, such as Buk fishing (Buk is a species of large scaleless fish found in the Mekong river), and rice farming. Figures of people, animals, hands and geometric designs are also depicted.

Phu Lon Buddhist Center is in Tambon Song Yang, about 20 kilometers from Amphoe Muang Mai. It is a small hill with trees and rocks. There is a cave built by Phra Achan Man Phurithattathera; it is very tranquil and suitable for relaxation and meditation.

Major Events:

Candle Festival held annually at the beginning of Buddhist Lent in July at Thung Si Muang, the festival's planned activities include the competition of the candle"tree" which is divided into moulded and carved categories. All candle "trees" will be brightened up by the lights from many diverse entertainmemts organized to celebrate them.