When one think of places
to see in Thailand outside of Bangkok, most people would cite Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang
Mai,
Krabi, Phuket and Pattaya as just some of the most popular locations. Almost no
one will mention a hidden gem of a place called Nakhon Phanom.
Nakhon Phanom is situated
on the north eastern side of Thailand and also the capital of the province with
the same name. It borders the country of Laos with the mighty Mekong River.
Still uncongested with tourists, Nakhon Phanom is an ideal destination in
Thailand that offers a variety of must-see places and things to do such as:
Before
Sunset Mekong River Cruise
What better way to cap
your first day in Nakhon Phanom than to ride a boat and cruise the historic
Mekong River just as the sun was about to set. Witness the everyday flow of
life of the communities living in both river sides of Thailand and Laos.
Shop
and Foodtripping at the Night Market
No Thailand town is
complete without a night market. At Nakhon Phanom, come night time a 200 meter
stretch of street located near the Naga landmark by the river side becomes a
haven for shoppers, as stalls selling interesting local products dots both
sidewalks as well as carts filled with mouth-watering street foods.
Explore
the town by Bicycle
With a biking lane
spreading 14 kilometers running parallel the scenic Mekong River, Nakhon Phanom
becomes one of the most bike-friendly places in Asia. One can easily explore the
picturesque river side by renting a bicycle passing through quaint cafes and
communities meeting friendly locals. The bicycle path can also double as a
jogger’s track therefore giving you another option to mix your daily exercise
regimen and your quest for exploration.
Check
out the Naga Monument
The giant Naga Monument
situated at the main river walk is the central landmark of Nakhon Phanom. The statue
is in honor of a mythical serpent-like creature, which according to local
beliefs, dwells in the waters of the Mekong River. The locals can be often seen
passing by to pray and offering flowers to the giant Naga.
Visit
Ho Chi Minh's house
During the mid-1920s a
young Ho Chi Minh visited the town of Nakhon Phanom and lived in the house of a
local family who hosted him. Today, this house is known as the Ban Na Chok (Ho
Chi Minh’s House) and has become a popular pilgrimage site by Vietnamese
travelers.
Wat
Okat Si Bua Ban
Apart from the impressive
façade architecture, this temple also holds significance among the locals and
Buddhist pilgrims because it houses a well-regarded twin Buddha images, the “Phra
Tio” and “Phra Thiam”, which are carved together and is believed to have been
created as far as 785 BC. Inside the temple hall, are two ironwood replica statues
of the Phra Tio” and “Phra Thiam” Buddha measuring 39 centimeters and 60
centimeters tall respectively.
Phrathat
Si Khun
Phrathat si Khun is another
sacred temple in Nakhon Phanom. It is a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site, especially
to people born on a Tuesday. The current temple which was constructed in 1954, stands
over the ruins of an older temple dating back to early 19th century.
Wat
Phra That Phanom
Wat Phra That Phanom is
known as one of Northeastern Thailand's most revered temples located near the
banks of the Mekong River. Housed inside the 57 meter chedi are countless
Buddha statues, all glistening in gold and placed surrounding along
multi-layers of Buddhist shrines. Among other Buddhist relics, it includes the
most sacred one: a small piece of the sacred breast bone of the Buddha. This
whole chedi is believed to contain approximately 110 kilos of gold.
Cross
the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge
Since you are already in
Nakhon Phanom which is only separated by the Mekong River to the country of
Laos, you might as well cross the third Thai-Lao friendship bridge (built in
2011) into the Khammouane province of Laos. This is the perfect way to witness
both the similarities and difference of the way of life of the Thai and Laotian
locals residing in the river side border towns.
This is one of the side
trips included in the program of the 2018 Mekong Tourism Forum held in the city
of Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
