Sakon Nakhon Province in Northeastern Thailand (Isaan)
Sakon Nakhon is the town of the sacred Phra That Choeng Chum and the vast Nong Han Lake. The Phu Thai Tribe people living around the town offer an interesting study in ancient customs and traditions. One such event is the "Wax Castle" festival in October when castles fashioned from wax are celebrated. Sakon Nakhon is 647 kilometers from Bangkok.
What to see and what to do in Sakon Nakhon?
Nong Han, a 32 - sq.km. lake in Sakon Nakhon, is a popular place of relaxation. Its offshore isles, particularly the Don Sawan, are both beautiful and restful. They can be easily reached by hired boats.
Phra That Choeng Chum, a major and sacred religious monument of Sakon Nakhon, is enshrined at Wat Phra That Choeng Chum in town. Of rectangular shape, it is made of mortar and bricks with a height of 24 meters.
Phra That Narai Cheng Weng, another religious structure, is located at the Ban That village about five kilometers from town center. It is a Khmer style pagoda, made of laterite and is 12 meters high.
Local transport, Sakon Nakhon
Wat Pa Suthawat, opposite the Town Hall, is where the possessions and remains of the highly respected late Phra Achan Man Bhuritatto are kept.
Phu Phan National Park, 25 kilometers from the province on Sakon Nakhon - Kalasin route, is scattered with limestone mountains, groves and savannahs. It has several natural attractions such as Tat Ton Waterfall and Kham Hom Waterfall.
Huai Huat Reservoir, 35 kilometers from King Amphoe Tao Ngoi, is a part of Huai Huat National Park, a consequence of Huai Huat Dam construction. Fronting the reservoir are a royal hall, a flower garden and a natural arrangement of various forms of rocks.
Wax Castle and Boat Racing Festival are held at the end of the Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa). The event represents a traditional merit-making in the form of a wax castle procession, a tribute paid to the Lord Buddha. Elaborately constructed miniature wax castles stand as the main feature of the parade. Traditional northeastern performances are also presented while a boat race takes place at Nong Han Lake.