Thailand: Isan

Tham Dao Khao Kaeo Cave Temple

Posted November 15, 2021 by Jan
Thailand: Isan

Tham Dao Khao Kaeo

Tambon Phaya Klang

Muak Lek District

Saraburi Province

Thailand

November 15, 2021

The Tham Dao Khao Kaeo Cave Temple is 75 kilometers from Saraburi town or 122 kilometers from Nakhon Ratchasima city.

This cave is located up 100 meters of stairs from the foot of a hill, Khao Kaeo.

When rays of sun fall upon the cave, the walls sparkle red, black, and brown, like stars, or Dao, giving it part of its moniker.  

Phimai Historical Park

Posted November 16, 2021 by Jan
Thailand: Isan

Nakhon Ratchasina Province

Thailand

November 16, 2021

The Phimai Historical Park is one of the largest Hindu Khmer temples in Thailand.  It is located in the town of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Phimai had previously been an important town at the time of the Khmer Empire. The temple Prasat Hin Phimai, located in the center of the town, was one of the major Khmer temples in ancient Thailand, connected with Angkor by an ancient Khmer Highway, and oriented to face Angkor as its cardinal direction. The site is now protected as the Phimai Historical Park.

Sai Ngam Banyan Tree Grove

Posted November 16, 2021 by Jan
Thailand: Isan

Sai Ngam

Nakhon Ratchasima

Thailand

November 16, 2021

 

Seventeen years ago, when I made my first trip to the northeast of Thailand, I visited Sai Ngam, purported to be the largest and possibly the oldest banyan tree in Thailand.
 
I wandered into and through and under and around this 1350 square meters (1615 square yards), 350 year old tree.  A series of dirt and brick paths meander beneath the trees and the grove is surrounded by water. 
 
That was then. 2004.
 
This year 2021 torrential rains have flooded the area.  Jenjira and I walked to the periphery of the grove but deep water prevented us from "meandering."
 
Apparently, because of the reproduction mechanism of the banyan tree, with its myriad of interconnecting roots and trunks and branches, Sai Ngam is just one tree! 
 

THAILAND'S LARGEST BANYAN TREE GROVE

The Sai Ngam banyan tree grove is one of Thailand's spookier attractions. It feels like the setting for a twisted horror film where the trees come alive and strangle unsuspecting passersby, and locals believe that potent terrestrial spirits dwell here. For photographers, or anyone who appreciates the eerie, Sai Ngam makes a visit to Phimai even more worthwhile.

Wat Luang Phor Toh

Posted November 16, 2021 by Jan
Thailand: Isan

 

Sikhio District

Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Thailand

November 16, 2021

Wat Luang Phor Toh is an elegant Buddhist Temple that was built with funds donated by a famous Thai actor who became a monk.

The Grand Hall honors him with an enormous golden sculpture in his likeness.

The surrounding grounds and gardens are decorated with enormous boulders.

A traditional Buddhist temple is on the far side of a placid pond..

Wat Phayap

Posted November 17, 2021 by Jan
Thailand: Isan

Nakhon Ratchasima City (Khorat)

Nakhon Ratchasima Province

November 17, 2021

Hello,

The cave on the grounds of Wat Phayap is not the most stunning or inspiring cave.  The cave is small, about 16 by 12 meters, 3 meters high (52 ft x 39 ft x 10 ft).

 But, the story is appealing.

This cave is completely RECONSTRUCTED.   You might say artificial.  Certainly not natural.  The “cave” was built from rocks from neighboring Saraburi Province.

The cave is named Parat Cha Wemonmoree in honor of the monk who was the head of the Wat Phayap temple, and who initiated the construction of the cave.

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