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Region: Northeast Thailand> Province: Nong Khai>Location: Nong Khai

Nong Khai sights and attractions

Sunset cruises - Worth a trip once

Description
Leaving daily, the sunset cruise is a good way to take in the surrounds, get a closer look at the bridge and have a drink before dinner.

Wat Po Chai - Great murals

Description
This is home to a highly revered Buddha image which dates back to the Lan Chang Empire and part of the statue is solid gold. It is believed to be one of three statues made at the request of the daughters of the King of Lan Chang. In 1778 the images were taken to Vientiane in Laos and were subsequently carried to Nong Khai during the reign of King Rama III. During the move, one of the boats sank in a storm sending the Buddha on board hurtling to the bottom but it was later recovered. The remaining two were interred in Thai Wats, the recovered statue now resides in Wat Ho Klong. When visiting here be sure to take a good look at the murals -- unlike anything we've seen anywhere else in Thailand.

Wat Sala Kaew Ku (Wat Khaek) - Bizarre

Description
One of the stranger sights you will see on any trip in Thailand is this bizarre sculpture garden cum religious site cum festival garden. There is an equally bizarre tale that goes with the wat. The main motivator behind this garden, a Laotian born artist and mystic by the name of Boun Leua Sourirat, went for a stroll in the mountainous lands of his homeland only to fall through a hole in the ground. He landed in the lap of Keoku, a hermit who was living in the cave which Leua fell into.

Keoku then went on to teach Leua the ways of Buddha, the underworld, and one assumes, the best way to mix concrete -- as once Leua left the hermit he got building quick smart. First in Laos, then with the takeover by the communists, he decided to move to somewhere where he believed his hobby would be better apreciated and tolerated, Thailand.

The sculpture garden is one of those places which is incredibly difficult to describe. It is big and full to the brim with concrete statues of deities from all manner of religions. The standout statue would have to be the seated Buddha with the naga heads behind it, the statue must be close to 35m high.

Phra That Nong Khai - Take a stroll by the river

Description
This largely submerged Lao chedi slipped off the bank of the river nearly 150 years ago and is now only visible when the river is low. It is quite a long walk from downtown Nong Khai and not really worth the effort, though a late afternoon stroll down the riverside promenade is pleasant enough so you may as well take a peek. Once it breaks the surfaces, flags are tied to it to make it easier to spot. It is about a 20 to 30 minute walk east along the river promenade to get there.