2015 - North-Eastern Thailand and Laos - Day 6

North-Eastern (I-San) Thailand and Laos, 16 Nov - 10 Dec 2015 (25days)

The morning wet market at Sakon Nakhon.

Day 6 (21.11.2015) Sakon Nakhon to Nakhon Phanom by taxi (91km)

This morning we strolled through the Sakon Nakhon wet market and had breakfast at the food court. At 10:30 am, we took a direct taxi from the hotel, about an hour, to Nakhon Phanom near the Lao border, arriving at 11:45 am.

In Nakhon Phanom we walked along the road by the Mekong River and visited Wat Okat, the Vietnam Memorial Clock Tower, the former Governor Official Residence cum museum, St. Anna's Church Nong Saeng, Wat Pho Si, Wat Si Thep, Wat Klang & Wat Phrathat Nakhon the biggest wat. At 5pm we took an hour of the Mekong River cruise. Sleeping at Grand Hotel, Nakhon Phanom


The morning wet market at Sakon Nakhon.


Fresh fishes at Sakon Nakhon wet market.


Grilled fishes at Sakon Nakhon wet market.


Grilled chickens at Sakon Nakhon wet market.


We had pork porridge for breakfast at Sakon Nakhon wet market food-court.


Wat Okat Si Bua Ban, Nakhon Phanom houses two ancient Buddha statues "Phra Tio" & "Phra Thiam" built in the year 785.


Wat Okat Si Bua Ban, Nakhon Phanom located by the Mekong River not far from the Indochine market in the municipality, is one of the most important temples in Nakhon Phanom.


Wat Okat Si Bua Ban houses two ancient Buddha statues ‘Phra Tio’ and ‘Phra Thiam’.


Phra Tio is always on the right hand of Phra Tiam. So if you turn your face toward the chapel, Phra Tio is on your left hand. You can also differentiate the two statues by noticing carefully the material building them. Phra Tio is made of Tio wood covered with gold plate, while Phra Tiam is lacquered with gold leaf.


Wat Okat Si Bua Ban houses two ancient Buddha statues ‘Phra Tio’ and ‘Phra Thiam’.


Beautiful Mural paintings inside the chapel of Wat Okat Si Bua Ban.


Beautiful Mural paintings inside the chapel of Wat Okat Si Bua Ban.


Beautiful Mural paintings inside the chapel of Wat Okat Si Bua Ban.


From Nakhon Phanom looking across the Mekong River is the Laos town of Thakhet.


From Nakhon Phanom looking across the Mekong River is the Laos town of Thakhet.


Nakhon Phanom has the golden serpent head of a Naga statue on the banks of the Mekong River.


The custom & immigration for local residents using boats to cross over to Thakhet. Foreigners can only cross over using the 3rd Thai-Laos Friendship bridge.


The 50m high clock tower built in 1960 dedicated to the Vietnamese return to their motherland, a monument for the Vietnamese migrants, those Vietnamese who sought political asylum in Thailand during their struggle for independence from the French, some settled in Nakhon Phanom owing to its proximity.


This green lane is the bicycle trail at Nakhon Phanom.


The Mekong Walking Street at Nakhon Phanom.


The Mekong River view at Nakhon Phanom.


The Mekong River view at Nakhon Phanom.


Ching Neng Bin, Chia Chai Ling, Chan Meng Fai overlooking the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom.


Overlooking the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom.


Overlooking the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom.


A Chinese Temple along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom.


A rest area along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom.


North of Nakhon Phanom city center along the banks of the river is the former governor's mansion. It was built around 1912 to 1914 for the first governor appointed from Bangkok. It was a time when there were still tensions with the colonial French across the Mekong, so the house was strongly built to resist attack, and even had a sort of bunker in the basement.


Former Nakhon Phanom Governor's Residence and Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free.


Various ethnic minority puppets at the Old Governor's Mansion and Nakhon Phanom Museum.


Various ethnic minority puppets at the Old Governor's Mansion and Nakhon Phanom Museum.


Various ethnic minority puppets at the Old Governor's Mansion and Nakhon Phanom Museum.


Various ethnic minority puppets at the Old Governor's Mansion and Nakhon Phanom Museum.


Governor's antique telephone at Old Governor's Mansion and Nakhon Phanom Museum.


We had lunch at a cafe along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom.


We had lunch at a cafe along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom.


Saint Anna Nong Saeng Catholic church is right on the river at the far north end of Nakhon Phanom town. The church, which is a Co-Cathedral, was established in 1926, although the current chapel would appear to date from the 1970s.


Main entrance arch of St Anna`s Nong Saeng Church in Nakhon Phanom city built in 1926.


Main entrance arch of St Anna`s Nong Saeng Church in Nakhon Phanom city built in 1926.


Capped by two spiers and connected by a tall footbridge, St Anna`s Nong Saeng Church two tall minarets feature an architectural style reminiscent of Bangkok’s Assumption Cathedral, built around the same time .


St Anna`s Nong Saeng Church  has a large courtyard in front of it leading to the St Anna statue.


St Anna`s Nong Saeng Church  has a large courtyard in front of it leading to the St Anna statue.


Next to St Anna`s Nong Saeng Church is a much older building, built in 1952.


Next to St Anna`s Nong Saeng Church is a much older building, built in 1952 and reminiscent of the old colonial days.


Talad Indochina or Indochina Market sells everything from clothing, shoes and bags to food and souvenirs in Nakhon Phanom.


A Nakhon Phanom tourist boat for rent.


Nakhon Phanom.


Wat Si Thep Pradittharam, Nakhon Phanom established in 1859.


Wat Si Thep Pradittharam, Nakhon Phanom established in 1859.


Wat Si Thep Pradittharam, Nakhon Phanom established in 1859 is a forest tradition temple that was frequented by Luang Phu Chan, a well-known meditation monk. His ashes are enshrined in a large golden bell-shaped chedi situated behind the ordination hall, and a life-like statue of him is placed in a side building.


Wat Si Thep Pradittharam, Nakhon Phanom established in 1859.


Wat Si Thep Pradittharam, Nakhon Phanom established in 1859.


Wat Si Thep Pradittharam, Nakhon Phanom established in 1859.


Wat Si Thep Pradittharam, Nakhon Phanom established in 1859.


Wat Klang in Nakhon Phanom. The Ubosot, with huge border stone markers, contains a seated Buddha image.


Wat Phrathat Nakhon or Wat Mahathat was built in the year 607 by Phraya Maha Ammat, an army leader from Vientiane. The highlight is a 24-metre-tall white chedi, Phra That Nakhon, adorned with golden dots and surrounded by numerous Buddha images. It features a large square base where relics of important monks and a gold Buddha image are enshrined. Some sort of stupa or marker has probably existed here for a very long time, but what you see today was constructed in 1922.


Wat Phrathat Nakhon or Wat Mahathat was built in the year 607 in Nakhon Phanom.


Wat Phrathat Nakhon or Wat Mahathat was built in the year 607 in Nakhon Phanom.


Wat Phrathat Nakhon or Wat Mahathat was built in the year 607 in Nakhon Phanom.


Wat Phrathat Nakhon or Wat Mahathat was built in the year 607 in Nakhon Phanom.


Chew Leng Soon at Wat Phrathat Nakhon or Wat Mahathat in Nakhon Phanom.


Wat Phrathat Nakhon or Wat Mahathat in Nakhon Phanom.


Local Nakhon Phanom boat sail the Mekong only once a day. Her 1 hour sunset cruise is 50 baht per person and departs only at 5pm.


Local Nakhon Phanom boat sail the Mekong only once a day.


Local Nakhon Phanom boat sail the Mekong only once a day.


After cruising close to the Thai side to St Anna’s Church, the Nakhon Phanom boat turned along the Lao side to get a glimpse of the hotels, temples and other buildings with the Lao riverbank in the background.


Nakhon Phanom boat cruised close to the Thai side all the way up to St Anna’s Church.


Nakhon Phanom boat cruised close to the Thai side all the way up to St Anna’s Church.


Nakhon Phanom boat cruised close to the Thai side all the way up to St Anna’s Church.




Nakhon Phanom boat cruised close to the Thai side all the way up to St Anna’s Church.


Nakhon Phanom boat cruised close to the Thai side all the way up to St Anna’s Church


View of Thakhet on the Laos side of the Mekong River.


View of Hotel Riveria, Thakhet on the Laos side of the Mekong River.


View of Hotel Riveria, Thakhet on the Laos side of the Mekong River.


Evening view of St Anna`s Church seen from a Mekong Riverboat.


Evening view of Nakhon Phanom seen from a Mekong Riverboat.


Evening view of Nakhon Phanom seen from a Mekong Riverboat.


Evening view of Nakhon Phanom seen from a Mekong Riverboat.


Evening view of Nakhon Phanom seen from a Mekong Riverboat.


Evening view of Nakhon Phanom seen from a Mekong Riverboat.


Evening view of Nakhon Phanom seen from a Mekong Riverboat.

Day 6 Cost Item in Thai Baht Bus/car Food Hotel Fee Total  per pax
21.11.2015 Breakfast
160

160 40
Nakhon Phanom Taxi to Nakhon Phanom 1,000


1,000 250
Grand Hotel Grand Hotel room 1

400
400 200

Grand Hotel room 2

460
460 230

Lunch
453

453 113

Water
20

20 5

Mekong River Cruise


200 200 50

Dinner
160

160 40
 
Click below to view:
North-Eastern Thailand and Laos - Introduction
Day 01 (16.11.15) AirAsia AK 856 KUL. 12.45pm to Chiang Mai, (1738km)
Day 02 (17 Nov) Chiang Mai to Loei to Phu Kradueng to Khon Kaen (691km)

Day 03 (18 Nov) Khon Kaen City walk around
Day 04 (19 Nov) Khon Kaen City to Kalasin (80km)
Day 05 (20 Nov) Kalasin to Sakon Nakhon (129km)

Day 06 (21 Nov) Sakon Nakhon to Nakhon Phanom (92km)
Day 07 (22 Nov) Nakhon Phanom - day trip to Thakhek, Laos (62km)
Day 08 (23 Nov) Nakhon Phanom to Mukdahan (125km)
Day 09 (24 Nov) Mukdahan - trip to Phu Pha Thoet National Park (108km)
Day 10 (25 Nov) Mukdahan to Ubon Ratchathani by bus (194km)

Day 11 (26 Nov) Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse to Si Phan Don, Laos (291km)
Day 12 (27 Nov) Si Phan Don - a long walk to Somphamit Waterfall
Day 13 (28 Nov) Si Phan Don to Ubon Ratchathani by bus (291km)
Day 14 (29 Nov) Ubon Ratchathani to Si Sa Ket by van (67km)
Day 15 (30 Nov) Si Sa Ket to Buri Ram by train (148km)

Day 16 (01 Dec) Buri Ram - day visit to 3 places (219km)
Day 17 (02 Dec) Buri Ram to Nakhon Ratchasima by train (129km)
Day 18 (03 Dec) Nakhon Ratchasima - day trip to Phimai (120km)
Day 19 (04 Dec) Nakhon Ratchasima to Bangkok by train (264km)
Day 20 (05 Dec) Bangkok - Chao Phraya River boat ride to Khaosan Road

Day 21 (06 Dec) Bangkok - rest day and dinner at Royal Bangkok Sports Club
Day 22 (07 Dec) Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by train (320km)
Day 23 (08 Dec) Prachuap Khiri Khan
Day 24 (09 Dec) Prachuap Khiri Khan to Hatyai by night train (660km)
Day 25 (10 Dec) Hatyai to Butterworth by train and to KL by bus (555km)
 

L-R: Chan Meng Fye, Chew Leng Soon and Ching Neng Bin on the road in Thailand. 
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