2015 - North-Eastern Thailand and Laos - Day 9

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

The beautiful road to Phu Pha Thoep National Park, Mukdahan

Day 9 (24.11.2015) Mukdahan – day trip to Phu Pha Thoep National Park (108km)

In the early morning of day 9, we took a tuk-tuk to visit Phu Pha Thoep or Mukdahan National Park. The second visit was the Wat Roi Phra Putthabat at Phu Manorom with the replica of the Buddha Foot Print. There was the construction of the largest sitting Buddha image in Thailand. And finally we visited the Mukdahan Tower. 
 
Sleeping at Submukda Grand Hotel, Mukdahan


Phu Pha Thoep National Park formerly known as Mukdahan National Park is in Mukdahan Province, Thailand. This park is one of the country's smallest national parks, is home to unusual rock formations and a cave with ancient hand paintings.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park walking trail map.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


This rock formation resembles a crown in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


This rock formation resembles a crown in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


This rock formation resembles a crown in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Geographically the Phu Pha Thoep National Park is formed with mountainous sandstone.


Although Phu Pha Thoep National Park is very small (48.4sq.km), it is famous for its unique sandstone formations due to 95-120 million years of weathering and a large rock garden.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


This rock formation resembles an animal in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


This rock formation resembles a crocodile in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Walking under a natural umbrella in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


This rock formation resembles a satellite dish receiver in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is famous for the unusual mushroom shaped rock formations.


Lan Mudchalin wild flowers is seen from October to December in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Lan Mudchalin wild flowers is seen from October to December in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is home to 10 brightly colored Lan Mudchalin wild flowers.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is home to 10 brightly colored Lan Mudchalin wild flowers.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is home to 10 brightly colored Lan Mudchalin wild flowers.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park mountain slopes are also very rich in bamboo forest.


Many cactus with flowers in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Many cactus with flowers in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Phu Pha Thoep Park has cliffs & waterfalls that were considered dangerous to visit by park warden.


Phu Pha Thoep Park terrain reminded us of a desert with lizards scurrying through the coarse sandy grass.


Phu Pha Thoep Park terrain reminded us of a desert with lizards scurrying through the coarse sandy grass.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


On the Phu Pha Thoep trail up the gradually sloping rock we came across a modest Buddha shrine.


Mekong River came within view beyond the stumpy shrubs at Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is home to 10 brightly colored Lan Mudchalin wild flowers.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is home to 10 brightly colored Lan Mudchalin wild flowers.


Phu Pha Thoep National Park is home to 10 brightly colored Lan Mudchalin wild flowers.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Visitors with kids needs to be careful here as the cliffs have no railings in Phu Pha Thoep Park.


We walked east to a cliff at Pha Oot appeared along the cliff side of Phu Pha Thoep Park.


Visitors with kids needs to be careful here as the cliffs have no railings in Phu Pha Thoep Park.


This rock formation resembles a camel in Phu Pha Thoep Park.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


The Pha Ngoy view point in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


The Pha Ngoy view point in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Chan Meng Fye, Chew Leng Soon, Ching Neng Bin at Pha Ngoy view point in Phu Pha Thoep Park.


The Pha Ngoy view point in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.



Wild flowers at Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


Wild flowers at Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


The walking trek in Phu Pha Thoep National Park.


At Phu Manorom hill car park is a view point that looks out across Laos.


At Phu Manorom hill car park is a view point that looks out across Laos, but the most impressive view is from the top of the Buddha statue. This is a great place to watch the sunset.


View of Mukdahan, Mekong River & Laos at Phu Manorom hill. Notice the Mukdahan Tower.


At Phu Manorom hill car park is an impressive view of the Buddha statue under construction. 
 

2015.11.24 - Wat Roi Phra Putthabat at Phu Manorom


Once completed this will be the largest 84 meter sitting Buddha image at Phu Manorom hill in Thailand.


Wat Roi Phra Putthabat Phu Manorom, a temple high up in the hillside.


Wat Roi Phra Putthabat Phu Manorom, a temple high up in the hillside.


Wat Roi Phra Putthabat Phu Manorom, a temple high up in the hillside.


Wat Roi Phra Putthabat Phu Manorom, a temple high up in the hillside.


View of the 66m high Mukdahan Tower or Ho Kaew in Thai. It was built in 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Thai King's accession to the throne.


At the foyer and ground floor of Mukdahan Tower.


At the foyer and ground floor of Mukdahan Tower.


The Mukdahan Tower foyer contain selection of ancient pottery and other interesting household ornaments, like eagle trap, elephant net and battle spears used when a tribe from Southern China invaded in the late 1800s.


At the foyer and ground floor of Mukdahan Tower.


Mukdahan Tower 2nd floor features a display on Mukdahan province’s eight ethnic minority groups.


Mukdahan Tower 2nd floor features a display on Mukdahan province’s eight ethnic minority groups.


Mukdahan Tower 2nd floor features a display on Mukdahan province’s eight ethnic minority groups.


Panoramic views of Mukdahan city, Mekong river from the 6th floor Mukdahan Tower observation deck.


Panoramic views of Mukdahan city, Mekong river from the 6th floor Mukdahan Tower observation deck.


Panoramic views of Mekong River and Laos from the 6th floor Mukdahan Tower observation deck.


Farm land view from the 6th floor Mukdahan Tower observation deck.


We had good dinner at this restaurant so far. It is located diagonally opposite 7-Eleven near to our hotel.


We had good dinner at this restaurant so far. It is located diagonally opposite 7-Eleven near to our hotel.


We had good dinner at this restaurant so far. It is located diagonally opposite 7-Eleven near to our hotel.








Day 9 Cost Item in Thai Baht Bus/car Food Hotel Fee Total  per pax
24.11.2015 Submukda Grand Hotel

800
800 200
Mukdahan Breakfast
105

105 26
Submukda Grand Tuk tuk (day trip) 700


700 175

Fee to PhuPhaTheop Park


800 800 200

Tram 100


100 25

Fee - Mukdahan Tower


200 200 50

Lunch
200

200 50

Dinner
530

530 133


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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