Northeast Thailand / Uthumphon Phisai, Sikhoraphum, Surin, Prasat
Uthumphon Phisai
Uthumphon Phisai is a town in Si Saket Province, some 25km (16mi) west of the town of Si Saket.
Accommodation
Chai Anan; Thanon Lang Stani Rotfai
16 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100
Places of Interest
Prasat Hin Wat Sra Kampang Yai
This Prasat Hin (stone castle) on a high slope on the edge of Ban Sa Kampang village just 2km (1.25mi) from the Uthumphon Phisai district office was built of sandstone. The structure, erected around the 10th century during the reign of Khmer King Suriyaworaman, has a number of interesting carvings and a main gate inscribed with Khmer letters.
Prasat Hin Wat Kamphaeng Noi
The Wat is thought to have been constructed during the same period as the above-mentioned edifice. It is about 14km (9mi) further from the Uthumphon Phisai district office.
Sikhoraphum
Sikhoraphum is a town in Surin Province, some 30km (19mi) east of the town of Surin.
Accommodation
Suksan; 386-388 Prachathipat Rd; 7 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-100 (F
Places of Interest
Prasat Sikhoraphum
This Prasat is composed of five Prangs (Khmer-style pagodas), with the principal structure 32m (105ft) high. Beautiful designs are engraved on the columns. It is believed that the site was renovated once during the Ayutthaya period.
Transportation
Bangkok - Sikhoraphum
All trains going from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani stop at Sikhoraphum. Departures at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 6:50 (arrival at Sikhoraphum 14:36), 7:15 (arr 17:43), 15:25 (arr 2:00), 18:45 (arr 3:11), 21:00 (arr 4:57), 22:45 (arr 7:16) and 23:25 (arr 9:46).
Sikhoraphum - Bangkok
All trains from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok stop at Sikhoraphum. Departures from Sikhoraphum for Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 1:21 (arrival in Bangkok at 12:00), 9:09 (arr 17:25), 9:49 (arr 19:40), 16:19 (arr 3:00), 18:53 (arr 3:30), 20:04 (arr 4:35) and 21:10 (arr 5:20)
SURIN
Surin, 457km (286mi) from Bangkok and the capital of Surin Province, is best known for its annual Elephant Round-up, usually in the third week of November. The event attracts visitors from all over the world.
Accommodation
Amarin; 37/7-10 Thesaban 1 Rd, Tel 51-1407
86 rooms, sgl/dbl 95-150 (f, ac)
Chumnumthai I; 1/34-36 Thanasan Rd, Tel 51-1294
6 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)
Erawan; 37 Krungsi-Nai Rd, Tel 51-1328
22 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-100 (f)
Homsa-ad; 15/3 Na-Sathani Rotfai Rd
10 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-80 (f)
Krungsi Hotel ; 185 Krungsi-Nai Rd, Tel 51-1037
65 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-100 (f)
Memorial; 186 Lak-Muang Rd, Tel 51-1288, 51-1637
56 rooms, sgl/dbl 140-280 (f, ac)
New Hotel; 22 Thanasan Rd, Tel 51-1341, 51-1322
96 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-200 (f, ac)
Nimit Thong; 15/4 Nua-Sathani Rotfai Rd
Tel 51-1186; 8 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-80 (f)
Phetkasem; 104 Chitbamrung Rd
Tel 51-1274, 51-1576
162 rooms, sgl/dbl 300-1,000 (ac)
Rinda Bungalow; 304 Thesaban 2 Rd, Tel 51-2569
9 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-150 (f)
Ruanthai Bungalow; 1/1 Thesaban 1 Rd, Tel 51- 1280
20 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-150 (f)
Ruen Rom; 6/11 Tambon Nai Muang Rd
14 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-100 (f)
Saeng Thong; 155-61 Thanasan Rd
Tel 51-2099, 51-2009
119 rooms, sgl/dbl 125-220 (f, ac)
Sombunsuk Bungalow; 53/2 Krungsi-Nok Rd
8 rooms, sgl/dbl 60 80 (f)
Thanachai; 14 Thesaban 1 Rd, Tel 51-1002
30 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-120 (f, ac)
Ubon; 156 Thanasan Rd, Tel 51-1133
29 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)
Places of Interest
Prasat Hin Chom Phra
This small stone castle, 28km (18mi) from the town of Surin, was probably used as an idol temple built by the Khmer. Today a large Buddha image is enshrined there.
Elephant Village
Ban Tha Klang near Tha Tam probably has the highest elephant/men ratio in Thailand. The big beasts are not only kept as work force but somehow even as status symbols and pets - and they also serve the purpose of attracting visitors. Many of the elephants have been exceptionally well trained by their mahouts. At the famous Elephant Round-Up every third weekend of November, many of the participating beasts are from Ban Tha Klang.
Silk-Weaving Villages
The villages Khawao Sinrin and Chaurom near the town of Surin are well known for hand-woven silk. Khawao Sinrin is north of the town of Surin, about 14km (9mi) along Highway 214. Chaurom is east of Surin, some 9km (6mi) along Highway 2077. Tourists who are interested in watching the manufacture of silk cloth are welcome at both villages. Silk can be purchased at fairly good prices - especially if one does not arrive on an organized tour.
Transportation
Bangkok - Surin
All trains going from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani stop at Surin. There are also rail cars from Bangkok to Surin. Departures at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 6:50 (arrival at Surin 14:05), 7:15 (arr 16:57), 11:05 (arr 17:35), 15:25 (arr 1:07), 18:45 (arr 2:36), 21:00 (arr 4:20), 21:50 (arr 5:00), 22:45 (arr 6:42) and 23:25 (arr 8:55). Fare (excluding surcharges for rapid or express trains and aircon) is 73 Baht for 3rd class, 153 Baht for 2nd class and 312 Baht for 1st class. The rail distance is 420km.
Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal on Phahonyothin Road; 451km, aircon 155 Baht, 11:00, 21:30, 22:00, 22:
Surin - Bangkok
All trains from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok stop at Surin. There are also rail cars from Surin to Bangkok. Departures from Surin for Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 1:59 (arrival in Bangkok at 12:00), 8:05 (arr 15:00), 9:41 (arr 17:25), 10:29 (arr 19:40), 17:02 (arr 3:00), 19:27 (arr 3:30), 20:25 (arr 4:00), 20:47 (arr 4:35) and 21:46 (arr 5:20). For fares and distance see entries under the opposite direction.
Prasat
Prasat is a town in Surin Province, some 35km (22mi) south of the town of Surin. Translated into English, the name of the town is Castle - a reference to the many castle-like structures (Prasats) in the mountain range separating northeast Thailand from Cambodia.
Accommodation
Prasat Thani; Surin-Prasat Rd
18 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-80 (f)
Places of Interest
Prasat Hin Ban Pluang
Prasat Hin Ban Pluang near the town of Prasat is comparatively small in size but has been nicely renovated. The village of Ban Pluang itself is a silk-raising community, and finished silk products are quite popular with visitors.
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