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General Information
Amnart Charoen is located in the south of northern plateau approximately 583 kilometres from Bangkok. It is a newly established province upgraded from Amphur Amnart Charoen of Ubon Ratchathani Province in 1993.
The province is divided into the following districts: Muang, Chanuman, Phana, Hua Taphan, Senangkhanikhom, Pathum Ratchawongsa and Lue Amnart.
How To Get There
Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima, then take Highway No. 226 to Buriram and Surin and continue the journey along Highways No. 214 and 202 to Amnat Charoen via Suwannaphum and Yasothon, a total distance of 585 kilometres.
Bus
Buses depart from Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Amnat Charoen every day. Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information
Rail
There is no direct train to Amnat Charoen. Visitors can take a train to Ubon Ratchathani, then continue the trip by bus to Amnat Charoen. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.
Air
Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, which is 75 kilometres from Amnat Charoen. Call 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 for more information.
Festivals
Boat Racing
This festival is held around November in front of the Chanuman district office nearby the Maekhong River. The festival draws decorative boats from neighbouring provinces and Lao P.D.R.
Long Kuang
This tradition is a gathering of unmarried male and female villagers. Females weave along with musical tunes conducted by male villagers.
Local Products
Hand-woven Fabric
Silk cloth is mostly produced in many villages of Phana, Lue Amnart and Hua Taphan districts. Khit Pillow, a traditional pillow with Khit patterns, is a famous handicraft of Hua Taphan district. Pork products such as Mu Yo and Nam is available at the market in the town.
Attractions
Rapids in Maekhong River
Chanuman is a peaceful district about 80 kilometres from the provincial town where the land run along side the Maekhong River for a distance of 38 kilometres, affording a wonderful view of the natural scenery of both side of the river. Rapids emerge during the dry season (February-May).
Ban Kham Phra Handicraft Centre
On the Hua Taphan-Amnart Charoen highway about 2 kilometres north of the Hua Taphan district office or 37 kilometres from the provincial town offers handicraft products made by housewives groups. Items available include the Khit fabric and items made from Khit materials.
Pho Sila Temple (Wat Pho Sila)
This is a temple at Lue Amnart district. It houses the Dvaravati sand-stone battlements with carving of flowers and leaves with bloom lotus at their bases.
Chitsakon Agricultural Centre
Located on the outskirts of the town in the Chitsakon Resort. It is a garden of flowering plants, notably the marigolds. Visitors can take part in some activities.
Phra Mongkhon Ming Muang
This Buddha image is housed in Dan Phra Bat Temple. The temple is situated 3 kilometres from town on the left-hand side of Highway 212. This Buddhist sanctuary built amidst the green trees of Phra Mongkon Ming Muang, designed in the attitude of Subduing Mara and decorated with golden mosaic tiles. The 20 metre-tall Buddha image was moulded in Northern Indian style in 1965. It is the most sacred Buddha image for Amnart Charoens people.
The temple also keeps a respected Buddha image called Pa La Hai, coincidentally discovered in the pond in 1962 when the temple was under renovation. This Buddha image is believed to bring good fortune to worshippers.
Phuttha Utthayan Reservoir
This reservoir is opposite to Wat Dan Phra Bat , three kilometres away from town. This large reservoir under the Irrigation Department offers beautiful scenery. It is an ideal place to visit with resorts and food shops scattered all around.
Tham Saeng Phet Temple (Wat Tham Saeng Phet)
This is a meditation sanctuary. It is about 11 kilometres from town, on Amnart Charoen-Khemmarat Road and three kilometres on a side road before the end of the highway. The large temple area consists of the hilltop chapel with a principal Buddha image. The temple is set amidst rocks, which reflect the light and sparkle like diamonds.
Don Chao Pu
This is a forest park with assorted plants and serves as habitat to large groups of monkeys.
Phra Lao Thep Nimit Temple (Wat Phra Lao Thep Nimit)
This temple is 40 kilometres from Amnart Charoen on Highway 212 and 2134. The temple consists of the Lanna architecture chapel, houses a Buddha image in the attitude of Subduing Mara, which is believed to be the most beautiful Buddha image in the northeastern region. Designed with the influence of Laotian and Lanna arts in 1720, the Buddha image shows a blend of local art dating around the 23rd Buddhist century.
Phu Sa Bua National Park
This national park is at km. 24-26 of Highway No. 2227, some 60 kilometres from Amnart Charoen centre. It covers a mountainous area of 252 square kilometres. Its rich and fertile jungles are habitats to a great number of different plant life. There are several large stone flatlands in different locations locally called Dan. Major attractions in the park include:
Phu Pha Taem is a cliff adorned with prehistoric paintings, dating back to 3,000-4,000 years ago. The cliff-face itself looks somewhat like a caves because of rock slides.
Pha Maklua and Phu Pha Hom are suitable for viewing the surrounding.
Phu Sa Dok Bua is 423 metres high. Atop the mount are several rocky depressions, each measuring about 2-5 metres wide filled with different genres of water lilies throughout the year. Nearby is a large cave which used to be the hide-out of Communist followers. |
