Sa Kaeo Province
General Information
Located in the eastern border of Thailand, facing Cambodia at Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo is a popular province known as a trading centre.
In the past, Sa Kaeo was a major civilized community. Its long history had dated back since the Suwannaphum and Dvaravati Periods. The archeological sites of Khmer arts and stone inscriptions are the outstanding examples of this civilization.
Administratively, Sa Kaeo has been a district of Prachin Buri Province for a long period, and has officially been upgraded as a province since December 1, 1993.
Sa Kaeo is 245 kilometres, east of Bangkok, with the area about 7,195 square kilometres. Sa Kaeo is divided into 7 Amphoes (districts) and 2 King Amphoe (sub-districts): Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Watthana Nakhon, Amphoe Aranyaprathet, Amphoe Ta Phraya, Amphoe Khao Chakan, Amphoe Wang Nam Yen, Amphoe Khlong Hat, King Amphoe Khok Sung, and King Amphoe Wang Somboon.
Geographical Location
Sa Kaeo has its border facing Cambodia of approximately 165 kilometres. Generally, the area varies from plains to highlands. Highlands and mountains are in the north where Pang Sida National Park is located, while the south is covered with wavy plains and hills. Also, there are evergreen forests along the Chanthaburi mountain range. In the central, there are plains and hills, with Amphoe Watthana Nakhon as the highest area when compared to the other Amphoe Mueang in the west, and Amphoe Aranyaprathet in the east.
How To Get There
Car
From Bangkok, use Phahonyothin Highway to Rangsit, use overpass to Highway No.305, pass Amphoe Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok, after that use Highway No.33, pass Amphoe Kabin Buri to Sa Kaeo. Total distance is 214 kilometres.
From Bangkok, use Highway No.1 to Hin Kong, turn right to Highway No.33, pass Nakhon Nayok, Kabin Buri to Sa Kaeo. Total distance is 245 kilometres.
From Bangkok, use Highway No.304, pass Min Buri, Chachoengsao to Amphoe Phanom Sarakham, turn right at 35th kilometre, use Highway No. 304 to Kabin Buri. At 95th kilometre, turn right again to Highway No.33 to Sa Kaeo.
Bus
By bus :The Transport Co.,Ltd. provides bus services both ordinary and air-conditioned. Leave from Mo Chit Bus Terminal 2 everyday. For more details, please contact at Tel: 936-2852. There are two air-conditioned bus routes:
Route Bangkok Hin Kong Nakhon Nayok Sa Kaeo Aranyaprathet
First class bus leaves at 04:30 hrs., next bus at every 1 hour, last bus leaves 18:00 hrs. The fare is 135 Baht.
Second class bus leaves at 05:00 hrs., next bus at every 1 hour, last bus leaves 18:30 hrs. The fare is 118 Baht.
Route Bangkok Ongkharak Nakhon Nayok - Sa Kaeo Aranyaprathet
First class bus leaves at 04:45 hrs., next bus at every 1 hour, last bus leaves 18:30 hrs. The fare is 118 Baht.
Second class bus leaves at 05:00 hrs., next bus at every 1 hour, last bus leaves 18:45 hrs. The fare is 95 Baht.
Train
By rail: State Railways of Thailand provides service from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok to Sa Kaeo and Aranyaprathet twice everyday, leaving at 05:55 and 13:05 hrs. The fare is 48 Baht / person. For more details, please contact Travel Service Unit at Tel: 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020
Festivals
Cantaloupe Day
Cantaloupe Day Held in Aranyaprathet in early April every year, there are many activities in relation to cantaloupes for visitors to the province to experience.
Eastern Cultural Fair and Sa Kaeo Red Cross Fair
Eastern Cultural Fair and Sa Kaeo Red Cross Fair These fairs are held in the middle of February every year. There are many traditional displays, processions, exhibitions and cultural entertainments.
Sa Kaeo Establishment Commemoration
Sa Kaeo Establishment Commemoration Being held every year in December, this special fair has many delightful events to offer. There are cultural and arts processions, including exhibitions of the local goods of the province.
Local Products
Artificial Flowers, Fruits, Aromatic incense sticks
Artificial Flowers, Fruits, Aromatic incense sticks are made at Ban Kaeng, Amphoe Muang.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe, A most typical fruit of the area and is grown and available in Wattana Nakhon.
Fruits
Suan Siriporn on Sa Kaeo Chantaburi highway, in Wang Nam Yen, is reputed for the variety of fruits
Suan Niran Grand of Wattana Nakhon is the site for many types of tangarines and fruits.
Khao Lam
Khao Lam, sticky rice in bamboo, a popular delicacy of the Wattana Nakhon.
Mother of Pearl Products
Mother of Pearl Products There are various styles which are made at Ban Hua Jode, Wattana Nakhon. Samples of the products are tables, frames, clocks, containers, etc.
Second-Hand Goods
Second-Hand Goods are available in Aranyaprathe and Talad Rong Kluea near Thai-Cambodian border.
Silk and Cotton Products
Silk and Cotton Products are available at Ban San Sai of Aranyaprathet.
Wood Products
Wood Products Many furniture and utensils made from various kinds of woods are on sale in Wang Nam Yen
Attractions
Aranyaprathet Victory Gate
Situated on the Thailand Cambodia border at Ban Khlong Luek, Tambon Tha Kham, the gate was constructed in 1939. The shape of the gate consists of two octagonal 15 metre towers, with the base used as the guarding area. These towers were destroyed by war. In 1959, the left tower was reconstructed in the same shape to commemorate the dead and injured soldiers. The right tower was altered to a huge marble heart-shaped boundary stone facing Cambodia, with the Garuda (mythical bird-man) image on top, and the name Thailand below.
Ban Khlong Luek Border Market
Ban Khlong Luek Border Market or Talat Rong Kluea is in Ban Khlong Luek, Tambon Tha Kham on Thailand Cambodia border, east to Aranyaprathet town about 6 kilometres, on Highway No.33 (Sa Kaeo Aranyaprathet). To get there from Aranyaprathet, a motored tricycle or tuk tuk can be hired at 20 baht. This market is a major business centre in trading goods from Cambodia and Vietnam such as clothes, brassware, ceramics, Russian electrical appliances, dried fish, etc. The market is open every day and it is crowded during weekend.
Traveling to Cambodia must apply for visa, which are divided into 2 categories:
Tourist Visa: US$ 20 per person for 30 days of staying, and can be extended once for another 30 days.
Business Visa: US$ 25 per person for 30 days of staying, and can be extended once for another 1 year.
The Aranyaprathet international immigration control is 500 metres from Talat Rong Kluea. Passport bearers can pass and travel to the third country with approved visa from the Cambodian Embassy or Consulate. This is the shortest way to travel in Cambodia. There are vans, pick-up trucks for rental service to Poipet, Siam Riap
Phra Siam Thewathirat
Located in front of Aranyaprathet Police Station, with the height of 1.29 metres, this is the imitation of the real Phra Siam Thewathirat, built by Phra Uthai Thammathari in 1975. The people of Aranyaprathet constructed a throne with four posts to house the image on December 20, 1985. This sacred image has been worshipped by the people of Aranyaprathet and nearby provinces.
Prasat Khao Noi
This site is situated in Wat Khao Noi Si Chomphu, Tambon Khlong Nam Sai, which is 12 kilometres to the south of the city. This ancient venue is on the 80 metre hill. With the stairs of 254 steps, this site is composed of three towers (prang). However, only the central one has been remained. It has been registered in year 1935 by the Department of Fine Arts as the national ancient site. Some sandstone lintels and statues were found, and they are now displayed at the Prachin Buri National Museum.
Wat Anu Banphot
This temple is located in Moo 2, Tambon Ban Mai Nong Sai. It is on Thana Withi Road (to Amphoe Ta Phraya) about 1 kilometre detour from Suwannason Road. It was built in 1925 during the reign of King Rama VI. The highlight of this temple is the beautiful chapel (ubosoth) which houses the imitation of Lord Buddha's footprint made from brass.
Khao Chakan
This mountain is about 17 kilometres from the city, on highway no.317 (Sa Kaeo Chanthaburi) between 131st-132nd kilometres. The highest point is about 240 metres. There are 72 interesting caves. On the foot of the mount, is the location of Wat Khao Chakan and a botanical garden. There are stairs to the top which is a good viewpoint.
Pang Sida National Park
Covering the area in Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Wattana Nakhon, Amphoe Ta Phraya of Sa Kaeo and Amphoe Na Di of Prachin Buri, the Park occupies an area of 844 square kilometres or 527,500 Rai. It has been declared a national park on February 24. 1982. The topography of the area consists of complex highlands with various and diversified forests, and an abundant of wild and rare animals. The area is the origin of many creeks which form the Bang Pakong River. The major attractions in the park are:
Namtok Pang Sida (Pang Sida Waterfall) The waterfall is approximately 800 metres from the park office. With a large pond below the 10 metre waterfall, the surroundings are very shady, with much water during the rainy season.
Namtok Pha Takhian About 3 kilometres from the park office, and about 2.5 kilometres from Namtok Pang Sida, the 10 metre waterfall can be reached by 2 trekking trails which are suitable for nature study.
Tha Krabak Reservoir Built under H.M.the Kings project to improve the irrigation, the reservoir is located in Moo 7 Tambon Tha Yaek, about 32 kilometres from town. It is a dam that is 17.50 metres high, and 720 metres long, surrounded by various kinds of forests. Its spectacular views are most suitable for relaxation.
Tha Krabak Waterfall This waterfall is near the reservoir, with 3 levels which are 400-500 metres apart.Khwae Makha Waterfall Khwae Makha Waterfall is about 6 kilometres from the 40th kilometre. It is approximately 70 metres high. The trail is suitable for trekking. Nearby, there are various waterfalls located at different distances from Kwae Maka Waterfall. These waterfalls are Rak Sai Yoi Waterfall (500 metres), Lan Hin Yai Waterfall (1.5 kilometres), Suan Man and Suan Thong Waterfalls (3 kilometres), Man Thara Waterfall ( 4 kilometres ). To discover these waterfalls, you might need to spend 2-3 days because they are located deep into the forest.
Tham Khang Khao Waterfall The waterfall can be reached by a walking distance of about 10 kilometres from the 22th kilometre. There are many bats living in this area.
View Point Situated in the huge valley at the 25th and 35th kilometres, sunrise and sunset can be watched here at this view point.
Fresh Water Crocodile From the park office about 5 kilometres, to Moo Ban Khlong Phak Khom- Thung Pho for about 50 kilometres, this source in Huai Nam Yen Forest, has been surveyed since 1991.
Accommodation The National Park has house renting service at 500-600 Baht per night. Tent area is also available at the rate of 5 Baht/person/night. For more details, contact Pang Sida National Park, P.O.Box 55, Tambon Tha Yaek, Amphoe Muang, Sa Kaeo 27000, Tel: 0 1947 5948 or National Park Div., Dept. of Forestry, Bangkhen, Bangkok at Tel: 0 2561 4292 ext. 724, 725, or 0 2579 5734, 0 2579 7223.
Traveling By Car: From town, heading north by using Highway No.3462 about 27 kilometres, the National Park is on the right. If tourists need to travel by public transportation, they can use mini-cab route Sa Kaeo Ban Khlong Nam Khiao for about 27 kilometres to the park office. Another route is by train (Bangkok Aranyaprathet), getting off at Sa Kaeo Station, then use mini-cab as mentioned above.
Sa Kaeo - Sa Khwan
These two ponds are located in Tambon Sa Kaeo on the western side of town. Before approaching the city, turn right at 246th kilometre. It is believed that these two ponds contain sacred water once used for the coronation ceremony. The name of the province (Sa Kaeo) had been derived from this venue, whereby Somdej Chaophraya Maha Kasatsuk (King Rama I later) went to fight with the Cambodians, and stopped at this site to use sacred water to swear for the fighting courage.
La-lu
Located at Ban Khlong Yang, Tambon Thap Rat, this venue is a large area about 800 acres with many earth pillars in various shapes like the ones in Phrae Province. They are indeed an amazingly beautiful site of nature wonder. At Ban Khlong Yang, home-stay trip is available.
Prasat Khao Lon
This temple is on Khao lon in Ban Charoen Suk, Tambon Thappharat. The architectural style of this site is similar to that of Prasat Khao Noi. There were four towers (prang). However, only the central one is still existed. To the northeastern part of the temple are two large ponds which are connected to the temple by an ancient roadway. Traveling to this temple is by using highway No.3068 (Ta Phraya Buri Ram), and then turning left to Ban Charoen Suk. It is about 28 kilometres from Ta Phraya.
Ta Phraya National Park
The Ta Phraya National Park was declared a National Park in 1996. The park covers an area of 371,250 rai (equivalent to 594 sq.km.). The area surrounding the park and the boundary of the park form a straight line connecting Pangsida National Park from the west to Cambodia in the east. In the north, the park is connected to Tab Lan National Park and Burirum province. This is also where the administrative offices of the park are located.
The general landscape of the park is a plain area surrounded by hilly tracks. The major hill track of the park is the Bantad hill track, which stretches eastward as a natural boundary line separating Thailand and Cambodia. Hillside areas a botanical plain, with a tropical forest in pristine condition made up of many tree varieties.
The park is a major water source, and numerous streams and rivers have their origins here. It is also home to various kinds of animals such as Gaur, deer, wild pig, Antelope, and more than 300 different species of birds.
Ta Phraya National Park can be reached by driving along National Highway No.33, passing through Sa Kaeo province and Wattana Nakhon district. After reaching Aranyaprathet district, turn left onto National Highway No.27. The road to the park is a 13-km-long non-surfaced road. 4WD vehicles are recommended.
Those interested in studying nature, please contact the office of Ta Phraya National Park directly at P.O. Box 20, Tambon Thaprat, Amphoe Ta Phraya, Sa Kaeo Province, 27180. Tel 0 1470 5210 (please contact the office 15 days in advance)
Chong Klam Bon Wildlife Breeding Station
Located at Tambon Nong Mak Fai, this site has the area of approximately 430 Rai. The accessibility to this area is by using the same route to Pang Sida National Park, pass Tha Krabak Reservoir for about 500 metres, turn left for about 3 kilometres. Under Wildlife Sanctuary Bureau of Forestry Department, this sanctuary has been established in 1983, initiated by H.M.the Queen Sirikit to conserve rare and wild animals, such as wild birds and mammals. This sanctuary also conducts studies and researches on wild animals, and disseminates information, and knowledge in wildlife.
Continue reading here: Lampang Province
Was this article helpful?