Isan Province Profile

Kalasin

Kalasin, the land of Pong Lang music, is an ancient city with many interesting historical sites. It is the site of the ancient city of Fa Daet Song Yang and one of the largest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in northeastern Thailand. In additon, the province is well known for its silk cloth with uniquely beautiful and intricate ‘phrae wa’ designs that can only be found here. The fabrics are hand-woven on traditional looms after undergoing many delicate ‘mutmee’ dying techniques.

kalasin map

Capital City Attractions

Culture & Tourism Promotion Center is located near Thirawat Hospital. It is a source to educate general interested persons with knowledge on local arts and folk cultures of Kalasin. The center also exhibits ways of life of the local people and of the northeasterners as well as to sell the selected items of Kalasin local products such as Phrae Wa fabric, Ponglang (Isan xylophones), and other kinds of local musical instruments.

Wat Klang is a monastery housing a Buddha image named Ong Dam which is cast in bronze. There are ancient Thai writings on the base and it is believed to have been cast in the period of Phra Chao Khu Na Kham. Phra Chaiyasunthon (King) brought it to be enshrined as an auspicious object of the town. It is regarded as very sacred Buddha image, and whenever there is a drought, the people of Kalasin will carry the statue in a procession begging for rain.

Provincial Attractions

Muang Fa Daet Song Yang contains the brick and earthen remains of an ancient city with a double layered moat. The city plan is of an oval shape of Dvaravati style. Farmers in the area always found sema stones, with and without designs, made of sand stone during their farm work. The number which has been registered at the Department of Fine Arts is 130 slabs. Buddha images are also found in the area showing the influence of the late Kupta craftsmanship, aging 1,000-2,000 years. Baked clay smoking pipes having the designs of Amaravati period, curling stems making the shape of dragon, and aging 7,000 years have also been discovered. The most outstanding item is the same type of smoking pipe but made of bronze, aging 5,000-6,000 years. This is confirmation that the bronze age of Suwannaphum began here before everywhere else in the world.

Festivals

Pong Lang, Phrae Wa and Red Cross Extravaganza is held in late February in front of the Provincial Hall. The fair features processions of the various districts decorated in the style of a Pong Lang, a northeastern musical instrument, and participants dressed in traditional costumes. In addition, there are a variety of local cultural performances and shops selling a wide range of goods.