Isan Province Profile

Sakon Nakorn

Sakon Nakorn, the ancient Khmer town formerly known as ‘Nong Han Luang’, is now an important Buddhist religious center that contains a very sacred Buddha relic and many forest temple retreats for meditation founded by a highly revered, deceased Buddhist monk, considered to be the greatest teacher of all monks. Situated in the upper northeastern region among the Phu Pan mountain ranges, it is also a land of natural beauty comprised of green, overlapping hills. The lifestyle of the people around the town provides an interesting insight of the local Thais and the Thai So group.

sakon nakorn map

Provincial Attractions

Wat Phrathat Choengchum is the most sacred, ancient structure in Sakon Nakorn , Phrathat Cheongchum (Choengchum Relics) are kept within a whitewashed, square-shaped, brick chedi with a golden cap, built during the Ayutthaya period. Also within the 24-m, Lao-style chedi are 4 of Buddha’s Footprints. The beautiful temple complex also houses a large bot and wiharn (prayer hall) and a 10th century Khmer prang (tower). An ancient Khmer inscription is etched into the prang’s base. Encircling the base are Buddha images of Lao and Khmer-styles. The chapel houses the holy Luang Pho Ong Saen Buddha image.

Nong Harn is a very relaxing spot in the city. The large, freshwater lake is the province’s major agricultural and fishery center, whose shorefront has been developed into the Somdej Sri Nakarin Park, popular with locals and visitors. Rental boats are available for paddling to the scenic island in the middle of the lake, which is the origin of an ancient Isan (northeastern) folk tale. In addition, there is Sa Phang Thong, an ancient pool believed to have been constructed at the same time as Phrathat Choengchum.

Phu Pan National Park lies about 25 km from town and contains beautiful natural surroundings, including a scenic road that passes through the overlapping mountains of Sakon Nakorn, Nakorn Phanom, and Kalasin. Within the park is the Phu Pan Royal Palace where the royal family resides while visiting the northeastern region. Other interesting sites include Khum Hoi Falls, the largest kilometer post marker at Kong Ping Ngu (Snake-Pike Bends), Lan Sao Ae, and the Buddha image etched into a cliff wall at Phu Payon (Payon Hill).
The Thai So Museum contains an interesting comparison of the Thai So and Thai scripts. The museum also features a collection of common household products used by the Thai So people that earlier emigrated from the eastern side of the Mekong River. Within the museum is the sacred structure housing Pu Mahasak, a deceased Buddhist monk who is still highly revered by the Thai So people.

Phra That Phu Pek is a sandstone 12-13th century chedi housing located at the summit of Phu Pek Mountain, within the Phu Pan mountain ranges. The double-layered, square-shaped, 7m tall chedi appears unfinished because it lacks a roof and a pinnacle. Legend has it that a competition arose between a man building this chedi and a female constructing the chedi for the Phra That Narai Cheng Weng for housing the holy relic of part of Buddha’s rib cage. But the man terminated his work upon seeing the Pek star in the sky; a deceit conjured up by the female.

Wat Phra That Narai Cheng Weng is located within the city. Queen Cheng Weng commissioned the construction which contains a five-layered, 12th century Khmer prang (tower) and a sandstone pagoda on a laterite base. The lintels, doorways, and windows contain intricate stone engravings that have been well preserved to this day. It is believed the queen built the compound in a competition with the men who built Phra That Phu Pek. Narai is a Khmer and Thai word for Vishnu, the most powerful Hindu god.

Festivals

Wax Castle & Boat Racing Festival celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa) in October. People in Isan mold beeswax into miniature Buddhist temples and shrines (wax castles) in order to gain merit, which will determine their future rebirth. These crafted models can be witnessed in Sakon Nakorn where there is an annual festival with a grand wax castle procession, competitive boat racing as well as traditional northeastern cultural performances among many other festivities.