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Sisaket Province
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Sisaket (transliteration of Chinese character "???", literally means "Four colours chrysanthemum"), is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Surin, Roi Et, Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani. To the south it borders Oddar Meancheay and Preah Vihear of Cambodia.
province is located in the valley of the Mun river, a tributary of the Mekong. To the south of the province is the Dângręk mountain chain, which also forms the boundary to Cambodia.
Khao Phra Wihan National Park covers an area of 130 km˛ of the Dângręk mountains in the southeast of the province.
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Encyclopedia
Sisaket (transliteration of Chinese character "???", literally means "Four colours chrysanthemum"), is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Surin, Roi Et, Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani. To the south it borders Oddar Meancheay and Preah Vihear of Cambodia.
Geography
The province is located in the valley of the Mun river, a tributary of the Mekong. To the south of the province is the Dângręk mountain chain, which also forms the boundary to Cambodia.
Khao Phra Wihan National Park covers an area of 130 km˛ of the Dângręk mountains in the southeast of the province. It was established on March 20, 1998. It is named after the Khmer temple Prasat Preah Vihear (Anglicized in Thailand as Prasat Khao Phra Wihan), located in Cambodia, which had been the issue of boundary dispute between the two countries and was thus unaccessible for most of recent history.
At the boundary survey done by France for the Franco-Siamese treaty of 1907, despite the geographical divide of Dângręk Mountains's watershed, the temple was left on the French (Cambodian) side, while the boundary in other parts followed the watershed. In 1962 the dispute was officially settled by the International Court of Justice, confirming the 1907 boundary.
History
Due to the many ruins found in the province the area must have been an important settlement already in the times of the Khmer empire in the 12th century. According to local tradition it was called Sri Nakorn Lamduan at that time, later it became known as Khukhan. Khukhan was made a town during the reign of King Boromaratcha III. In the northern area controlled by Khukhan Lao began to settle, which in 1786 was made the separate town Sisaket dependend on Khukhan. 1904 the town Sisaket was renamed Khukhan, while the old town got the name Huai Nua. 1912 Monthon Udon Thani was created, which took over most of the administration of the area. When in 1933 the monthon were dissolved, the province Khukhan was again directly administrated from Bangkok. In 1938 the town and province was renamed to Sisaket, and the district which contained Huai Nua got back the name Khukhan.
Demographics
30% of the population are of the Khmer speaking minority while the majority is of the Laotian speaking people.
Symbols
| The provincial seal shows the Prasat Hin Ban Samo, a Khmer temple about 1000 years old, located in the Prang Ku district.
The symbol flower and tree of the province is the White Cheesewood (Melodorum fruticosum). The six leaves of the flower refer to the six original districts of the province - Khukhan, Kantharalak, Uthumphon Phisai, Kanthararom, Rasi Salai and Khun Han. |
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 22 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 206 subdistricts (tambon) and 2411 villages (muban).
Tourism
Sights
Wat Maha Buddharam. (??????????????) The Buddhist temple’s vihara houses ‘Luang Por To’ the sacred icon of Sisaket. Built during Khmer era over a thousand years ago, the statue was originally carved from stone and decorated later at unknown time.
Somdet Sri Nagarin Park. (????????????????????) With landscape of rolling hill, the park is nourished by two streams, Huay Poon Yai and Huay Poon Noi that meet north of the park. Here is rich of ‘Lamduan’ or Lamdman Tree, making it a nice place for botanical excursion.
Khun Ampai Panich Building. (?????????????????) The beautiful building belongs to Sisaket nobleman Khun Ampai Panich (In Naga-siharat). It is well renovated and preserved, and eventually won gold medal in the project of conversing urban architecture in 1987.
Phra That Ruang Rong. (???????????????) The temple’s architecture is the gracefully blending of art from four ethnic groups in Lower Northeast namely Lao, Suay, Khmer, and Yer. The 6-storey Phra That or stupa is 49 metres high.
Sra Kampaeng Noi Khmer Ruins. (??????????????????) The Khmer Ruins comprises laterite stupa and chapel with a big pond at front, all are in the embrace of laterite wall. In the 13th century, Bayon Architectural style was added. During such time, the ruins was called ‘Arokaya Sala’ to be served as community hospital.
Sra Kampaeng Yai Khmer Ruins. (??????????????????) It is the biggest and most perfect Khmer Ruins in the province. The Khmer Ruins comprises three stupas on the same base lining in North-South direction and facing east. It was served as shrine for God Shiva before changing into Mahayana Buddhist temple in 13th Century.
Huay Tap Tan Khmer Ruins or Ban Prasart Khmer Ruins. (???????????????? ???? ????????????????) It comprises 3 brick stupa on laterite base in North-South direction standing in the laterite walls with arch gates. There are carved lintel depicting the churning sea of milk lies in front of southern stupa.
Plang Ku Khmer Ruins. (???????????????) Stupa of this Khmer Ruins was built from gigantic-size. In front of Plang Ku is a big pond which is home to Anatidae which gather from February onwards.
Ban Samor Khmer Ruins. (?????????????) The small Khmer Ruins is located in Moo 2 Ban Tamchan, Tambon Samor. Built in the 13th Century, its stupa houses a carved statue.
Taleng Khmer Ruins. (????????????) features a single stupa standing on the base. The stupa has rectangular base facing east. Presently, only the front wall and some side walls remain.
Wat Pa Maha Jedi Kaeo (Wat Larn Kuad). ??????????????????? (??????????) the Buddhist temple is remarkable with architectures made from million of colourful glass bottles donated by the people. All the architecture is beautiful, particularly the pavilion called ‘Sala Thansmo Maha Jedikaeo’ Ubosoth located mid of the pond.
Tamnaksai Khmer Ruins (Tamchan Khmer Ruins) ??????????????? (????????????) has a single stupa on sandstone base. The brick stupa has rectangular shape and one real door at the east while the other three are fault doors with carved door frame on the brick
Namtok Samrong Kiat (Namtok Pisad) ????????????????? (??????????) Originated from Kantung Mount in Bantad Range, the medium size waterfall turns vibrant from late rainy season to winter, or September to February.
Namtok Huay Chan (Namtok Kantrom). ??????????????? (????????????) Originated from Phu Salao Mount on Bantad Range, the waterfall cascades beautifully before meeting with Moon River. The falls is vibrant from September to Frebruary.
Sisa Asoka. (?????????) is community model in self sufficiency, turning it back to capitalism and prefer Buddhism-devout lifestyle. Its remarkable success attracts organizations from nationwide to study its story.
Khao Phra Viharn National Park. (?????????????????????????) The park features dry evergreen forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest. It is home to numerous wildlife which roams between two countries such as wild hog, deer, barking deer, rabbit, squirrel, gibbon, civet.
Phra Viharn National Park features attractions and interesting activities including:
Mor E-Dang Cliff. One of the best bird’s eye view point of Northeast, the red-colour rock cliff is situated right on Thailand-Cambodia border.
Bas relief, carved on the red- sandstone cliff, depicts three gods in Khmer style. Khmer craftsmen probably practiced here first before the real carving at Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Double Stupas. Two sandstone stupas, or ‘Phra That’ for local people, in cube shape and round top are situated west or Mor E-Dang Cliff. The stupas houses things that mirror prosperity of such period.
Don Tuan Khmer Ruins. Built during the 10th -11th Century, the Khmer Ruins in Ban Phume Sarol is located 300 metres from Thailand-Cambodia border.
Sra Trao or Huay Trao. The stream runs through rock plain foot of Preah Vihear Mount, before running through subterranean tunnel strengthened by rock walls. It is assumed that such low land is Barai or Khmer’s reservoir.
Namtok and Tham Khun Sri. The three-tier waterfall, above the cave, is situated west of Sra trao close to trail to Phreah Vihear. And Khun Sri Cave in gigantic size was believed once was accommodation of Khun Sri, noble man who controlled rock cutting at Sra Trao for constructing Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Chong Arn Ma. The border check point between Thailand and Cambodia is in Tambon Song, Amphoe Nam Yuen, Ubon Ratchathani.
Preah Vihear Sanctuary. (?????????????????) The cliff-top Khmer sanctuary once belonged to Thailand. It was enlisted as an antique architecture by the Fine Arts Department and with announcement in the Royal Gazette on October 11, 1940. After the World Court ruling on July 15, 1962, the sanctuary belongs to Cambodia until now.
Namtok Phu La-or. (???????????) Situated in Phanom Dongrak Wildlife Sanctuary, Tambon Sao Thongchai, the small waterfall turns vibrant during September to February.
Fruit Orchard of Sisaket. (??????????????????????????????????) Some 5 km from Amphoe Kantaralak, on the right of highway 226 (Kantaralak-Pha Mor E-Dang) there is a 20-km (16 km on asphalt road) cutting through villages. These villages are significant fruit producers of Sisaket. Their major products include rambutan, durian, lanson, mangosteen, stink beam and rubber.
Local Products
Local products and souvenirs
Sisaket is famed for silk and cotton cloths woven in ‘Khit’ pattern, which are mainly produced in Amphoe Bung Boon and Uthumporn Pisai. Delicate basketry and wooden works such as water holder, replica cart are available on Rachakarn Rodfai Rd. Saltened egg from Amphoe Prai Bung, red onion, garlic, and preserved garlic in honey are generally available. Sisaket is also famed for its torpicla fruit. Fruit orchards in Amphoe Kantaralak always bear fruit, such as durian, rambutan, and mangsteen, from May to July. And quality of the fruit here is as good as from the east of Thailand.
Culture
Festivals
Dok Lamduan Festivals. (?????????????????) Held annually between March 15-17 at Somdet Sri Nagarin Park when lamdman trees in the park are in full bloom, The fair comprises cultural performance of four local ethnic groups namely Khmer, Suay, Lao, and Yer. Fair goer can enjoy selecting handicrafts, local products, and watching performance of Sisaket’s history.
Sisaket’s Rambutan and Durian Fair. (????????????????????????????) The fair is held every June at the field before Amphoe Kantaralak or Amphoe Khun Harn. Fair goer can enjoy the big sales of fruits from Sisaket such as rambutan, durian, lanson, mangosteen, stink beam and rubber, flower floats, documentary exhibition, and fruit tasting caravan.
Half and Quarter Marathon to Mor E-Dang. (?????????????????????????????????????????????????) Held annually on the third Sunday of December, the half and quarter marathon will start from Ban Phume Sarol to Mor E-Dang Cliff, on the way to Preah Vihear. This uphill and foggy route to the border is quite challenging route which can attracts lots of runner.
External links
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