From Wikitravel

Amnat Charoen is in Isaan.

Amnat Charoen (อำนาจเจริญ) is the provincial capital of Amnat Charoen Province.

[edit] Understand

Amnat Charoen is part of lower Northeast region. The province acquires total area of 3,161 square kilometres. Its eastern boundary, at Amphoe Chanuman, is next to Mekong River. The community was firstly established during the reign of King Rama III of Rattanakosin some two centuries ago. Amnat Charoen has been part of Ubon Ratchathani until it was upgraded into province on December 1, 1993. Although it is a small and tranquil town, Amnat Charoen has various attractions distributing in different Amphoe. Visitors to Amnat Charoen can stroll around to witness sacred Buddha images, picturesque rice paddies and fruit orchards, rocky rapids of Mekong River in dry season, and excellent handicrafts particularly silk.

[edit] Districts

The province comprises 7 amphoe:- Chanuman; Hua Taphan; Lue Amnat; Mueang Amnat Charoen; Pathum Ratchawongsa; Phana; Senangkhanikhom.

Distance from Amphoe Muang to other Amphoes

• Lue Amnat 22 kms.
• Pathum Ratchawongsa 32 kms.
• Hua Taphan 35 kms.
• Phana 47 kms.
• Chanuman 78 kms.
• Senangkhanikhom 81 kms.

[edit] Cities

• Amnat Charoen - the provincial capital

[edit] Boundary

• North - Connects to Amphoe Loeng Nok Tha of Yasothorn and Amphoe Don Tan of Mukdaharn.
• East - Connects to Lao PDR, and Amphoe Khemarat, Kut Khao Pun, and Trakan Phuet Phonl of Ubon Ratchathani.
• West - Connects to Amphoe Loeng Nok Tha and Pa Tio of Yasothon.
• South - Connects to Amphoe Mueang and Amphoe Muang Sam Sip of Ubon Ratchathani.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

From Bangkok, head north via highway 1 then highway 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima. After that take highway 226, Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin, then highway 214, Surin-Amphoe Suwannaphum, turn right into highway 202 via Yasothon and Amphoe Pa tio to Amnat Charoen. This route is totally 585 kilometres. Or motorist can take highway 1, 2, then highway 226, Nakhon Ratchasima-Ubon Ratchathani, and highway 212 to Amnat Charoen. This route is 704 kilometres long.

[edit] By bus

Scheduled buses and air-conditioning coaches leave Northeastern Bus terminal Mo Chit 2, Kamphaeng Phet Road, for Amnat Charoen daily.

For more information, call 0-2936-2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th

Tourist who travels by plane or train can head for Ubon Ratchathani first, then take bus to Amnat Charoen, 75 kms away.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Amphoe Mueang Amnat Charoen

Buddha Park and Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang. พุทธอุทยาน และพระมงคลมิ่งเมือง The park and the Buddha images are located at Khao Dan Phra Bat, Tambon Bung, on highway 212, some 3 kilometres from Amnat Charoen city. This base rock area is shady with different kinds of vegetables decorated under the theme of ‘Buddha Park’. Inside, a huge Buddha image, Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang or Phra Yai, is placed in front of the temple.

Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang, the Buddha image in the attitude of Subduing Mara. Designed by Chitr Buabud in 1965, the 20 metre-tall Buddha image was built in Northern Indian style, by steel reinforced concrete over the old one and decorated with golden mosaic. This beautiful Buddha image is now logo of Amnat Charoen province.

Back of Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang, there are two Buddha images in weird shape. They are named Phra Lahai, or Phra Khilai by the locals, which means ‘not beautiful’. These ancient Buddha images are found in 1962 during construction of the pond’s bank. However, the locals believe they bring good luck and always come to worship.

Chidsakol Farm สวนเกษตรชิตสกนต์ Located close to Chidsakol Resort, the famous farm features flower and beautiful plants. Its huge plantation of African marigold always turn the whole field into bright yellow hue when in full bloom. Visitor to the farm can join activities such as taking care of the plantation or cut flowers.

Wat Tham Saeng Phet. วัดถ้ำแสงเพชร The temple is located on Amnat Charoen-Khemarat Road, 18 kilometres from the city, and 2 kilometres off the main road uphill. Located on spacious sandstone plain, the temple has vihara, pagoda, and huge reclining Buddha. North of the vihara is a big cave housing a beautiful Buddha image. Tourist can walk around to enjoy rock formation of Sala Phun Hong. This cave is named Saeng Phet or ‘diamond’s glitters’ due to its flashing glitter rock. Wat Tham Saeng Phet is meditation centre of those who honour Achan Cha Suphatto, famous monk from Wat Nong Pa Phong. Foreign monks always come for practicing mediation here.

Mo Lam Village. หมู่บ้านหมอลำ The cultural attraction of Amnat Charoen is situated at Tambon Pla Khao, 20 kilometres from Amnat Charoen City. Mo Lam is famous traditional performance of Northeast Thailand. Performance features dancing and playing traditional music. Ban Pla Khao Village found by Phu Thai ethnic group some 200 years ago. Here is the biggest Mo Lam village of Thailand, with 20 bans of Mo Lam living in the village. Besides conserving the traditional performance, some bans have developed into contemporary style. They perform countrywide and earn lots of money. Mo Lam performance of Ban Pla Khao is awarded Amnat Charoen’s OTOP (One Tambon One Product).

[edit] Amphoe Hua Taphan

Ban Kham Phra Handicraft Centre. ศูนย์จำหน่ายหัตถกรรมบ้านคำพระ The centre is located at Ban Kham Phra, on Hua Taphan-Amnat Charoen highway, 2 kilometres from Amphoe Hua Taphan’s Office. The centre offers various handicrafts made by housewife. “Khit”, hand woven cloth with delicate pattern, and handicrafts made from the beautiful fabric are available. Tourist can watch the production demonstration and enjoy great selection of the products.

Ban Chang Tho Royal Folk Arts and Craft Training Centre.ศูนย์ศิลปาชีพบ้านสร้างถ่อ Located 5 kilometres from Amphoe Hua Taphan, the centre offers training course on various local crafts such as weaving and gems cutting. The centre here produces world-class gems cutting technician. Tourist can enjoy witness the production process and wide selections of products. Amphoe Phana

Wat Phra Lao Thep Nimit. วัดพระเหลาเทพนิมิตร Situated on highway 2134, 2 kms from Amphoe Phana, the temple has Lanna-style chapel which houses the principle Buddha image “Phra Lao Thep Nimit”. Built in 1720, the Buddha image, in subduing Mara attitude decorated by gold leaves, is considered the most beautiful Buddha image of Northeast Region. The art style mirrors Laotian art style from Vientiane which is influenced by Lanna during the 16th-17th Century. The Buddha image was probably built a bit after such period, assumed from appearance of local art style such as face pattern, higher flame over the head, lap and feet which are similar to art style found in wooden and bronze Buddha statue from the 18th -19th Century.

Don Chao Pu Botanical Park วนอุทยานดอนเจ้าปู่ Located 40 kilometres from Amnat Charoen city, the park acquires 260 rais area of mixed deciduous forest. The park is home to various wildlife particularly crab-eating macaques, plenty of which can be easily spotted. The park houses a sacred shrine, as well as Buddha image in the attitude of birth, enlightenment, the first sermon, and reclining in the park.

[edit] Amphoe Senangkhanikhom

Phu Sa Dok Bua. ภูสระดอกบัว Situated in Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park, the 423 metres high mountain borders three provinces namely Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan, and Yasothon. The park’s headquarter is located in Amphoe Don Tan of Mukdahan. On the mountain top, there are 11 stone pools, which is a few metres wide. It is quite strange that all of them are occupied by different species of colourful lotus, which is found normally in swamp. Locals insist that nobody plant the lotus, but all come naturally. So, they name these pools “Phu Sa Dok Bua” or literally the mountain of lotus pool. Nearby is a huge cave which can accommodate hundred of people. It once served as stronghold of Communist Party of Thailand.

Visitors who plan for trekking trip can ask Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park for more information at 0-4261-9077, The Department of National Park 0-2562-0760 or www.dnp.go.th or Mukdaharn Forestry Office at 0-4261-1757.

[edit] Amphoe Chanuman

Mekong River’s scenery. ทิวทัศน์ริมฝั่งโขง Amphoe Chanuman has 38 kilometres long border is attached to the mighty Mekong River which craves impressive scenery. In front of Amphoe Chanuman office, long footpath running side by side with the river allows people to enjoy the view. In dry season, from February to May, water in Mekong River descends, and allows islands to appear. Such famous islands include Kaeng Tanglang at Si Sombun Village, close to Amphoe Chanuman, and Kaeng Hin Khan at Ban Hin Khan, 30 kilometres south of Amphoe Chanuman.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Festival

Amnat Charoen attach their lifestyle to local tradition and festivals that are held throughout year such as festival to mark the end of Buddhist’s Lent, Rocket festival, Loi Krathong, and Songkran for example. Moreover, they practice 14 moral regulations such as cleaning feet before getting inside the house, donating food to the monk, avoiding to step of monk’s shadow, paying respect to the parent, paying homage to the Buddha image with flower, candle and joss stick, and learning Dhamma everyday and etc. Amnat Charoen is well known for its silk products. The famous silk production bases include Ban Chan Lan and Ban Soi of Amphoe Phana, Ban Pueai, Ban Hua Dong, and Ban Nam Thuam of Amphoe Lue Amnat.

Most people in Amphoe Chanuman are descendant of Phu Thai ethnic group that migrated from Lao. They specialise in weaving “Khit” cloth which has unique patterns. Their traditional musical performance “Mo Lam” always support the democratic constitutional monarchy. Amnat Charoen people is trying to retain “Long Khuang” tradition. The traditional once was meeting time between teenagers to do activities together such as weaving or silk spinning, among lively traditional music.

Boat Race Tradition. ประเพณีการแข่งเรือยาว Held every November, the boat race is a big tournament for boat from Amphoe Khemarat of Ubon Ratchathani, Amphoe Chanuman of Amnat Charoen, and Lao. The race takes place in Mekong River, in front of Amphoe Chanuman’s office. The fair goer can enjoy the race at day and shopping and entertainment at night.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Amphoe Mueang Amnat Charoen

• Chitsakon Resort (ชิตสกนต์ รีสอร์ท) 42 Mu 3 Amnat-Khemmarat Road, Tambon Bung, Tel. 0 4551 1500-1. 37 rooms, 250-1,200 baht.
• Thong Thawi Lakeside Resort (ทองทวี เลคไซด์ รีสอร์ท) 149 Mu 5, Tambon Bung, Tel. 0 4527 0226-14. 14 rooms, 200-400 baht.

[edit] Amphoe Mueang Nong Bua Lam Phu

• Nattaphong Grand (ณัฐพงษ์ แกรนด์) 339 Nong Bua Lam Phu-Udon Thani Road, Tel. 0 4236 1199. 32 rooms, 400-1,000 baht.
• Kinnari (กินรี) 274 Nong Bua Lam Phu-Udon Thani Road, Tel. 0 4236 0091. 19 rooms, 500 baht.

[edit] Amphoe Mueang Yasothon

• J.P. Emerald Hotel (เจ.พี. เอ็มเมอรัลด์ โฮเต็ล) 36 Prapha Road, Tel. 0 4272 4848-55.119 rooms, 800-1,650 baht.
• Yot Nakhon (ยศนคร) 143 Uthai Ramrit Road, Tel. 0 4571 1481, 0 4571 2662. 66 rooms, 220-400 baht.

[edit] Get out

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