The highly revered Phra Buddha Rup
Ong Dum Buddha image is housed at the provincial
principal temple of Wat Klang. The base of the image
is inscribed with
ancient
Thai writings. Whenever there is a drought, the
townspeople would carry the sacred image in an elaborate
procession to request rain.
Several Buddha images are located in beautiful
natural sites outside the city. On a cliff outside
of town are 2 Dvaravati-style Buddha images, the
Phra Buddha Satarn Phu Bor. The first image is situated
at the foot of the Bor Mountain, near the ascending
path, while the other image is at the top. The Buddha
image of Phra Buddha Saiyad is etched in the rock
wall underneath a cliff in Wat Buddha Mimitr. The
Buddha Sathan Phu Singh (Singh Hill Religious Site)
located at the top of Phu Singh Hill contains the
large Buddha image of Phra Pome Phumipalo.
Artifacts found at the Fah Dat Song Yang City indicate
the town was inhabited during prehistoric times
and prospered during the Dvaravati period (6th-11th
centuries). The ancient settlement was surrounded
by two layers of moats and the only surviving, distinguishable
remain is the Phra That Yakhu (Yaku Chedi).
Dinosaur fossils were recently found at the Phu
Kum Khao Dinosaur Fossils Area, the
largest area of its kind in Thailand, making it
a popular tourist attraction. Many fossils were
discovered among the rocky ground surface which
experts have determined to be mainly the Soropods,
a large herbivore with a long neck that existed
about 130 million years ago
Situated east of the dam, the Lam Pao Wildlife
Park (Sa-on Park) is an open zoo national park where
wild animals roam about in their natural habitats,
particularly the red bulls, which is used as the
park’s symbol.
Of particular interest at Kaeng Ka-am Waterfall
are the rapid that passes through a long, rocky
passage and a spacious, rocky plateau suitable for
relaxation.
Another fall in this vicinity is the Pha Savoey
Waterfall. Originally called Pha Rang
Raeng,
the name was changed in 1954 when H.M. the King
and the Queen stopped for lunch here while passed
the area. The name was then changed to Pha Savoey
(Royal Dining Cliff). The Pha Savoey is situated
on a high, steep cliff with a deep gorge down below,
offering a good view of the surrounding areas.
The Fah Mue Daeng (Red Palm Prints) Cave is located
on the Phu Pha Phueng mountain. The prehistoric
paintings of as many as 174 red palms were discovered
and received much public attention during 1973 and
1980, being the largest number of red palm paintings
found in the Kingdom of Thailand. Such paintings
are regarded as important historical evidences in
the search for lost accounts.
The area of Phu Khao Cave was formerly an important
religious place but presently, only the small temple
of Wat Buddha Nimit, housing the Phu Khao Reclining
Buddha, is of any significance. This Reclining Buddha
is different from other ones because it lies on
the left sideand because there is no finial. Legend
says that this Reclining Buddha was made during
the year 1,300-1,500. Generally revered by villagers,
a fair held to pay homage to the image takes place
during the Songkran Festival every year.
The Ban Phon Prae Wa Weaving Group produces fine,
delicate designs on predominantly red silk fabrics,
a specific art and craftmanship of Phuthai tribal
people. H.M. the Queen Sirikit has been promoting
this type of fabric until it is currently very popular.
more>>>