Day 3 - Thursday 23 November

Paradise Residence........photo. Paradise Residence has provided a comfortable stopover in Chaiyaphum. While we’re on tour like this, all we need is that and the conveniences without the need to compromise. That means a good wifi signal and facilities to keep my equipment running. While there is no restaurant at this residence we always allow for that and manage something. All I can say is that this establishment ticks all my boxes and at the price is excellent value.
After last night’s late arrival, I’m pleased to say Katoon concurs that there is no rush to make a start. In any case not too much has been agreed regarding an itinerary for the day. It’s no surprise that Chaiyaphum as a city is off the radar. There is little here for the tourist. I will be surprised if I’m still in the city after lunch but by the time we depart it’s already 10.30am. To find anything of interest I need to turn back the clock.
Chao Pho Phraya Lae Monument........Google Map Sited prominently in the centre of the roundabout at the main intersection in the town, the Chao Pho Phraya Lae Monument commemorates a local hero. Chao Pho Phraya played an important part in repelling an invading army from Vientiane during the reign of Rama III but was killed defending his city. His support for the Siamese army earned him his title and the respect of his people. The current memorial was erected in 1975.
Prang Ku........Google Map Located a kilometre east of the city centre, Prang Ku is a Khmer sanctuary built in the early 13th century during the reign of Jayavaman VIII. It consists of a laterite tower surrounded by a rectangular enclosure with the entrance facing east. In the northeast corner is a pond lined with laterite. Prang Ku is small by any measure of Khmer architecture but typical of at least 100 minor provincial sites identified around the former Khmer Empire stretching as far as Kanchanaburi province. With just 30 minutes expended that’s about all I can find to report on here. Scouring the maps, all I can find is a small museum called Namnak Khiao a short drive from Prang Ku. I notice that the site has no reviews and when I home in on it via GPS, nobody’s heard of it. Hello Google…please delete!!! It’s time to head north.

Farmsook Organic Farm........Google Map With final preparations completed including topping up the tank we’re on our way. Initially I take the driving. With hardly a full itinerary today I’m open to any attraction that may appear, well aware that the maps are often incomplete or out of date. I notice a sign for an eco farm. Enterprise in farming often produces some surprising results in Thailand.
Unfortunately from the junction the signage is poor and we waste unnecessary time. There is a sign to Farmsook but that is not replicated on the main road. However the excursion along a dirt road produces a fine example of that enterprise. Based on animal husbandry there is a surprising number of activities for the casual visitor with catering in cute and totally natural surroundings including dining amongst the straw bales. It’s a great venue for using a camera and the climate is perfect but after half an hour, it’s time to move on......more.

Mo Hin Khao........Google Map Unlike the previous location, Mo Hin Khao is well signposted along highway 4051. That’s not surprising as Mo Hin Khao, known as the ‘Stonehenge’ of Thailand has both geological and religious significance. However the massive stone blocks here are made of sedimentary rock formed during the Jurassic – Cretaceous periods 195 – 65 million years ago rather than stones moved though human activity......more.
Arriving at the site there is no admission fee to view the stones which are just a part of an area of interesting geology. The group of five stones, all having individual names create a spectacular photo opportunity that has lead to mass publication on postcards, brochures and tour magazines. It’s fair to say that Mo Hin Khao along with Prang Pu and the wild tulip fields are the top tourist attractions in Chaiyaphum. For me it’s the most impressive site so far on this tour but until I arrived here I hadn’t realised there was more here than the five standing stones. The signboards indicate a further five sites. Just a little further along the road are three groups known as Pagoda stone, Elephant stone and Lan Hin Ton Sai (basically a group among trees). A further group, the Million Years Stone Park is more difficult to reach along a bad road. The fifth site, Pah Hua Nak, I’m describing separately.

Pha Hua Nak Viewpoint........Google Map While access to the aforementioned stone parks is free, there is a fee for foreigners to reach the viewpoint, although a modest 100 baht. Just 1,200 metres from the stone park you are given access to some of the most spectacular views from cliffs I have come across in Thailand. The views eastward from over 900 metres above sea level, across a broad horseshoe valley to another range, are quite spectacular.

Khuean Lang and Khuean Bon........Google Map Unlike yesterday’s visit to a remote site there’s still plenty of time to add more locations to this tour. We head back down the valley which supports two reservoirs, Khuean Lang and Khuean Bon named after the earth dams that have been created. Unfortunately both are hard to find but we manage to locate Khuean Lang alone a dirt road. Katoon thinks she’s spotted the road to Khuean Bon but as neither of these dams have any comparison with Pa Sak Jolisid I’d rather press on. After a heated debate I suggest Katoon now does the driving. As we press on I realise there is no simple route eastward out of the valley and that reaching Khuean Bon could actually have provided a short cut. In the event after a half hours drive we’ve only managed to reach the eastern side of the valley with the reservoirs still in view. With Khuean Bon now accessible there is a temptation to reach it but there’s no way of knowing how far it is. Now at 4.30, a final site visit now looks unlikely and need to head east out of the valley.

Phu Khiao........By 5am we manage to connect with highway 201 near Kaeng Khro and head north. Effectively that means we will be staying in Chaiyaphum province tonight even though we’re close to the provincial border with Khon Kaen. At around 5.30pm we’ve reached the border town of Phu Khiao where it seems clear that reaching here was in Katoon’s mind all along. She had already travelled here this year with a friend for a funeral. Although light is rapidly fading and Katoon taking a little time to get her bearings, we make it to Hueanmaisak Resort where she stayed before, beautifully located near the Phak Pang Lake. Wasting no time in settling in we’re soon out around the lake to a steak restaurant where a Thai version of fish and chips is amazing albeit not that much less than I paid the 500 baht for the room. Altogether the day has been light on my budget but I’ve been light on my blog. It’s after 10pm and the words are just not flowing. Hopefully I’ll make better progress in the morning....more.... Next Page