A visit to museums, historical sites and temples in Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Nong Khai Provinces
Friday, 17 – Sunday, 19 February 2012
Leader: Khun Somlak Charoenpot, Member of the Siam Society and Advisor of Kamthieng House Museum
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Ban Chiang was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 and stands as one of the World’s earliest bronze producers. The Ban Chiang culture appears to have flourished from 3600 BC to AD 200 in the area now covered by the four provinces of Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Khon Kaen. In its earliest phase it lacked metallurgy, but was already characterised by the manufacture of highly distinctive ceramics. The chronology of Ban Chiang ceramic has been established by thermoluminescence dating, and maybe divided into three main periods: an early period from 3600 to 1000 BC; a middle period from 1000 to 300 BC; and a late period from 300 BC to AD 200.
Ban Chiang National Museum. Located on the northwest edge of the village, it has excellent displays of some of the many artifacts excavated in the area. In the grounds of Wat Pho Si Nai on the north-east side of Ban Chiang, one of the first excavations, carried out in 1972, has been preserved under a shelter. It contains pots, sherds and human skeletons.
Khon Kaen National Museum is one of the best museums in the north east Thailand. The museum contains a fine collection of 7-11 centuries Dvaravati terracotta heads of deities and architectural decorations and a remarkable assembly of Dvaravati stone Bai Sema, most of them from Muang Fa Daet Sung Yang in Kalasin province. The museum also contains numerous Buddha images in bronze, silver, gold and other sculptures of the Sri Vijara, Lop Buri, Sukhothai, U Thong, Ayutthaya and Bangkok periods.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is in Ban Phue district. It is a 500 sq. km. area on the top of a wooded hill, notable for its strangely shaped rocks, cave paintings and pleasant trails for hiking. At various sites in the park examples of rock art have been found. These suggest that there was human settlement here from an early date, possible as long ago as 3000 BC. The park is spread over a wide area and footpaths link the various sites and the trails for hiking.
Nong Khai is the border province lies on the bank of Mekong River. This formerly rather sleepy town is now a booming commercial center and the major transit point for trade with Laos. Along the river banks, there are many old temples, some houses and beautiful bronze images of the Buddha dated during 16-17 centuries.
Under the leadership of Khun Somlak Charoenpot, member of the Siam Society and Advisor of Kamthieng House Museum, The Siam Society will organize a study trip to visit above mentioned places in Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nong Khai provinces from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19 February 2012. Members will depart from BangkokSuvarnabhumi International Airport on Friday, 17 February by Thai Airways Intl. flight TG014 and return to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airportby Thai Airways Intl. flight TG015 on Sunday, 19 February at 09:15 p.m.
The tentative programme will be as follows:
Day 1: Friday, 17 February 2012 |
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| 05:15 p.m. | Meet the group at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Entrance Gate No.2) for Thai Airways domestic flights check-in counter. |
| 06:15 p.m. | Depart Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Intl. Airport by Thai Airways Intl. flight TG014 for Udon Thani province. |
| 07:20 p.m. | Arrive at Udon Thani Airport and proceed to Charoen Hotel. |
| Evening: | Dinner at own arrangement and overnight at the hotel. |
Day 2: Saturday, 18 February 2012 |
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| - | Breakfast at the hotel. |
| 08:00 a.m. | Proceed to Ban Chiang and visit the Ban Chiang National Museum and the prehistoric site at Wat Pho Si Noi. |
| Noon: | Lunch at local restaurant in Udon Thani. |
| 01:30 p.m. | Proceed to Khon Kaen province. |
| Afternoon: | Visit Khon Kaen National Museum and some temples in Khon Kaen. |
| - | Proceed back to Udon Thani province. |
| Evening: | Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at Charoen Hotel in Udon Thani. |
Day 3: Sunday, 19 February 2012 |
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| 07:00 a.m. | Breakfast at the hotel. |
| 08:30 a.m. | Proceed to Ban Phue district, Udon Thani province. |
| Morning: | Visit historical sites and pre-historical sites at Phu Phra Bat Historical Park (walk for 60-90 minutes). |
| Noon: | Lunch at local restaurant in Sri Chiang Mai district. |
| Afternoon: | Visit historical sites and temples in Tha Bo district, Nong Khai province. |
| 07:05 p.m. | Arrive at Udon Thani Airport. |
| 08:05 p.m. | Depart Udon Thani Airport for Bangkok by Thai Airways Intl. flight TG015. |
| 09:15 p.m. | Arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. |
Booking
A contribution of Bt. 16,500 (Bt. 18,500 for non-members) is solicited to cover the cost of Thai Airways Intl. roundtrip ticket (economy class), transportation, 5 meals, accommodations for 2 nights at Charoen Hotel in Udon Thani province (two persons per room), entrance fees and other arrangements to make this trip possible. An additional sum of Bt. 900 is requested for a single room. Please pay by cash or cheque (payable to ‘The Siam Society’). Alternatively you can deposit/transfer the money to the Siam Society travel account at the Thai Military Bank, Asoke Branch saving account no. 053-2-18000-7. Please fax or e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us. There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges.
The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary. Seats are limited. Please book your place as soon as possible.
For further information and bookings please contact Khun Prasert (ext. 504) or Khun Ekkarin (ext. 506) on 0 2661 6470-7, fax 0 2258 3491 or e-mail: ekkarin@siam-society.org. Office hours: 9:00am.–5:00pm. Tuesday–Saturday (except holidays).