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Published: January 26th 2012
Prasat Khao Phra Wihan
The temple is on the top of the mountain behind the planeAfter a one and a half hour drive to the Thai – Cambodia border to visit Prasat Khao Phra Wihan we found there would be no access on that day. The famous temple located strategically on top of a mountain overlooking Cambodia has been a point of conflict for many years. On the day that I decided to visit the temple some Thai and Cambodian troops had a stand-off in the nearby area and it was decided to close the temple for safety reasons. I was disappointed but still could view the temple using some binoculars at the Thai lookout area and had a great view of the mountain and Cambodia below. I will try to visit the temple from Siem Reap on the Cambodian side on a future visit.
Fortunately I had a plan B and on the return trip to Ubon we could visit a temple and surrounding buildings constructed from beer and soft drink bottles at Wat Lan Kuat in the city of Khun Han. There was no way I would have found the temple without my driver and I am glad I did not rent a car to drive myself. As shown in the photos the
beer bottle temple is an amazing sight and I have added something new to my driver’s tour schedule as he had never been there before.
The last day of my stay in Ubon Ratchathani was spent visiting the Ubon National Museum which I found very impressive and the huge Sunee Tower Hotel and shopping mall. I also found a great massage place for my tired legs and especially my feet.
Every day I visited the Tung Sri Muang park which is a short walk from the Sri Isan Hotel. The park becomes very busy in the cool of the night with mostly locals playing all sorts of sports and meeting with their friends. There is a large wax float permanently located in the park that represents the Buddhist Lent (Candle festival) which is held in Ubon around the time of the full moon in July.
In the far north east corner of the park I found a memorial set up by the Australian and allied troops to show their appreciation to the people of Ubon. The local people risked their lives to provide food and help to the prisoners of war.
I really enjoyed Ubon Ratchathani
Prasat Khao Phra Wihan
Viewpoint to the temple - about 800 metres from there and especially the people that I met who were very welcoming to this first time visitor to their city. I hope to return in rainy season to see a big waterfall in the region that I have been researching and apparently one of the most spectacular sights in Thailand.
Kop khun khrap - Thank you
Sawatdee khrap - Goodbye
Pob gan mai - See you again soon
Click on any of the 33 photos if you want a larger view
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Geoff
non-member comment
Enjoyed
I really enjoyed reading your entries on your experiences in Thailand which also very much reflect my own. I am not as well travelled as you but also enjoy Issan and dancing in the leuk thueng bars with Thai friends. I stay with a Thai family about 40 mins bus ride east of Korat where I have had some of the most enjoyable times of my life. Good luck to you and hope you continue to enjoy your journeys in the future.