Amnat Charoen Province
Encyclopedia
Amnat Charoen is one of the north-eastern
provinces
(changwat) of Thailand
. Neighboring provinces are (clockwise from the south) Ubon Ratchathani
, Yasothon
and Mukdahan
. To the east it borders Salavan of Laos
.
valley. A long footpath along some of 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. The other two rivers in the province are the Lam Sae Bok and Lam Sae Bai.
Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park
is partially located in Amnat Charoen Province.
. It is thus one of the three youngest provinces of Thailand, together with Nong Bua Lam Phu and Sa Kaeo
.
called Phra Mongkol Ming Muang. Also known as Phra Yai (Big Buddha), this 20m high statue is the most sacred one in the city of Amnat Charoen.
The provincial tree is Hopea ferrea
.
The provincial slogan is Phra Mongkhon, Seven River basils, Sacred caves, Phra Lao, Beautiful islands and mountain, precious silk and religious people.
). The districts are further subdivided into 56 communes (tambon
) and 653 villages (muban
).
Amphoe Mueang Amnat Charoen
Buddha Utthayan
and Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang (พุทธอุทยาน และพระมงคลมิ่งเมือง): This base rock area is shaded and contains different kinds of vegetables decorated under the theme of "Buddha Park". Inside the park, a huge northern Indian style Buddha image, Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang or Phra Yai, is placed in front of the temple. This beautiful Buddha image is now the logo of Amnat Charoen province.
Chidsakol Farm (สวนเกษตรชิตสกนต์): Located close to Chidsakol Resort, the famous farm features beautiful flowers and plants. Its huge plantation of African marigold always turn the whole field into a bright yellow hue when in full bloom.
Wat Tham Saeng Phet
(วัดถ้ำแสงเพชร): Located on a spacious sandstone plain, the cave temple features a viharn, a pagoda and a huge reclining Buddha. This cave is named Saeng Phet or "diamond’s glitters" due to its glittering rock. Wat Tham Saeng Phet is a meditation centre for those who honour Achan Cha Suphatto, a famous monk from Wat Nong Pa Phong. Many foreign monks visit it for practising meditation.
Mo Lam Village (หมู่บ้านหมอลำ): The cultural attraction of Amnat Charoen, Mo Lam
is a famous traditional performance of Northeast Thailand. Performances feature dance and traditional music. It is the biggest Mo Lam village of Thailand with 20 bans of Mo Lam living in the village. The Mo Lam performance of Ban Pla Khao
village was awarded Amnat Charoen’s OTOP (One Tambon One Product).
Amphoe Hua Taphan
Ban Kham Phra Handicraft Centre (ศูนย์จำหน่ายหัตถกรรมบ้านคำพระ): The centre offers various home made handicrafts made by the women of the area.
Ban Chang Tho Royal Folk Arts and Craft Training Centre (ศูนย์ศิลปาชีพบ้านสร้าง): The centre offers training course on various local crafts such as weaving and gem cutting. The centre here produces world-class gems cutting technicians.
Amphoe Phana
Wat Phra Lao Thep Nimit
(วัดพระเหลาเทพนิมิตร): This temple has a Lanna
-style chapel which houses the principle Buddha image "Phra Lao Thep Nimit". Built in 1720, the Buddha image, in the form of subduing Mara and decorated with gold leaf
, is considered the most beautiful Buddha image of the Northeast Region. The art style mirrors the Laotian art from Vientiane which is influenced by Lanna during the 16th-17th Century.
Don Chao Pu Botanical Park (วนอุทยานดอนเจ้าปู่): The park is home to various wildlife, particularly crab-eating macaques, many of which can be easily spotted. The park houses a sacred shrine as well as a Buddha images showing his birth, enlightenment, the first sermon and in a reclining mannere.
Amphoe Senangkhanikhom
Phu Sa Dok Bua (ภูสระดอกบัว): On the mountain top one finds 11 stone pools, each a few metres wide. It is quite strange that all of them are occupied by different species of colourful lotus
which normally are found in swamps. Locals insist that no one planted the lotus and that they occur naturally. So, they named these pools "Phu Sa Dok Bua", literally "Mountain Lotus Pool". Nearby is a huge cave which can accommodate hundreds of people. It once served as a stronghold of the Communist Party of Thailand.
Amphoe Chanuman
Mekong River scenery (ทิวทัศน์ริมฝั่งโขง): In front of the Amphoe Chanuman office, a long footpath running side by side with the river allows people to enjoy the view. In the dry season, from February to May, water in the Mekong River is much l;ower and allows islands to appear. Such famous islands include Kaeng Tanglang and Kaeng Hin Khan.
, Loy Krathong
and Songkran. Moreover, they practice 14 moral regulations such as cleaning feet before getting inside the house, donating food to the monk, avoiding to step on a monk’s shadow, paying respect to the parents, paying homage to the Buddha image with flowers, candles and joss stick
s and learning Dhamma every day.
Most people in Amphoe Chanuman are descendant of the Phu Thai ethnic group who migrated down from Laos
. They specialise in weaving "Khit
" cloth, preserving its unique patterns. Their traditional musical performance "Mo Lam" always supports the democratic constitutional monarchy. Amnat Charoen people try to retain the "Long Khuang" tradition which consisted of teenagers meeting up for communal activities such as weaving or silk spinning accompanied by lively traditional music.
The Boat Race Festival (ประเพณีการแข่งเรือยาว) is held somewhere in October and November each year. The race is a big tournament for boats from Amphoe Khemarat
(Ubon Ratchathani
province), Amphoe Chanuman
(Amnat Charoen province) and Laos
. The race takes place on the Mekong River in front of the Amphoe Chanuman office. Visitors can enjoy the race during the day and shopping and entertainment at night.
Isan
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
provinces
Provinces of Thailand
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces , which are geographically grouped into 6 regions. The capital Bangkok is not a province but a special administrative area and is included as the 77th province since it is administered at the same level as the other 76 provinces. The name of the provinces are...
(changwat) of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Neighboring provinces are (clockwise from the south) Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani Province
-History:The area was part of the Khmer Empire. Before the late eighteenth century, this area evidently was outside Siamese or Thai Ayutthaya Kingdom....
, Yasothon
Yasothon Province
Yasothon is one of the provinces of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand on the Chi River. Neighboring provinces are Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket and Roi Et.-Geography:...
and Mukdahan
Mukdahan Province
Mukdahan is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Roi Et, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom. To the east it borders the Mekong River, across which lies Savannakhet Province of Laos.-Geography:The province is located in the...
. To the east it borders Salavan of Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
.
Geography
The province is located in the MekongMekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
valley. A long footpath along some of 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. The other two rivers in the province are the Lam Sae Bok and Lam Sae Bai.
Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park
Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park
Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park is a national park that lies in the Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan, and Yasothon provinces of Thailand. The park contains a 423 meter mountain. 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...
is partially located in Amnat Charoen Province.
History
Amnat Charoen gained city status during the reign of King Rama III. It was first administered from Nakhon Khemarat, and later from Ubon Ratchathani. It became a province in its own right on January 12, 1993, when it was split off from Ubon RatchathaniUbon Ratchathani Province
-History:The area was part of the Khmer Empire. Before the late eighteenth century, this area evidently was outside Siamese or Thai Ayutthaya Kingdom....
. It is thus one of the three youngest provinces of Thailand, together with Nong Bua Lam Phu and Sa Kaeo
Sa Kaeo Province
Sa Kaeo is a province of Thailand.It is located in the east of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram...
.
Symbols
In the middle of the provincial seal is an image of the BuddhaBuddhahood
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
called Phra Mongkol Ming Muang. Also known as Phra Yai (Big Buddha), this 20m high statue is the most sacred one in the city of Amnat Charoen.
The provincial tree is Hopea ferrea
Hopea ferrea
Hopea ferrea is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is found in Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.It is the provincial tree of Amnat Charoen Province.-Source:* Ashton, P. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
.
The provincial slogan is Phra Mongkhon, Seven River basils, Sacred caves, Phra Lao, Beautiful islands and mountain, precious silk and religious people.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 7 districts (amphoeAmphoe
An amphoe is the second level administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as district, amphoe make up the provinces, and are analogous to a county seat...
). The districts are further subdivided into 56 communes (tambon
Tambon
Tambon is a local government unit in Thailand. Below district and province , they form the third administrative subdivision level. As of the 2009 there are 7255 tambon, not including the 169 khwaeng of Bangkok, which are set at the same administrative level, thus every district contains 8-10 tambon...
) and 653 villages (muban
Muban
Muban is the lowest administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as village, they are the subdivision of tambon. As of 2008, there are 74944 administrative villages in Thailand. As of the 1990 census, the average village consisted of 144 households or 746 persons.A muban does not...
).
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Amphoe Mueang Amnat CharoenAmphoe Mueang Amnat CharoenMueang Amnat Charoen is the capital district of Amnat Charoen Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:Originally Amnat Charoen was a Mueang under Mueang Khemarat. In the thesaphiban administrative reforms around 1900 it was reassigned to Ubon Ratchathani and converted into a district. It was...
(Town district)
Buddha UtthayanBuddha Utthayan
Buddha Utthayan is a park-like area in Khao Dan Phra Bat, Tambon Bung, just north of Amnat Charoen. It is known for Phra Mongkhon Ming Muang , also called Phra Yai , a major Buddha image located in the park....
and Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang (พุทธอุทยาน และพระมงคลมิ่งเมือง): This base rock area is shaded and contains different kinds of vegetables decorated under the theme of "Buddha Park". Inside the park, a huge northern Indian style Buddha image, Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang or Phra Yai, is placed in front of the temple. This beautiful Buddha image is now the logo of Amnat Charoen province.
Chidsakol Farm (สวนเกษตรชิตสกนต์): Located close to Chidsakol Resort, the famous farm features beautiful flowers and plants. Its huge plantation of African marigold always turn the whole field into a bright yellow hue when in full bloom.
Wat Tham Saeng Phet
Wat Tham Saeng Phet
Wat Tham Saeng Phet is a Buddhist temple near Amnat Charoen, Thailand. It is located on Amnat Charoen-Khemarat Road 18 kilometres from the Amnat Charoen, 2 kilometres off the main road uphill. Located on a large sandstone plain, the temple has a vihara, a pagoda, and a huge reclining Buddha. North...
(วัดถ้ำแสงเพชร): Located on a spacious sandstone plain, the cave temple features a viharn, a pagoda and a huge reclining Buddha. This cave is named Saeng Phet or "diamond’s glitters" due to its glittering rock. Wat Tham Saeng Phet is a meditation centre for those who honour Achan Cha Suphatto, a famous monk from Wat Nong Pa Phong. Many foreign monks visit it for practising meditation.
Mo Lam Village (หมู่บ้านหมอลำ): The cultural attraction of Amnat Charoen, Mo Lam
Mor lam
Mor lam is a traditional Lao form of song in Laos and Isan.Mor lam means expert song, or expert singer, referring to the music or artist respectively. Other romanisations used include mo lam, maw lam, maw lum, moh lam and mhor lum...
is a famous traditional performance of Northeast Thailand. Performances feature dance and traditional music. It is the biggest Mo Lam village of Thailand with 20 bans of Mo Lam living in the village. The Mo Lam performance of Ban Pla Khao
Ban Pla Khao
Ban Pla Khao is a village in Tambon Pla Khao, Thailand, 20 kilometres from Amnat Charoen city. It was founded by the Phu Thai ethnic group 200 years ago. The village is known for its mo lam performances, which feature dancing and traditional music. Besides conserving the traditional performance,...
village was awarded Amnat Charoen’s OTOP (One Tambon One Product).
Amphoe Hua TaphanAmphoe Hua TaphanHua Taphan is a district of Amnat Charoen Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:The minor district was established on August 15 1967, when the four tambon Hua Taphan, Kham Phra, Nong Kaeo and Kheng Yai were split off from Amnat Charoen district. It was upgraded to a full district on November...
Ban Kham Phra Handicraft Centre (ศูนย์จำหน่ายหัตถกรรมบ้านคำพระ): The centre offers various home made handicrafts made by the women of the area.Ban Chang Tho Royal Folk Arts and Craft Training Centre (ศูนย์ศิลปาชีพบ้านสร้าง): The centre offers training course on various local crafts such as weaving and gem cutting. The centre here produces world-class gems cutting technicians.
Amphoe PhanaAmphoe PhanaPhana is a district of Amnat Charoen Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:The district goes back to the Mueang Phana Nikhon , which was a subordinate of Mueang Ubon Ratchathani. It was converted into a district in 1914. The district office was located in Ban Khulu, which is now in Trakan...
Wat Phra Lao Thep NimitWat Phra Lao Thep Nimit
Wat Phra Lao Thep Nimit |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...
(วัดพระเหลาเทพนิมิตร): This temple has a Lanna
Lanna
The Kingdom of Lanna was a kingdom centered in present-day northern Thailand from the 13th to 18th centuries. The cultural development of the people of Lanna, the Tai Yuan people, had begun long before as successive Tai Yuan kingdoms preceded Lanna...
-style chapel which houses the principle Buddha image "Phra Lao Thep Nimit". Built in 1720, the Buddha image, in the form of subduing Mara and decorated with gold leaf
Gold leaf
right|thumb|250px|[[Burnishing]] gold leaf with an [[agate]] stone tool, during the water gilding processGold leaf is gold that has been hammered into extremely thin sheets and is often used for gilding. Gold leaf is available in a wide variety of karats and shades...
, is considered the most beautiful Buddha image of the Northeast Region. The art style mirrors the Laotian art from Vientiane which is influenced by Lanna during the 16th-17th Century.
Don Chao Pu Botanical Park (วนอุทยานดอนเจ้าปู่): The park is home to various wildlife, particularly crab-eating macaques, many of which can be easily spotted. The park houses a sacred shrine as well as a Buddha images showing his birth, enlightenment, the first sermon and in a reclining mannere.
Amphoe SenangkhanikhomAmphoe SenangkhanikhomSenangkhanikhom is a district in the northern part of Amnat Charoen Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Chanuman, Mueang Amnat Charoen of Amnat Charoen Province, Thai Charoen and Thai Charoen of Yasothon Province.-History:The minor district was created on...
Phu Sa Dok Bua (ภูสระดอกบัว): On the mountain top one finds 11 stone pools, each a few metres wide. It is quite strange that all of them are occupied by different species of colourful lotusLotus (plant)
Lotus identifies various plant taxa:* Nelumbo, a genus of aquatic plants with showy flowers** Nelumbo nucifera, the Sacred or Indian lotus** Nelumbo lutea, the American or Yellow lotus...
which normally are found in swamps. Locals insist that no one planted the lotus and that they occur naturally. So, they named these pools "Phu Sa Dok Bua", literally "Mountain Lotus Pool". Nearby is a huge cave which can accommodate hundreds of people. It once served as a stronghold of the Communist Party of Thailand.
Amphoe ChanumanAmphoe ChanumanChanuman is the northeasternmost district of Amnat Charoen Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:Mueang Chanuman Monthon was established in 1879. As it was a subordinate Mueang of Ubon Ratchathani, it became a district of Ubon Ratchathani province during the thesaphiban administrative reform...
Mekong River scenery (ทิวทัศน์ริมฝั่งโขง): In front of the Amphoe Chanuman office, a long footpath running side by side with the river allows people to enjoy the view. In the dry season, from February to May, water in the Mekong River is much l;ower and allows islands to appear. Such famous islands include Kaeng Tanglang and Kaeng Hin Khan.Festivals
The people of Amnat Charoen attach their lifestyle to local traditions and festivals that are held throughout year such as the festival to mark the end of Buddhist Lent, the Rocket FestivalRocket Festival
A Rocket Festival is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced by Ethnic Lao people throughout much of northeast Thailand and Laos, by numerous villages and municipalities near the beginning of the rainy season...
, Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong
Loi Krathong is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand and certain parts of Laos and Burma .-Overview:...
and Songkran. Moreover, they practice 14 moral regulations such as cleaning feet before getting inside the house, donating food to the monk, avoiding to step on a monk’s shadow, paying respect to the parents, paying homage to the Buddha image with flowers, candles and joss stick
Joss stick
Joss sticks are a type of incense used in many East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, traditionally burned before a Chinese religious image, idol or shrine. They can also be burned in front of a door, or open window as an offering to heaven, or devas...
s and learning Dhamma every day.
Most people in Amphoe Chanuman are descendant of the Phu Thai ethnic group who migrated down from Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
. They specialise in weaving "Khit
Khit
Khit, or Khid, is an ancient type of woven cloth produced in certain areas of Isaan, the northeastern region of Thailand.-Tradition:Khit weaving is done by hand in traditional looms. It favours certain basic colors, like red, purple and dark green, although other colors are also used...
" cloth, preserving its unique patterns. Their traditional musical performance "Mo Lam" always supports the democratic constitutional monarchy. Amnat Charoen people try to retain the "Long Khuang" tradition which consisted of teenagers meeting up for communal activities such as weaving or silk spinning accompanied by lively traditional music.
The Boat Race Festival (ประเพณีการแข่งเรือยาว) is held somewhere in October and November each year. The race is a big tournament for boats from Amphoe Khemarat
Amphoe Khemarat
Khemarat is the northernmost district of Ubon Ratchathani Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:Mueang Khemarat is an ancient city. It was a first class city during Rattanakosin era and reported directly to Bangkok...
(Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani is a city on the Mun River in the south-east of the Isan region of Thailand. It is known as Ubon for short. The name means "Royal Lotus City." The provincial seal features a pond with a lotus flower and leaves in a circular frame. Ubon is the administrative centre of Ubon...
province), Amphoe Chanuman
Amphoe Chanuman
Chanuman is the northeasternmost district of Amnat Charoen Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:Mueang Chanuman Monthon was established in 1879. As it was a subordinate Mueang of Ubon Ratchathani, it became a district of Ubon Ratchathani province during the thesaphiban administrative reform...
(Amnat Charoen province) and Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
. The race takes place on the Mekong River in front of the Amphoe Chanuman office. Visitors can enjoy the race during the day and shopping and entertainment at night.