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Udon Thani - Phu Phrabat This week's route will take you to some of the attractions in Udon Thani and Nong Khai provinces, including Phu Phrabat, the historical park featured on today's front page. Starting from Udon Thani town, drive north via Highway 2 (Mittraphap). Around thirteen kilometres from the point where Highway 2 intersects the ring road you'll see Wat Nakha Thevi on the right-hand side. The traditional weaver community of Ban Nakha is just next to the wat. After visiting Ban Nakha continue on Highway 2. A couple of kilometres from there you'll see a huge kilometre marker _ the Kingdom's largest, I believe _ towering on the other side of the road. Go on until you find Highway 211, about 23 kilometres from the giant kilometre marker. And, yes, turn left onto the 211. Phra That Bang Phuan is 10 kilometres up the road. After visiting the sacred chedi, get back to Highway 2 and drive on to Nong Khai. Wat Pho Chai and Tha Sadet Market are in the town and easy to find. From the wat, take Highway 212 westward for a few kilometres, then turn right onto Highway 211. Follow the 211 and you'll soon find a T-intersection. Go left. By now you should see the railway line running along the road on the left-hand side. And on your right, beyond the strip of houses and trees, is the Mekong River. One kilometre and a half from the T-intersection, the road will run beneath the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. About 27 kilometres from the bridge, you'll arrive at Tha Bo. There, just ask anybody how you can get to Wat Si Chomphoo Ong Tue, the town's most revered Buddhist monastery and today's Point E. Oh, another interesting thing about Tha Bo is that many of its old wooden shophouses are still kept in good shape. From Tha Bo, take Highway 2020 and go on until the road meets Highway 2021, then turn right towards Ban Phue. Once you get to Ban Phue Hospital you have to turn left and continue for another eight kilometres until you reach Ban Tew intersection. From the intersection, go straight on for another few kilometres and you'll find Phu Phrabat Historical Park. In case you still have some time left, I recommend that you visit the beautiful chedi at Wat Phrabat Bua Bok as well. The wat is just a few minutes' drive from the historical park. |