FESTIVALS
Chao Pho Phraya Lae Festival
is held during January 12-20 every year. The festival’s highlight is a procession to pay homage to Phraya Lae, an elephant parade, shops selling many products, exhibitions, and a produce contest.
Candle Festival
is in July. This Buddhist ceremony features a procession and a giant candle-carving contest featuring candles as elaborate as those in the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani.
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Welcome to Chaiyaphum
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
General
Considered to be centrally located in Thailand, Chaiyaphum has an abundance of natural attractions and is famous for its beautiful flower fields, particularly the Krachiao Flower Blooming Festival during the months of June-July. Chaiyaphum's size, with majority of it being forests and mountains, ranks third in the region and eighth in the country.
The town was founded by a group of Vientiane immigrants, led by Nai Lae, a nobleman, during the beginning of the Rattanakosin era over 2 centuries ago. Within a decade, King Rama III promoted Nai Lae to Phraya Phakdi Chumphon and made him the city’s first lord. When the Lord of Vientiane led a rebellion against King Rama III in 1826, he helped Khunying Mo successfully defend Nakhon Ratchasima from the seige.
Chaiyaphum is 342 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 12,778 square kilometres. It consists of the following districts: Muang Chaiyaphum, Khon Sawan, Kaeng Khro, Ban Thaen, Phu Khieo, Kaset Sombun, Khon San, Nong Bua Daeng, Ban Khwao, Chaturat, Bamnet Narong, Thep Sathit, Nong Bua Rawe, Phakdi Chumphon, Noen Sanga and Sap Yai.
Attractions
Chao Pho Phraya Lae shrine
Chao Pho Phraya Lae shrine is on the bank of Nong Pla Thao, 3 kilometres from the city, on the way to Ban Khwao. There is a large tamarind tree on the bank, which is said to be where Chao Phraya Lae died fighting Vientiane soldiers in 1826
Phraya Phakdi Chumphon monument
Phraya Phakdi Chumphon monument is at Sun Ratchakan roundabout on the way into the city. The people of Chaiyaphum built it to honour the city’s founder.
Tat Ton National Park
Tat Ton National Park covers some parts of Phu Laen Kha mountain range. To get there, take Highway No. 2051 for 21 kilometres. Tat Ton waterfall is an important tourist spot. The water here cascades down wide rock plateaus, creating breathtaking scenery, especially in the rainy season when there is plenty of water. The park also has Pha Iang waterfall, which is 32 kilometres from the city on the Chaiyaphum-Nong Bua Daeng Road, and Tat Fa waterfall, which is 25 kilometres from the city on the Chaiyaphum-Kaeng Khro Road.
Transportation
Bus
There are many private companies that operate bus services from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum. Buses depart from Mochit 2 Bus Terminal every day. Call 0 2936 2852-66 for more information.
Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Si Khio, then turn into Highway No. 201 and proceed to Chaiyaphum via Dan Khun Thot and Chaturat, a total distance of 342 kilometres.
Train
Regular trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station (1690, 0 2223 7010-20) to Bua Yai Railway Station which is 51 kilometres from Chaiyaphum.
Air
Visitors can fly from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima or Khon Kaen and continue the trip by bus to Chaiyaphum. Call Thai Airways at Tel: 1566, 0 2628 2000.
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