The town That Phanom is located in the upper part of "ISAN" area. It is not a touristic destination but it is well known thanks to the temple "WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM" (วัดพระธาตุพนม). This temple is famous in all "ISAN" area.
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Huge Buddhist processions often happen. People dance, play music and are singing. Offerings to the temple and monks are carried.
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Many temples in northeastern part of Thailand have similar pagoda shape.
"WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM" is regarded as a symbol of northeastern Thailand.
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The main body of the pagoda is supported by four square bases 12m wide. The spire is gold and weighs 110kg. The pagoda is 57m high.
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That Phanom is a little town, which stands on the Mekong river.
The Mekong river is the border between Lao and Thailand in all
"ISAN" area. In this quiet town,
tourists can visit "WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM",
wander in the market in order to eat Isan food and enjoy a
promenade along the Mekong shore.
Fly there with
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The only way to go to That Phanom is to take the bus. In Bangkok, the buses are leaving the terminal, called "MOR CHIT" (หมอชีต), to go to Northeast area.
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Many temples with Laotian architectural characteristics can be
found in "ISAN" area. One of the most
famous is "WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM" for its huge pagoda
("CHEDI" - เจดีย์).
For big feasts even Lao people cross the border and go to
the temple "WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM".
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"WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM" has got an huge bell in order to
wake up the monks in the morning.
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During the rainy season, i.e. three months,
approximately July, august, September (depending on lunar months),
monks aren't allowed to sleep outside their temple and cannot defrock.
"WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM" is then very busy.
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พรรษา or "PHANSA" is the Buddhist rainy season.
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Every morning at dawn, monks are going
out to get some food. Thai people fill monk bowl with rice, soft drinks,
cakes and so on... This ceremony is called "TAKBAT"
(ตักบาตร).
It is very impressive in That Phanom with a row of
hundred monks.
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Visit the market in order to eat "ISAN" food and to enjoy its calm.
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Some famous dishes include the spicy salad
("SOMTAM" - ส้มตำ), the grilled
chicken ("KAI YANG" - ไก่ย่าง),
the sticky rice ("KHAO NIO" - ข้าวเหนียว).
Dishes are often more spicy than in other areas.
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