Amnat Charoen

Amnat Charoen (Thai: อำนาจเจริญ) is in a town, the capital of a Amnat Charoen Province, in the Isaan region of Thailand.

Understand
Although it is a small and tranquil town, Amnat Charoen has various attractions. Visitors to Charoen can view sacred Buddha images, picturesque rice paddies and fruit orchards, rocky rapids of Mekong River in the dry season, and excellent handicrafts, particularly silk.

The people of Amnat Charoen attach their lifestyle to local traditions and festivals that are held throughout the year such as the festival to mark the end of Buddhist Lent, the Rocket Festival, Loy Krathong and Songkran. Moreover, they practice 14 moral precepts such as cleaning their feet before entering a home, donating food to monks, avoiding stepping on a monk's shadow, paying respect to parents, paying homage to Buddha images with flowers, candles, and joss sticks and learning Dhamma every day.

Most people in Amphoe Chanuman are descendants of the Phu Thai ethnic group who migrated from Laos. They specialise in weaving "khit" cloth, preserving its unique patterns. Their traditional musical performance "mor 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.

By car
From Bangkok, head north via Hwy 1, then Hwy 2 to Korat. After that, take Hwy 226, Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin, then Hwy 214, Surin-Suwannaphum. Turn right onto Hwy 202 via Yasothon and Pa Tio to Amnat Charoen. This route is 585 km. Or motorists can take Hwy 1, 2, then Hwy 226, Korat-Ubon Ratchathani, and Hwy 212 to Amnat Charoen. This route is 704 km.

By bus
Scheduled buses and air conditioned coaches leave the Northeastern Bus Terminal, Mo Chit 2, Kamphaeng Phet Rd, for Amnat Charoen daily.

Tourists who travel by plane or train can head for Ubon Ratchathani first, then take bus to Amnat Charoen, 75 km away.

Get around
There is no public transport in Amnat Charoen. Your only choice to get around is a motorcycle taxi.

See

 * 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 Buddha image is now the logo of Amnat Charoen Province.


 * Chidsakol Farm (สวนเกษตรชิตสกนต์): Close to Chidsakol Resort, this well-known farm features 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): 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 monk from Wat Nong Pa Phong. Many foreign monks visit it to meditate.
 * Mor Lam Village (หมู่บ้านหมอลำ): The cultural attraction of Amnat Charoen, mor lam is a famous traditional musical performance of northeast Thailand. Performances feature dance and traditional music. It is the biggest mor lam village of Thailand with 20 mor lam bands living in the village. The mor lam performance of Ban Pla Khao village was awarded Amnat Charoen’s OTOP (One Tambon One Product).
 * Boat Race Festival (ประเพณีการแข่งเรือยาว): is held 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.

Go next

 * Mukdahan or Ubon Ratchathani if continuing to Laos, or inland to Yasothon.