Sa Kaeo

Understand

Sa Kaeo is the capital of Sa Kaeo province, about 50 km west of Poipet (Cambodia-Thailand border) and 245 km east of Bangkok, in Eastern Thailand. It was once an important and prosperous community with a long history dating to the Suvarnabhumi and the Dvaravati Kingdoms, which is evident from various remains of ancient monuments and architecture, scattered throughout the province, and from artefacts attesting to the history and glory of the past. Apart from the historical ancient remains worthy of study, Sa Kaeo also possesses abundant natural resources such as the Pang Sida National Park, the Ta Phraya National Park, and the natural canyon-like soil sculpture caused by ground subsidence called "Lalu" with unique characteristics. At the Thai border in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo is a grand gate opening to Cambodia, connecting international transportation and tourism within one route. Moreover, Rong Kluea Market offers both cheap and second-hand products from various neighbouring countries. Sa Kaeo is the 74th province of Thailand and used to be a satellite town of [Prachinburi] (called Prachim in the past). In 1933, the system of Thesaphiban or administrative circle was abolished and Prachinburi was designated a province. Therefore, Sa Kaeo became a district in Prachinburi. It was separated from the province and became a province in Dec 1993.

History The history of Sa Kaeo can be traced back for over 4,000 years, starting from the Neolithic – Metal Age with a discovery of artefacts at Ban Khok Makok, Khao Sip Sub-district, Khao Chakan District. In a later period, other antiques were found such as in Aranyaprathet and Ta Phraya Districts, presenting evidence that Sa Kaeo was once an important and prosperous community during the Chenla – Dvaravati Periods with their own civilisation and culture under the kings or rulers who believed in Hinduism, both the Shivaite and Vishnuite sects. It can be observed from the ancient remains and inscriptions in the Pallava script at

Getting there

By car From Bangkok there are several alternative routes:

Take Phahon Yothin Rd to Rangsit, keep left and cross the ring bridge to Hwy 305, passing Ongkharak District and Nakhon Nayok Province. Enter Hwy 33, passing Kabin Buri District to Sa Kaeo Province. The total distance is 214 km. Take Hwy 1 and turn right at Hin Kong Intersection. Go along Hwy 33, passing Nakhon Nayok Province, and Kabin Buri District. The total distance is 245 km. Take Hwy 304, passing Min Buri District and Chachoengsao Province to Phanom Sarakham District. At km 35, turn right to Kabin Buri District along Hwy 304. At km95, turn right again into Hwy 33 to Sa Kaeo Province. The total distance is 210 km. Take Hwy 304, passing Min Buri District to Chachoengsao Province. Then, take the route to Phanom Sarakham District, passing the Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Centre. At km 54, there is a crossroads. Turn right to Sa Kaeo Province by taking Hwy 359 for 65 km. It is a shortcut to Sa Kaeo.

By bus The Transport Company Ltd provides services of both ordinary and air conditioned buses, leaving the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) many times a day. It takes 4 hours to Sa Kaeo (3.5 hours via the Ongkharak route). For further information contact Tel. +66 2 9362852–66 ext: 311, or the Transport Company Limited (Sa Kaeo Office) on Thetsaban Soi 9/1 Rd, Tel. +66 37 241282, Air Aran Company Limited at Tel. +66 37 421210. From Sa Kaeo, there is a bus service to other provinces such as Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Saraburi, Buriram, and Korat.

By train The State Railway of Thailand provides a Bangkok–Sa Kaeo–Aranyaphrathet train service 2 times a day. The first one leaves Bangkok at 05:55 and arrives at Sa Kaeo at 10:32 and to Aranyaprathet at 11:30. The second one departs Bangkok at 13:05 to Sa Kaeo at 17:25, and to Aranyaprathet at 18:20. There are 2 trains to Bangkok. The first one departs Aranyaprathet at 06:35 to

See

Temples and monuments City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง). Within the shrine stands the city pillar made of Chaiyaphruek or cassia wood whose characteristics are in accordance with ancient tradition. This shrine is evidence of the solidarity of the people and a symbol of the loyalty to King Rama IX, as well as, a centre of spirit and unity of the people of Sa Kaeo. Wat Tham Khao Chakan (วัดถ้ำเขาฉกรรจ์), Khao Chakan, Khao Chakan District. Daily 7AM-6PM. A temple of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. There are 72 small caves within the compound of Khao Chakan. The popular ones are Tham Muet, Tham Hanuman, Tham Khao Thalu, Tham Mahahing, Tham Namthip, and Tham Kaew Phlai Chumphon. The spot of interest is the replica of the Buddha's footprint at Tham Khao Thalu. King Naresuan the Great's Statue (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช). This statue was erected because in the past, Watthana Nakhon District was once an area where King Naresuan the Great resided during the battles in the east in 1593.

Prasat Khao Noi Si Chomphu (ปราสาทเขาน้อยสีชมพู). It is believed to have been a Hindu shrine. The prasat is made of bricks without any use of mortar. It comprises 3 brick constructions; namely, the northern prang, the central prang, and the southern wihan. However, only the central one remains in good condition, while only the bases of the northern and the southern ones are left. Wat Nakhon Tham (วัดนครธรรม). Within the compound of the temple are interesting attractions. Luangpho Khao, an ancient image of Buddha in a cross-legged posture, cast of lime (white soil from Nong Din Chi). Luangpho Khao's hall houses Buddha relics brought from Wat Pamadunla Racha Maha Wihan, in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka: a replica of Buddha's footprint and the image of Phra Siam Devadhiraj. Prasat Ban Noi (ปราสาทบ้านน้อย), Phak Kha, Watthana Nakhon District. It is divided into 3 rooms inside: one each in the north and south, while the other is at the centre. Outside the boundary wall lays a pon

Do

Festivals Eastern Cultural Fair and Sa Kaew Red Cross Fair (งานสืบสานวัฒนธรรมเบื้องบูรพา และงานกาชาดจังหวัดสระแก้ว) is organised at Wat Sa Kaeo Kindergarten during mid-February every year. There are processions of Sa Kaeo's culture and products, singing contest, exhibitions of the government agencies, various forms of entertainment, and booths presenting various kinds of products. Cantaloupe Day (วันแคนตาลูป) is held in front of the Aranyaprathet District Office during April every year. It is the period when cantaloupes are harvested. In the fair are cantaloupe floats, cantaloupe and agricultural produce contests, exhibitions of the government authorities, a cantaloupe beauty contest, booths, as well as various forms of entertainment. Sa Kaeo Establishment Commemoration (งานวันสถาปนาจังหวัดสระแก้ว) is organised approximately in December of every year. In the event, there are cultural and art processions, exhibitions, as well as booths selling products. Dok Kaeo Blooming Day (งานวันด