General Information
Chaiyaphum is a province in the centre of Thailand. It is well known in tourism terms because it has beautiful flower fields. Chaiyaphum was founded over 2 centuries ago during the early Rattanakosin period by a group of Vientiane people led by Nai Lae.
Chaiyaphum is 342 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 12,778 square kilometres. It consists of the following districts: Mueang Chaiyaphum, Khon Sawan, Kaeng Khro, Ban Thaen, Phu Khiao, Kaset Sombun, Khon San, Nong Bua Daeng, Ban Khwao, Chaturat, Bamnet Narong, Thep Sathit, Nong Bua Rawe, Phakdi Chumphon, Noen Sanga and Sap
Yai.
How to get there
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.
Bus
There are many private companies which operate bus services from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum. Buses depart from Mochit 2 Bus Terminal every day. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information.
Rail
Regular trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Bua Yai Railway Station which is 51 kilometres from Chaiyaphum. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.
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.
Festivals
Candle Festival
This festival is held in July. This Buddhist ceremony features a procession and a candle contest with candles as elaborate as those in the Candle Festival in Ubon
Ratchathani.
Chao Pho Phraya Lae Festival
This 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.
Krachiao Flower Festival
In June or July, wild Krachiao flowers (known as Siam Tulip) in the Pa Hin Ngam National Park are in full bloom. Besides getting lost in the scene of blossoming Krachiao flowers, visitors will be impressed by performances using local musical instruments such as the “Pong Lang” band, the Khaen (bamboo trumpet), and the Klong Seng (a local drum). To add more fun to the festival, visitors will enjoy the hand-made Krachiao Flowers cometition, a Kraiao flowers painting competition, exhibitions and mountain biking.
TRIPS
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