Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park
June 10th, 2009Dinosaurs: the oldest (and weirdest) reason to visit Khon Kaen and Kalasin.
Phuwiang National Park
Mention dinosaurs in Thailand and the first name that springs to mind has to be Phuwiang Mountain. This was where the very first dinosaur fossils in Thailand were discovered, back in 1976, and is also where the world’s oldest fossils of carnivorous dinosaurs were uncovered. Further exploration resulted in nine fossil sites and you can still go and visit four of them. Besides the old bones, the pretty park also contains traces of prehistoric civilizations as well as more natural delights like walks, mountain bike trails and waterfalls. There are small dinosaur museums at the park entrance, at Phu Pratu Teema, and in the nearby village of Kok Sanambin.
If fossils aren’t enough for you, then head to Sriwiang Park, a special area situated within Phuwiang National Park. Here you can get up close to over a hundred dinosaurs (well life-sized models anyway). If you really want to experience a Jurassic moment then head here on weekends and holidays when a number of the parks “inhabitants” actually move around and roar.
http:// tinyurl.com/od2ulu
Phufaek Forest Park
After watching dinosaurs walk then why not walk in their footsteps? Take an easy 10-minute hike up a hill to Huai Ngao Du to discover some real life footprints. Found by two girls on a picnic, four of the original seven prints are still clearly visible in the rock face. They certainly look freaky, like giant chicken’s feet, even if they are a little smaller than we had imagined.
Moo 6, Bannamkham, Phulaenchang, Kalasin.
Phu Kum Khao (Sirindhorn) Museum
Named after the Princess, who officially opened it late last year, this is one of the top museums in the country and a must-visit for dinosaur fanatics. Originally an excavation site—in total, more than 700 fossilized bones were found in or around this area, the largest concentration in the Kingdom—The highlights of this impressive facility have to be the collection of life-sized skeletons that tower over you and the interactive presentations on evolution. Next door is Wat Sakkawan’s dinosaur pavilion where they actually let you play with some of the giant bones uncovered at the temple.
If you really can’t get enough of museums then there is also the Phuwiang Dinosaur Museum (Naimuang, Phuwiang, Khon Kaen, 043-438-204. http://tinyurl.com/qkg3qt. Open Tue-Sun 8:30am-5pm). Set on the site of a former airport, it has exhibitions on the Earth’s origin and local fossil discoveries but we reckon you can give it a miss if you go to its newer, bigger and brighter neighbor.
Sahuskhun, 28 kms from Kalasin Town, Kalasin, 043-871-613, 043-871-014, http://tinyurl.com/ovt87l. Open Tue-Sun 8:30am-5pm.
Dinosaur Carving
So you’ve seen the fossils, touched the models and walked in the footprints, you can’t leave without a souvenir of their trip. Luckily, the villagers at Baan Koknongkham do nothing but spend their days carving dinosaurs from coconuts. It was so chilled out we nearly applied for a job! Make your nephew happy by bringing him one these delicate dinosaurs for between B60-120 each.
Baan Koknongkham Moo.2, Naimuang, Khon Kaen, 08-5004-7541.
Essentials
GETTING THERE
Thai Airways (02-356-1111, www. thaiairways.com) has three daily flights to and from Khon Kaen Airport with prices starting from B4,050.
If you are not in a rush then take the train. The State Railway of Thailand (02-621-8701, www.railway.co.th) has four trains departing from Hua Lamphong daily including an overnight sleeper. The journey takes around 15 hours and prices start from B368.
Or catch the bus. The Transport Co.,Ltd. (1490, www.transport.co.th) has one daily bus running to Kalasin. It takes 9 hours and costs B330.
GETTING AROUND
Wit+Wisdom (02-270-1505/-8) organizes Dinosaurs tours, three-day and twonight, by van for B5,400 per person.
STAY HERE
Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid Hotel (9/9 Prachasumran Rd., Nai Muang, Khon Kaen, 043-322-155. www.accorhotels.com) was recently renovated. 293 rooms, Superior rooms for B2,550 and Deluxe for B3,350.
Kaen Nakhon Hotel (690 Sichan Rd., Khon Kaen, 043-224-268/-71). 150 rooms, B200-500.
Phailin Hotel (332-333 Kalasin-Sahatsakhan Rd., Phonthong, 043-873-700/-2). 68 rooms, B450-1,700
