Sakon Nakhon is one of the north eastern provinces (Isaan) Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Kalasin and Udon Thani. The capital is Sakon Nakhon is about 650 kilometres from Bangkok.

The word Sakon originates from the Sanskrit word sakala (Devanagari) meaning entire, whole or total, and the word Nakhon from Sanskrit nagara (Devanagari) meaning town or city. Hence the name of the province literally means City of Cities.

Sakon Nakhon province is located on the Khorat Plateau, (Isaan) not far from the Mekong River. The Nong Han Lake is the biggest natural lake of North East Thailand. The lake near the city Sakon Nakhon is a popular resort with local people.

The province covers an area of 9,605 square kilometres and is divided into 18 districts (Amphoe). Mueang Sakon Nakhon, Kusuman, Kut Bak, Phanna Nikhom, Phang Khon, Waritchaphum, Nikhom Nam Un, Wanon Niwat, Kham Ta Kla, Ban Muang, Akat Amnuai, Sawang Daen Din, Song Dao, Tao Ngoi, khok Si Suphan, Charoen Sin, Phon Na Kaeo and Phu Phan. The districts are further sub divided into communes (tambon) and villages (muban).

The Nong Harn Lake the covers an area of 125 square kilometres and has a depth of between 2-8 metres, the lake facilitates agriculture, livestock farming and fishery of the people around it. There are more than 20 islets in the lake such as Koh Don Sawan is the biggest islet, where a deserted temple and ancient Buddha images are located.

The main river feeding the lake is the Nam Pung River which originates in the Phu Phan Mountains south of the lake. The outflow of the lake is the Huai Nam Khan to the southeast, which flows into the Mekong. The average depth of the lake is 1.9 meters, however during dry season the lake shrinks as some shallow areas fall dry.

The lake is used for fishing 20% of the fish caught in the lake is Bardus leiacanthus. Much of the shore has been converted into a public park for the nearby city. Sakon Nakhon features a wide range of hotels to suit all tastes and budgets.

Phu Pha Yon National Park features plateau and Sandstone Mountains, blanketed by deciduous dipterocarp forest, dry evergreen forest, hill evergreen forest. The trees found in the park include thingar, Lagerstroemia calyculata Kurz, and Irvingia malayana. Wildlife found includes barking deer, sambar deer, and Asiatic wild dog.

Attractions in the park include Huay Huad Reservoir which is created by the irrigation dam. By the initiative of His Majesty the King. There is a weird shape rock, by the pavilion on the right side of the reservoir.

Namtok Kham Sang waterfall has a height of 25 meters and is the highest waterfall in the park. The falls are 1.8 kilometres from the parks headquarters. Phu Pha Yon mountain has some beautiful scenery. The cliff houses carvings which can be dated back to over 3,000 years ago.

Pha Paya Tao Ngoy rock is a Ngoy Tortoise shape going towards Phung Stream. The locals believes that tortoise represents fertile land and name the village Ban Tao Ngoy. Larn Dusita the vast rock plain turns colourful in late rainy season when various flowers in tiny size are in full bloom.

Phu Phan National Park. The park features limestone mountain and different forest such as deciduous dipterocarp forest, jungle rain forest, or mixed deciduous forest. Wildlife found in the park include langur, civet, and slow loris.

Phra That Phu Pek. The Ancient Khmer Ruins was built from standstone, standing on laterite base. Tham Seree Thai. During WWII, Seree Thai used this cave for arm and food storage as it is well camouflage by lush vegetable.

Namtok Huay Yai waterfall is 12 kilometres from the parks headquarters. It cascades via several steps amidst dense jungle. Namtok Preecha Sooksan the 12 metre wide waterfall cascade through the foot of the mountain looking like a slider.

Phu Pha Lek National Park the parks compound acquires part of Phu Phan Range with Phu Ang Sor as its highest peak. Most area is blanketed with deciduous dipterocarp forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, dry evergreen forest, various kinds of bamboo and herbs. Wild hogs, barking deer, mouse deer and various birds are found.

Pha Pak Wan Prehistorical Painting. The 3,600 years old painting is on a big rock at Ban Phu Takham. It features women standing in line and holding each other’s shoulder. Pha Nam Joke the high cliff on the peak of Phu Pha Lek offers view of Huay Huad Reservoir and overview of Udon Thani and Khon Kaen.

Nam Phung Dam is the first rockfill dam in Northeast Thailand is 1,720 metres long and 40 metres high. The dam generates electricity and supply to people in Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom.

National Parks Thailand

By Car, Taxi or Minibus, from Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Ban Phai which connects Highway No. 23 to Maha Sarakham, then continue the journey along Highway 213 via Kalasin to Sakon Nakhon, a total distance of 647 kilometres.

Air Conduction buses and regular buses depart from Mochit 2 Bus Terminal Bangkok every day. For more information Tel: +66 (0) 2 936 2852-66. Or visit website.

There are no direct trains from Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon. You can take a train from Hua Lamphong station Bangkok to Udon Thani and continue the journey by bus or taxi to Sakon Nakhon. Tel: +66 (0) 2 223 7010-20 for more information.

Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon every day. There are also many flight options on the regions budget airlines from Bangkok to Udon Thani. From  Udon Thani you can take a bus or taxi to Sakon Nakhon See Transport Services Thailand.

Air Rail and Bus Time Tables

Ruam Nam Jai Thai Sakon Fair and Red Cross Fair is held at the beginning of each year by the city hall, the fair comprises floats showing cultures and tradition of different ethnic groups in the province such as Phu Thai, So, Yor, Saek, Ka Lerng, Kula, Vietnamese and Chinese.

The float parade starts from Ming Muang Field at 2:00 pm. via Sukkasem Road. To the city hall. Entertainment includes folk culture contest, traditional dinner and performances on the stage.

The Wax castle procession is held during the 12th-15th day of the waxing moon in October to mark the end of Buddhist’s Lent. The festival is an exciting showcase. On the night of 13th day, people will join hands in decorating wax castle at Ming Muang Field.

The 14th day a beautiful wax castle from different temples will join the procession, roaming the municipality to Wat Phra That Cherngchum Woravihara. Isaan people believe that the wax will welcome Lord Buddha who comes back from the heaven to help all creatures on earth.