At the large natural wetland of Bueng Waeng, also known as Nong Waeng, resident waterbirds and waterbirds that migrate seasonally from Siberia can be found. The changing composition of the birdlife makes the season an important factor when viewing the wetland. A 2013 report describes a three-storey birdwatching tower built there for visitors. If you plan to visit the tower, check its condition beforehand.
Wetlands and waterways
The wider landscape of Khon Sawan District is also shaped by waterways. The Phu Laen Kha mountain range stretches across the west and north of the district. The Lam Nam Kam is a tributary of the Chi and flows for about 20 kilometres through the subdistricts of Nong Kham, Non Sa-at and Yang Wai. These names help place the river’s course within the region’s geography.
Nong Saeng is one of the large natural wetlands. It lies in the catchment area of the Lam Nam Kam and the Chi, in the subdistricts of Non Sa-at and Yang Wai. Nong Ben lies in the Chi catchment area and the subdistrict of Si Samran. Another river, the Lam Sam Mo, rises in Kaeng Khro District and flows through the subdistrict of Chong Sam Mo. Near Ban Sam Mo, in the Ban Khok Pho Chai minor district, it joins the Chi; its course through Khon Sawan District is about ten kilometres long.
Buddhist art and traces of the Dvaravati period
Wat Khon Sawan offers a tangible introduction to the region’s religious art and architectural history. The temple’s sim is a rectangular wooden building measuring about 5 × 7 metres. Its design is influenced by Lan Xang or local Isan culture. Inside the sim is a seated Buddha in a meditation posture, locally known as Luang Pho Ta Daeng. A large Dvaravati-period Buddha image at Wat Khon Sawan bears the local name Luang Pho Yai.
Nakhon Kalong also points to the Dvaravati period: the site is thought to have been a city from that era. Numerous inscriptions in Dvaravati script are found there on stone slabs. Together with the Buddha image at Wat Khon Sawan, the inscriptions offer a glimpse of different kinds of evidence from this period—one in the form of a religious image, the other as writing on stone.
Crafts and local traditions
In Fai village, in Nong Kham Subdistrict, a longstanding tradition of weaving reed mats is being kept alive. Mats, baskets and bags are made this way. Other domestic crafts in the district include basket weaving, textile weaving and reed-mat weaving. Alongside temple art and archaeological traces, these traditional crafts also express Khon Sawan’s cultural character.
The Khon Sawan Rap Khwan Nok Pet Nam tradition welcomes the waterbirds, and all ten local administrative bodies in the district take part. Dates vary from one edition to the next. Bun Bang Fai and the worship ceremony for Chao Pho Nong Chat and Chao Pho Nong Waeng are held in the municipal area around May or June, though the timing can vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the dates for that year’s edition.
Getting around the district
Road routes are also useful for finding your way around. National Highway 201 between Chaiyaphum and Chum Phae runs for 25 kilometres through the subdistricts of Huai Rai and Chong Sam Mo. Provincial Highway 2054 is the main road through Nong Kham, Ban Sok, Khon Sawan and Chong Sam Mo; it extends for 25 kilometres there. Provincial Highway 2065 connects to Route 2054 and links Khon Sawan District with Wang Noi and Wang Yai districts in Khon Kaen Province. Check current road signs and conditions before travelling.
For the wider travel overview: Chaiyaphum.
