Khao Kradong Forest Park
Kradong Buddha
Although I live on the border of the provinces of Buriram and Surin, I have long felt that Buriram is treated quite poorly when it comes to tourism promotion. Yes, dear reader, there is football with Buriram United and the car races on the Chang International Circuit, but that doesn't interest me at all... That's why I occasionally dwell on culturally-historically interesting sites in this province on this blog.
Khao Kradong Forest Park is one of the main tourist attractions in Buriram province and is located on the outskirts of the provincial capital of the same name. The Park was formally opened to the public on May 3, 1978 and is over 200 km² in size. At the center is the Khao Kradong volcano. The southern part of this mountain becomes Khao Yai or Grote Berg while the north side Goodbye or Little Mountain. Originally this mountain bore the name Phantom Kradong which would stand for turtle mountain in Khmer, a reference to the shape of this mountain.
The crater in the shape of a half moon is located at an altitude of 265 m. The volcano was probably last active 300.000 to 400.000 years ago, making it one of the youngest on Thai territory. When I first visited this place almost 12 years ago, people were busy bulldozing part of the crater.to be decent' and they had just built a simple wooden viewing platform on the edge. When I visited this site a few days ago I was pleasantly surprised by the result of these adjustments. There is now a neat boardwalk next to part of the crater and you can cross to the other side over an exciting wobbly suspension bridge with steel tension cables. The massive lava blocks that are scattered in the area are reminders of the origin of this park area.
At the top are the remains of a sandstone Khmer shrine, probably dating from the 13e century dates. This ruin was built at the end of the 19e century transformed into a bell tower in which, in addition to a number of antique bronze bells, a replica of a footprint of the Buddha can be found. The huge seated Buddha, Phra Suphattharabophit next to the shrine has a base that is 14 meters wide, while the statue, which is mostly made of brick and cement, is more than 20 meters high. On nice days, the terrace in front of the Buddha offers an impressive panorama of Buriram city and the surrounding area.
Scattered in the forest you can find different Buddha statues and smaller shrines at various locations. In 1969, the 297-step naga staircase was built that takes you from the parking lot at the foot of the mountain to the top, but less sporty visitors can also simply drive to the top by car or shuttle bus. Adventurous kids can slide down a lava slide behind the Buddha from the top to the ring road at the crater.
Every year, the monastic community at the foot of the mountain on the full Monday of the 5e lunar month (April) organized the Khao Kradong Festival. With the exception of the days when the nearby Buriram race track breaks down all the decibels of hell, this is a quiet place that invites contemplation and reflection.
Nice piece Jan! My wife's family lives near Aranyaprathet, and since it's not that far of a drive, I think it would be a nice trip when we go to Thailand again, thanks for the tip! Does anyone happen to know how expensive the entry fee is for this beautiful park?
The park is accessible for free. If you don't want to take the stairs, you can also go up by car, just like me.
The Dutch Wikipedia writes “Many remains from that time (Khmer, H.) are still visible. The largest of these are on a dead volcano, the ruins in the Phanom Rung Historical Park.” If this is about the same park, are we using the wrong name or are there more than one common name?
Good story and a nice place to be, and fortunately not spoiled by mass tourism. Just have to say that Jan has calculated at least one zero too many for the surface area of “200 square km”. In my opinion, not even 20 square km comes close.
There are also excellent trails for the disabled. The toilets are nothing short of beautiful. You go there for fun. While washing your hands you have a view of the wooded crater.
And all of that is completely free.