Places of Interest

The Phraya Phakdi Chumphol Statue located at the circle leading into town center, honors the founder of Chaiyaphum and was built by voluntary donations from the local people.

Not too far from town center is the site said to be where Phraya Phakdi was killed by invaders from Vientiane. Here was erected a shrine in his memory called San Chao Pho Phraya Lae, the title his people bestowed upon him, with a statue of his likeness inside. Every year, beginning on the first Wednesday of May, a week-long festival in his honor is held.

One of the oldest religious structures in Chaiyaphum, the Prang Ku is about two kilometers from the town hall. Built of sandstone, it enshrines a Dharavati Period Buddha image, which is highly revered by the local inhabitants. Bathing rites are held each year on the day of Full Moon in April.

Namtok Tat Ton in Tat Ton National Park, only 20 kilometers from town along the Chaiyaphum-Kaset Sombun highway, is a highly scenic sport excellent for rest or picnic.

Although getting there is still inconvenient, the Wua Dang Cave more than makes up for it by its beauty and the surrounding areas. Sixty kilometers from the district seat of Nong Wua Dang, the Wua Dang has a number of caves to be explored.

Another restful and scenic for spot is the Phu Faek which can be reached by following the Chaiyaphum-Phu Kieo highway twelve kilometers and turning to a side by-way for six kilometers. Phu Faek is a low sloping area with tall trees providing cool shade. The Phu Faek Holy Footprint is located nearby.

Eighteen kilometers from Amphoe Phu Kieo at Wat Phra That Nong Sam Mun is an old place of worship believed to have been constructed at the same time as the Phra That. It has been restored adn renovated, with a large reclining Buddha and plaster sculptures depiction the legend of heaven and hell, as well as the popular literature of Sang Thong.

Pha Koeng a high cliff on top the Landa Mountain, is about 30 kilometers from Chaiyaphum proper. Here is a 7-meter tall Buddha image built within a religious park.

Popular with both one-day and over-night tourists is the Chulabhorn Dam in Amphoe Khon San. Its lake-like reservoir provides beautiful scenery and surrounding. Accommodation, bungalow-style, may be booked at the Bangkok office of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

Ban Khwao renowned for its quality and elaborately patterned hand-woven silk, the village is located 13 km. from the provincial city on the Highway 225.

Ban Khai and Chaiyaphum Elephant Round-Up located 12 km. from the provincial city, Ban Khai or Ban Khai Mun Phaeo is a Chaiyaphum's elephant village. The main occupation of the villagers is to tame captured wild elephants. Being home of as numerous elephants as Surin, Chaiyaphum had the elephant round-up revived and become an annual event which takes place in January.