The province is located in the valley of the Mun river, a tributary of the Mekong. To the south of the province is the Dângrêk mountain chain, which also forms the boundary to Cambodia.
Khao Phra Wihan National Park covers an area of 130 km² of the Dângrêk mountains in the southeast of the province. It was established on March 20, 1998. It is named after the Khmer temple Prasat Preah Vihear (Anglicized in Thailand as Prasat Khao Phra Wihan), located in Cambodia, which had been the issue of boundary dispute between the two countries and was thus unaccessible for most of recent history.
At the boundary survey done by France for the Franco-Siamese treaty of 1907, despite the geographical divide of Dângrêk Mountains's watershed, the temple was left on the French (Cambodian) side, while the boundary in other parts followed the watershed. In 1962 the dispute was officially settled by the International Court of Justice, confirming the 1907 boundary.
Due to the many ruins found in the province the area must have been an important settlement already in the times of the Khmer empire in the 12th century. According to local tradition it was called Sri Nakorn Lamduan at that time, later it became known as Khukhan. Khukhan was made a town during the reign of King Boromaratcha III. In the northern area controlled by Khukhan Lao began to settle, which in 1786 was made the separate town Sisaket dependend on Khukhan. 1904 the town Sisaket was renamed Khukhan, while the old town got the name Huai Nua. 1912 Monthon Udon Thani was created, which took over most of the administration of the area. When in 1933 the monthon were dissolved, the province Khukhan was again directly administrated from Bangkok. In 1938 the town and province was renamed to Sisaket, and the district which contained Huai Nua got back the name Khukhan.
The provincial seal shows the Prasat Hin Ban Samo, a Khmer temple about 1000 years old, located in the Prang Ku district.
The symbol flower and tree of the province is the White Cheesewood (Melodorum fruticosum). The six leaves of the flower refer to the six original districts of the province - Khukhan, Kantharalak, Uthumphon Phisai, Kanthararom, Rasi Salai and Khun Han.
Khmer ruins
The area around Sisaket is famous for its numerous ruins of the Ancient Khmer Era. Some of the most noteworthy are:
Tamnaksai Khmer Ruins (Tamchan Khmer Ruins) ปราสาทตำหนักไทร (ปราสาททามจาน) - have a single brick stupa on a sandstone base. The stupa has rectangular shape and one real door at the east while the other three are fault doors with carved door frame on the brickwork.
Bas relief - carved on the red sandstone cliff, depicts three gods in Khmer style. Khmer craftsmen probably practised here first before the real carving at Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Sra Trao or Huay Trao - The stream runs through plain rock at the foot of Preah Vihear Mount, before running through a subterranean tunnel strengthened by rock walls. It is assumed that the low land was a Barai or Khmer reservoir.
Phra That Ruang Rong (พระธาตุเรืองรอง) - The temple's architecture is a gracefully blending of art from four ethnic groups in Lower Northeast namely Lao, Suay, Khmer, and Yer. The 6-storey Phra That or stupa is 49 metres high.
Sra Kampaeng Noi Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทสระกำแพงน้อย) - The Khmer ruins include a laterite stupa and chapel with a big pond at front, all are in the embrace of laterite wall. In the 13th century, additions in the Bayon architectural style were made. At that time the place hada a community hospital known as ‘Arokaya Sala’.
Sra Kampaeng Yai Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทสระกำแพงใหญ่) - It is the biggest and most perfect Khmer Ruin complex in the province. The site includes three stupas on the same base lining in North-South direction and facing east. It was a shrine dedicated to Shiva before being changed into a Mahayana Buddhist temple in 13th Century.
Huay Tap Tan Khmer Ruins or Ban Prasart Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทห้วยทับทัน หรือ ปราสาทบ้านปราสาท) - It comprises 3 brick stupa on laterite base aligned in North-South direction standing in the laterite walls with arch gates. The carved lintels depicting the churning of the sea of milk lies in front of the southern stupa.
Plang Ku Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทปรางค์กู่) - The Stupa of this Khmer ruin complex was built in gigantic-size. In front of Plang Ku is a big pond which is home to Anatidae species which gather from February onwards.
Ban Samor Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทบ้านสมอ) - This small Khmer ruin is located in Moo 2 Ban Tamchan, Tambon Samor. Built in the 13th Century, its stupa houses a carved statue.
Taleng Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทตาเล็ง) - feature a single stupa standing on a rectangular base. The stupa's base is facing east. Presently, only the front wall and some side walls remain.
Preah Vihear Sanctuary (ปราสาทเขาพระวิหาร) - The cliff-top Khmer sanctuary is part of a disputed area between Thailand and Cambodia that has drawn much attention. It was listed as an antique architectural site by the Fine Arts Department and with an announcement in the Royal Gazette on October 11, 1940. After an international Court ruling on July 15, 1962, the sanctuary is on the Cambodian side of the border.
Wat Maha Buddharam (วัดมหาพุทธาราม) - The Buddhist temple’s vihara houses ‘Luang Por To’ the sacred icon of Sisaket. Built during Khmer era over a thousand years ago, the statue was originally carved from stone and decorated later at unknown time.
Phra Viharn National Park
Khao Phra Viharn National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาพระวิหาร) - The park features dry evergreen forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest with tree species like Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Shorea siamensis and Xylia xylocarpa var. kerrii. It is home to numerous wildlife which roams between two countries such as wild hog, deer, barking deer, rabbit, squirrel, gibbon and civet. Phra Viharn National Park features interesting sights including:
Double Stupas - Two sandstone stupas, or ‘Phra That’ for the local people, in cube shape and round top are situated west or Mo E-Dang Cliff. The stupas house items that mirror the prosperity of the Khmer period.
Don Tuan Khmer Ruins - Built during the 10th -11th Century, the Khmer Ruins in Ban Phume Sarol is located 300 metres from Thailand-Cambodia border. Legend tells that in the past a lady known as Nang Nom Yai or Nieng Non dor (in Khmer), stopped to rest here on her way to visit a king.
Mo E-Dang Cliff - One of the best bird’s eye view point of Northeast, the red-colour rock cliff is situated right on Thailand-Cambodia border.
Namtok and Tham Khun Sri - The three-tiered waterfall, above the cave, is situated west of Sra trao close to trail to Phreah Vihear. Khun Sri Cave is of gigantic proportions and was believed to have been the accommodation of Khun Sri, a noble man who controlled rock cutting at Sra Trao at the time of the construction of Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Namtok Phu La-Ō (น้ำตกภูละออ) - Situated in Phanom Dongrak Wildlife Sanctuary, Tambon Sao Thongchai, the small waterfall turns vibrant during September to February.
Other sights
Somdet Sri Nagarin Park (สวนสมเด็จศรีนครินทร์) - With landscape of rolling hills, the park is nourished by two streams, Huay Poon Yai and Huay Poon Noi that meet north of the park. Here is rich of ‘Lamduan’ or Lamdman Tree, making it a nice place for botanical excursion.
Fruit Orchard of Sisaket (เส้นทางเที่ยวชมสวนชิมผลไม้ศรีสะเกษ) - Some 5 km from Amphoe Kantaralak, on the right of highway 226 (Kantaralak-Pha Mor E-Dang) there is a 20-km (16 km on asphalt road) cutting through villages. These villages are significant fruit producers of Sisaket. Their major products include rambutan, durian, longan, mangosteen, stink bean and rubber.
Khun Ampai Panich Building (ตึกขุนอำไพพาณิชย์) - The beautiful building belongs to Sisaket nobleman Khun Ampai Panich (In Naga-siharat). It is well renovated and preserved, and eventually won gold medal in the project of conversing urban architecture in 1987.
Wat Pa Maha Jedi Kaeo (Wat Larn Kuad) (วัดป่ามหาเจดีย์แก้ว [วัดล้านขวด]) - The Buddhist temple is remarkable with architectures made from million of colourful glass bottles donated by the people. Its architecture is interesting, particularly the pavilion called ‘Sala Thansmo Maha Jedikaeo’ Ubosoth located mid of the pond.
Namtok Samrong Kiat (Namtok Pisad) (น้ำตกสำโรงเกียรติ [น้ำตกปีศาจ]) - Originating in [[Kantung Mount in the Bantad Range, this medium-sized waterfall turns vibrant from late rainy season to winter, from September to February.
Namtok Huay Chan (Namtok Kantrom) (น้ำตกห้วยจันทร์ [น้ำตกกันทรอม]) - Originated from Phu Salao Mount on Bantad Range, the waterfall cascades beautifully before meeting with Mun River. The falls is vibrant from September to Frebruary.
Sisa Asoka (ศีรษะอโศก) - is a community model in self sufficiency, showcasing people who prefer Buddhism-devout lifestyle. Its remarkable success attracts organizations from nationwide to study its story.
Namtok and Tham Khun Sri - The three-tier waterfall, above the cave, is situated west of Sra trao close to trail to Phreah Vihear. And Khun Sri Cave in gigantic size was believed once was accommodation of Khun Sri, noble man who controlled rock cutting at Sra Trao for constructing Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Chong Arn Ma - The border check point between Thailand and Cambodia is in Tambon Song, Amphoe Nam Yuen, Ubon Ratchathani.
Source: Wikipedia
Khao Phra Wihan National Park covers an area of 130 km² of the Dângrêk mountains in the southeast of the province. It was established on March 20, 1998. It is named after the Khmer temple Prasat Preah Vihear (Anglicized in Thailand as Prasat Khao Phra Wihan), located in Cambodia, which had been the issue of boundary dispute between the two countries and was thus unaccessible for most of recent history.
At the boundary survey done by France for the Franco-Siamese treaty of 1907, despite the geographical divide of Dângrêk Mountains's watershed, the temple was left on the French (Cambodian) side, while the boundary in other parts followed the watershed. In 1962 the dispute was officially settled by the International Court of Justice, confirming the 1907 boundary.
Due to the many ruins found in the province the area must have been an important settlement already in the times of the Khmer empire in the 12th century. According to local tradition it was called Sri Nakorn Lamduan at that time, later it became known as Khukhan. Khukhan was made a town during the reign of King Boromaratcha III. In the northern area controlled by Khukhan Lao began to settle, which in 1786 was made the separate town Sisaket dependend on Khukhan. 1904 the town Sisaket was renamed Khukhan, while the old town got the name Huai Nua. 1912 Monthon Udon Thani was created, which took over most of the administration of the area. When in 1933 the monthon were dissolved, the province Khukhan was again directly administrated from Bangkok. In 1938 the town and province was renamed to Sisaket, and the district which contained Huai Nua got back the name Khukhan.
The provincial seal shows the Prasat Hin Ban Samo, a Khmer temple about 1000 years old, located in the Prang Ku district.
The symbol flower and tree of the province is the White Cheesewood (Melodorum fruticosum). The six leaves of the flower refer to the six original districts of the province - Khukhan, Kantharalak, Uthumphon Phisai, Kanthararom, Rasi Salai and Khun Han.
Khmer ruins
The area around Sisaket is famous for its numerous ruins of the Ancient Khmer Era. Some of the most noteworthy are:
Tamnaksai Khmer Ruins (Tamchan Khmer Ruins) ปราสาทตำหนักไทร (ปราสาททามจาน) - have a single brick stupa on a sandstone base. The stupa has rectangular shape and one real door at the east while the other three are fault doors with carved door frame on the brickwork.
Bas relief - carved on the red sandstone cliff, depicts three gods in Khmer style. Khmer craftsmen probably practised here first before the real carving at Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Sra Trao or Huay Trao - The stream runs through plain rock at the foot of Preah Vihear Mount, before running through a subterranean tunnel strengthened by rock walls. It is assumed that the low land was a Barai or Khmer reservoir.
Phra That Ruang Rong (พระธาตุเรืองรอง) - The temple's architecture is a gracefully blending of art from four ethnic groups in Lower Northeast namely Lao, Suay, Khmer, and Yer. The 6-storey Phra That or stupa is 49 metres high.
Sra Kampaeng Noi Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทสระกำแพงน้อย) - The Khmer ruins include a laterite stupa and chapel with a big pond at front, all are in the embrace of laterite wall. In the 13th century, additions in the Bayon architectural style were made. At that time the place hada a community hospital known as ‘Arokaya Sala’.
Sra Kampaeng Yai Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทสระกำแพงใหญ่) - It is the biggest and most perfect Khmer Ruin complex in the province. The site includes three stupas on the same base lining in North-South direction and facing east. It was a shrine dedicated to Shiva before being changed into a Mahayana Buddhist temple in 13th Century.
Huay Tap Tan Khmer Ruins or Ban Prasart Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทห้วยทับทัน หรือ ปราสาทบ้านปราสาท) - It comprises 3 brick stupa on laterite base aligned in North-South direction standing in the laterite walls with arch gates. The carved lintels depicting the churning of the sea of milk lies in front of the southern stupa.
Plang Ku Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทปรางค์กู่) - The Stupa of this Khmer ruin complex was built in gigantic-size. In front of Plang Ku is a big pond which is home to Anatidae species which gather from February onwards.
Ban Samor Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทบ้านสมอ) - This small Khmer ruin is located in Moo 2 Ban Tamchan, Tambon Samor. Built in the 13th Century, its stupa houses a carved statue.
Taleng Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทตาเล็ง) - feature a single stupa standing on a rectangular base. The stupa's base is facing east. Presently, only the front wall and some side walls remain.
Preah Vihear Sanctuary (ปราสาทเขาพระวิหาร) - The cliff-top Khmer sanctuary is part of a disputed area between Thailand and Cambodia that has drawn much attention. It was listed as an antique architectural site by the Fine Arts Department and with an announcement in the Royal Gazette on October 11, 1940. After an international Court ruling on July 15, 1962, the sanctuary is on the Cambodian side of the border.
Wat Maha Buddharam (วัดมหาพุทธาราม) - The Buddhist temple’s vihara houses ‘Luang Por To’ the sacred icon of Sisaket. Built during Khmer era over a thousand years ago, the statue was originally carved from stone and decorated later at unknown time.
Phra Viharn National Park
Khao Phra Viharn National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาพระวิหาร) - The park features dry evergreen forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest with tree species like Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Shorea siamensis and Xylia xylocarpa var. kerrii. It is home to numerous wildlife which roams between two countries such as wild hog, deer, barking deer, rabbit, squirrel, gibbon and civet. Phra Viharn National Park features interesting sights including:
Double Stupas - Two sandstone stupas, or ‘Phra That’ for the local people, in cube shape and round top are situated west or Mo E-Dang Cliff. The stupas house items that mirror the prosperity of the Khmer period.
Don Tuan Khmer Ruins - Built during the 10th -11th Century, the Khmer Ruins in Ban Phume Sarol is located 300 metres from Thailand-Cambodia border. Legend tells that in the past a lady known as Nang Nom Yai or Nieng Non dor (in Khmer), stopped to rest here on her way to visit a king.
Mo E-Dang Cliff - One of the best bird’s eye view point of Northeast, the red-colour rock cliff is situated right on Thailand-Cambodia border.
Namtok and Tham Khun Sri - The three-tiered waterfall, above the cave, is situated west of Sra trao close to trail to Phreah Vihear. Khun Sri Cave is of gigantic proportions and was believed to have been the accommodation of Khun Sri, a noble man who controlled rock cutting at Sra Trao at the time of the construction of Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Namtok Phu La-Ō (น้ำตกภูละออ) - Situated in Phanom Dongrak Wildlife Sanctuary, Tambon Sao Thongchai, the small waterfall turns vibrant during September to February.
Other sights
Somdet Sri Nagarin Park (สวนสมเด็จศรีนครินทร์) - With landscape of rolling hills, the park is nourished by two streams, Huay Poon Yai and Huay Poon Noi that meet north of the park. Here is rich of ‘Lamduan’ or Lamdman Tree, making it a nice place for botanical excursion.
Fruit Orchard of Sisaket (เส้นทางเที่ยวชมสวนชิมผลไม้ศรีสะเกษ) - Some 5 km from Amphoe Kantaralak, on the right of highway 226 (Kantaralak-Pha Mor E-Dang) there is a 20-km (16 km on asphalt road) cutting through villages. These villages are significant fruit producers of Sisaket. Their major products include rambutan, durian, longan, mangosteen, stink bean and rubber.
Khun Ampai Panich Building (ตึกขุนอำไพพาณิชย์) - The beautiful building belongs to Sisaket nobleman Khun Ampai Panich (In Naga-siharat). It is well renovated and preserved, and eventually won gold medal in the project of conversing urban architecture in 1987.
Wat Pa Maha Jedi Kaeo (Wat Larn Kuad) (วัดป่ามหาเจดีย์แก้ว [วัดล้านขวด]) - The Buddhist temple is remarkable with architectures made from million of colourful glass bottles donated by the people. Its architecture is interesting, particularly the pavilion called ‘Sala Thansmo Maha Jedikaeo’ Ubosoth located mid of the pond.
Namtok Samrong Kiat (Namtok Pisad) (น้ำตกสำโรงเกียรติ [น้ำตกปีศาจ]) - Originating in [[Kantung Mount in the Bantad Range, this medium-sized waterfall turns vibrant from late rainy season to winter, from September to February.
Namtok Huay Chan (Namtok Kantrom) (น้ำตกห้วยจันทร์ [น้ำตกกันทรอม]) - Originated from Phu Salao Mount on Bantad Range, the waterfall cascades beautifully before meeting with Mun River. The falls is vibrant from September to Frebruary.
Sisa Asoka (ศีรษะอโศก) - is a community model in self sufficiency, showcasing people who prefer Buddhism-devout lifestyle. Its remarkable success attracts organizations from nationwide to study its story.
Namtok and Tham Khun Sri - The three-tier waterfall, above the cave, is situated west of Sra trao close to trail to Phreah Vihear. And Khun Sri Cave in gigantic size was believed once was accommodation of Khun Sri, noble man who controlled rock cutting at Sra Trao for constructing Preah Vihear Sanctuary.
Chong Arn Ma - The border check point between Thailand and Cambodia is in Tambon Song, Amphoe Nam Yuen, Ubon Ratchathani.
Source: Wikipedia
