Kalasin Province
| Kalasin กาฬสินธุ์ |
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| Province | ||
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| Nickname(s): Green Heart of Thailand | ||
| Map of Thailand highlighting Kalasin Province Map of Thailand highlighting Kalasin Province |
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| Country |  Thailand |
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| Capital | Kalasin town | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Wirot Chiwarangsan (since October 2009) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6,946.7 km2 (2,682.1 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | Ranked 29th | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 984,907[1] | |
| • Rank | Ranked 22nd | |
| • Density rank | Ranked 30th | |
| HDI | ||
| • HDI (2009) | 0.718 (medium) (53rd) | |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
| Area code(s) | 043 | |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-46 | |
| Vehicle registration | กาฬสินธุ์ | |
Kalasin (Thai: กาฬสินธุ์, pronounced [kāːlāsǐn]) is one of the northeast (Isan) provinces (changwat) of Thailand. The province was established by the Act Establishing Changwat Kalasin, BE 2490 (1947), and it came into existence on 1 October 1947.
Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen, and Udon Thani.
Contents
Geography
Most of the province is covered by hilly landscape. In the north is the Lam Pao Dam built from 1963-1968. It stores 1,430 million m³ of water for flood prevention and agriculture. The Lam Pao reservoir effectively cuts the northern part of the province in half, but there are car ferries connecting the district of Sahatsakhan in the east with the district Nong Kung Si in the west, saving up to one hour off the journey by road. On the northwestern creek of the reservoir a road bridge connects the village of Ban Dong Bang in the west with the district town of Wang Sam Mo in the east. Although the bridge was constructed several years ago (pre-2000) it is not featured (2006) on any commercially available road maps.
The Phu Phan mountain range marks the border with Sakhon Nakhon Province, part of which is preserved as a national park.
Kalasin is famous for the dinosaur fossils found at Phu Kum Khao (Sahatsakhan District), the largest dinosaur site in Thailand. Most of the fossils are sauropods from 120 million years ago.
Economy
Kalasin is an agricultural province producing sticky rice and other cash crops such as manioc (cassava) and sugar cane. Families are generally poor in this essentially rural area and make ends meet by producing baskets and the silk for which the region is renowned.
History
Archaeological excavations show that the Lawa tribe lived in the area some 1,600 years ago. The first official town was founded in 1793.
During the thesaphiban reforms in the reign of King Rama V at the beginning of the 20th century, the town (mueang) was upgraded to a province. In 1932, when the country experienced the great economic depression, the province was demoted and included as a district into Maha Sarakham Province to reduce the financial burden on the country,[2] Kalasin was dependent on Maha Sarakham for 16 years. After the great recession and WWII, it once again became a province in 1947.[3]
Symbols
The seal of the province shows a pond in front of the Phu Phan Mountains which form the boundary of the province. The water in the pond is black, as the name Kalasin means "black water". The big clouds as well as the water symbolize the fertility of the province.
The provincial logo and landmark is the Phra That Yakhu, an octagonal-shaped chedi, made of bricks.
The provincial flower is payorm or sweet shorea (Shorea roxburghii), and the provincial tree is sa-mae-san (Cassia garrettiana).
The provincial slogan is Fa Daet Song Yang ancient city, Pong Lang folk music, Phu Thai culture, Phrae Wa silk, Pha Saweoi Phu Phan, Lam Pao River, and million-year dinosaurs.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 18 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 134 subdistricts (tambon) and 1,509 villages (muban).
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Tourism
Sights
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Phraya Chaisunthon Monument (Chao Somphamit) (อนุสาวรีย์พระยาชัยสุนทร) - The life-sized monument is made from bronze in a standing position with the right hand holding a teapot, and left hand holding a magic sword.
Wat Klang (วัดกลาง) - Within the temple compound there is an ubosot building, which was an extension of the old building. Inside a pavilion or sala near the ubosot is a black Buddha image, made from bronze. In times of drought, the locals would take the Buddha image in a procession to plead for rain.
Wat Si Bun Rueang (วัดศรีบุญเรือง) or Wat Nuea (วัดเหนือ) - The temple stores a number of crafted boundary stones from Fa Daet Song Yang ancient city. One of the most beautiful boundary stones, which are of the Dvaravati art, is the one that depicts flying angels over a prasat or palace represented by double arches, with the king, queen, and their sons at the bottom.
Kalasin Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์ของดีจังหวัดกาฬสินธุ์) - The museum was established by Mr. Chairat Mapraneet, Governor of Kalasin Province, with an aim to show the collections of good things in Kalasin.
Phutthasathan Phu Po (พุทธสถานภูปอ) - The site is where two ancient reclining Buddha images of the Dvaravati period carved on the cliff can be seen. They are the sacred images highly revered by the people of Kalasin and nearby provinces.
Ban Phokhru Plueang Chairatsami (บ้านพ่อครูเปลื้อง ฉายรัศมี) - Khru Plueang Chairatsami was declared a National Artist in 1986 in the field of folk music. He built a farmer's hut to be used as a traditional music school. The hut also displays traditional musical instruments such as "phin" (lute), "khaen" (reed organ), "so" (bowed stringed instrument), and "pong lang" (northeastern-style xylophone).
Mueang Fa Daet Song Yang (เมืองฟ้าแดดสงยาง) - An ancient town surrounded by earthen mounds with a length of about 5 kilometres. Evidence of its civilization are religious ruins in and around the city, such as a number of sandstone boundary markers with bas-reliefs.
Wat Pho Chai Semaram (วัดโพธิ์ชัยเสมาราม) or Wat Ban Kom (วัดบ้านก้อม) - An old temple with a huge collection of old boundary stones of gigantic sizes. The boundary stones found in Fa Daet Song Yang are different from those discovered in other regions, as they were usually carved telling Jataka stories and the life of the Lord Buddha.
Lam Pao Dam (เขื่อนลำปาว) - The dam was built to block Lam Pao, the Pao River, and Huai Yang, Yang Creek. The dam was constructed particularly for relieving flooding and for irrigation.
Lam Pao Wildlife Conservation Development and Promotion Station (สถานีพัฒนาและส่งเสริมการอนุรักษ์สัตว์ป่าลำปาว) or Suan Sa-on (สวนสะออน) - An abundant deciduous dipterocarp forest. Inside is an open zoo in which there are indigenous wild animals and also other fauna like gibbons, monkeys, various kinds of domestic and migratory birds, along with nature trails.
Phu Phra Forest Park (วนอุทยานภูพระ) - It features a mountain located near the villages. The plain on the backside of the mountain houses an ancient stone Buddha image. Some of the sites in the forest park include:
- Pha Sawoei (ผาเสวย) - An stone cliff, about 150–200 metres wide.
- Tham Siam Sap (ถ้ำเสียมสับ) - A cliff cave that looks like somebody had dug the cave with a spade.
- Tham Phra Rot (ถ้ำพระรอด) - A cave that occurred due to the separation of a stone cliff. Inside the cave, there is a walkway about 2 metres wide and 30 metres long.
- Pha Hin Yaek (ผาหินแยก) - A separating cliff of 20 metres long and 6 metres deep.
- Tham Phra (ถ้ำพระ) - A cave 30 metres in depth containing a Buddha image that is highly revered by locals. Every year during the Songkran Festival, people ascend to the cave to pour water on the Buddha image to pay respect.
Sirindhorn Museum and Phu Kum Khao Dinosaur Excavation Site (พิพิธภัณฑ์สิรินธร และแหล่งขุดค้นไดโนเสาร์ภูกุ้มข้าว) - More than 700 fossilized bones were found in this excavation attributed to seven dinosaurs. Phu Kum Khao is considered to be the largest and most perfect concentration of dinosaur fossils in Thailand.
Phutthasathan Phu Sing (พุทธสถานภูสิงห์) - A large image in the subdued Mara posture that is 10.5 metres wide and is clearly visible from below. The surrounding area is shady and offers a panoramic view.
Wat Phutthanimit (วัดพุทธนิมิต) and Phu Khao (ภูค่าว) houses a rock relief of an ancient reclining Buddha image leaning on his left side, which is about 2 metres long and 25 centimetres wide. Every year in April, there is a bathing ceremony to celebrate the Buddha image.
Laem Non Wiset (แหลมโนนวิเศษ) - A cape that stretches into Lam Pao reservoir.
Ban Phon Phrae Wa Silk Weaving Group (กลุ่มทอผ้าไหมแพรวาบ้านโพน) - Phrae Wa silk is a unique style of the Phu Thai ethnic group of Ban Phon. It is divided into two patterns: Lai Lak (principal pattern) and Lai Thaep (striped pattern). Phrae Wa silk is a rare handcrafted textile.
Pha Sawoei (ผาเสวย) - The king and queen visited the cliff and had lunch here, so the place's name was changed to "Pha Sawoei" ("sawoei" is a royal term for eating). As it is located in the deep valley with a high cliff, the locals also called it "Heo Ham Hot".
Namtok Pha Nang Khoi (น้ำตกผานางคอย) - A huge waterfall, cascading down from the Phu Phan mountain range. It is surrounded with abundant thick forest. There is water year-round.
Namtok Tat Thong (น้ำตกตาดทอง) - A huge waterfall with complex stone cliffs.
Phu Thai Nong Hang Handicraft Centre (ศูนย์หัตถกรรมผู้ไทยหนองห้าง) - Some of the beautiful basketry products include "krato", a vegetable container, "kratip", a sticky rice container, handbags, and other containers.
Phu Thai Khok Kong Cultural Village (หมู่บ้านวัฒนธรรมผู้ไทยโคกโก่ง) - A small hillside village inhabited by the Phu Thai ethnic group.
Phu Faek Forest Park (วนอุทยานภูแฝก) and dinosaur footprints (แหล่งรอยเท้าไดโนเสาร์) - In tambon Phu Laen Chang, hilly countryside covered with deciduous dipterocarp forest featuring various kinds of flora. It is easy to spot wild animals such as squirrels, tree shrews, civets and hares. There are 4 dinosaur footprints that can be seen clearly.
Local products
Kalasin has various kinds of local products such as Phrae Wa silk, Mudmee silk, Khit textile, basketry products, pounded pork and beef.
Culture
Festivals
Kalasin Pong Lang, Phrae Wa and Red Cross Fair (งานมหกรรมโปงลาง แพรวา และกาชาด จังหวัดกาฬสินธุ์) - Held annually in February in front of city hall. The festival features a colourful parade of each district decorated with a gigantic-sized "pong lang", a folk vertical xylophone, people dressed in traditional clothes, cultural competition, beauty pageant.
Wichit Phrae Wa Silk Festival (งานมหกรรมวิจิตรแพรวาราชินีแห่งไหม) - Held annually on 12 August at the Rimpao Hotel to honour H.M. Queen Sirikit who is a patron of Phrae Wa silk. The queen's support also helps to create employment for local Phu Thai people.
References
External links
Kalasin travel guide from Wikivoyage- Provincial website (Thai)
- Kalasin, Tourist Authority of Thailand
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Udon Thani Province | Sakon Nakhon Province | |
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| Khon Kaen Province |  |
Mukdahan Province | ||
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| Maha Sarakham Province | Roi Et Province |
