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Guide to Mahasarakham: Why This Isan Province Is Your Perfect Weekend Getaway!
- Best Time to Visit Mahasarakham
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Mahasarakham
- Where to Stay in Mahasarakham
- Hop Inn Mahasarakham
- Siam Tara Palace
- Taksila Hotel
- Where to Eat in Mahasarakham
- Oshinei Maha Sarakham
- Farmsook Cafe
- Tumkratoei
- What to See and Do in Mahasarakham
- Admire Wat Puttha Wanaram’s architecture
- Stroll around Phra Borommathat Nadun
- Visit the sacred standing Buddha of Wat Phuttha Mongkhon
- Pay respects to Phra Phuttha Ming Muang in Wat Suwannawas
- Check out Prasat Ku Santarat
- Take a nature walk around the Pa Dun Lamphan Non-Hunting Area
- Explore Kosamphi Forest Park
- FAQs about Mahasarakham
If you’re like me who loves to bring my friends on impromptu trips around Thailand, then you might want to put Mahasarakham on top of your list. That’s if you don’t want a weekend getaway to hurt your wallet seriously.
With its college-town charm, Mahasarakham is a solid option because commodities are super affordable. Like many hidden gems in the Isan region that are filled to the brim with adventure, this is a sanctuary for travelers who like to avoid touristy spots.
Mahasarakham is already steeped in culture and history, but its abundant nature knocks the ball out of the park. Plus, we’re sharing all the important details you need to enjoy this off-the-beaten travel destination to the fullest, so read on!
Best Time to Visit Mahasarakham
It’s best to visit Mahasarakham from late November to early February. During this time, the province enjoys optimal weather conditions for outdoor tourist activities like temple-hopping, hiking, and picnicking.
Tourists will also enjoy a cooler daily temperature which lets them explore the province to the fullest no matter the time of day.
Things to Know
Currency: Thai Baht (Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Isan, Thai (Central Thai)
Calling Code: (+66)
Location: Mahasarakham, Thailand
Nearest Airport: Roi Et Airport (61 km)
How to Get to Mahasarakham
Bus: The conventional transportation method from Bangkok to Mahasarakham is to ride the provincial buses departing at the Nakhonchai Air Bus Station. These buses will drop you off directly at the bus station in Mahasarakham City.
Your bus trip should take between 6 and 7 hours.
Train and Bus Transfer: Taking the train from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Khon Kaen is a cheaper option for travelers going to Mahasarakham. However, this method is slower since it takes approximately 8 hours.
Plus, you still need to catch a bus from Khon Kaen City to Mahasarakham City which may take 1.5 to 2 hours.
Where to Stay in Mahasarakham
Hop Inn Mahasarakham
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Address: 27, 8 Nakhon Sawan Road, Talat
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 2 659 2899
Website: https://www.hopinnhotel.com/th/our-hotels/hop-inn-mahasarakham
Pricing: ฿
Hop Inn Mahasarakham is a well-known hotel chain providing cozy minimalist rooms and modern amenities. They also have a communal lounge where guests have access to coffee-making facilities and a microwave oven.
It’s also in a convenient location! It’s close to the local shopping spots and attractions within the city center, like Kaset Market, Wat Puttha Wanaram, Wangyao Market, and more.
Siam Tara Palace
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Address: 85 Moo 14, Theenanon Road, Koeng
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 43 706 944
Website: http://www.siamtarapalacehotel.com/
Pricing: ฿
Siam Tara Palace is a budget hotel in Mahasarakham City’s north end. It offers charming rooms with marble floors and essential amenities, plus coffee makers and high-speed WiFi!
This hotel also has elegant and spacious suites with separate living and dining areas. There’s also a casual on-site restaurant specializing in a breakfast buffet and a fully-equipped fitness center.
Taksila Hotel
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Address: 1227/68 Somthawinrat Road, Talat
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 43 719 999
Website: https://www.facebook.com/taksilahotel.newlook
Pricing: ฿฿
Taksila Hotel is in the heart of Mahasarakham City. It’s near numerous local markets and shopping spots like the Midnight Market Talat, Sermthai Plaza, Maha Sarakham, and more.
This hotel provides decked-out furnished rooms with classy rustic furnishings, sofas, minibars, entertainment systems, and more. Other notable facilities include a karaoke room, restaurant, spa, and more.
Moreover, it’s only an 8-minute walk from the Mahasarakham Bus Station, so it’s certainly one of the more accessible hotels in the city.
Where to Eat in Mahasarakham
Oshinei Maha Sarakham
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Address: 77/36 Nakhon Sawan Road, Talat
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 98 152 5694
Website: https://www.facebook.com/oshinei.MHK
Pricing: ฿฿
Oshinei Maha Sarakham is a popular Japanese buffet restaurant in Mahasarakham. It’s particularly well-known to seafood lovers!
In fact, one of its bestselling buffet options is the 590-baht sashimi buffet consisting of salmon, tuna, Japanese octopus, izumidai, etc. All of its buffet offerings have a two-hour limit, so you have plenty of time to indulge in your favorite Japanese dishes.
Light eaters will also appreciate this restaurant’s a la carte options, which includes soba, udon, steak donburi, and more.
Farmsook Cafe
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Address: 367 Moo 1, Kaeng Loengchan Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 64 996 6414
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Farmsookcafe1/
Pricing: ฿฿
Farmsook Cafe is an Instagrammable cafe known for its cutesy alfresco garden dining area filled with colorful flower beds and pink flowering trees.
It also has several photo spots, from a phone booth to a walkway with tall pink grass and a mini apple orchard. There’s also a terrace dining area with loft nets for guests who want a more comfy sitting option while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
The cafe’s wide range of Thai dishes, pastries, and refreshing drinks is also a plus. They also serve Western food like pizza and French toast with ice cream—don’t forget to try their glazed donuts!
Tumkratoei
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Address: 69/10 Nakhon Sawan Road, Talat
Operating Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 43 021 225
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Tumkratoei
Pricing: ฿฿
Tumkratoei is a local favorite in Mahasarakham. This restaurant focuses on northeastern Thai specialties from the Isan region. Don’t worry, their extensive menu also includes a wide variety of classic Thai dishes.
They also offer numerous small plate add-ons like fatty pork rinds, crispy fish skins, and century eggs.
What to See and Do in Mahasarakham
Admire Wat Puttha Wanaram’s architecture
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Address: 171, Koeng
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 43 797 016
Website: http://www.วัดป่าวังน้ําเย็น.com
Wat Puttha Wanaram is a revered temple known for its prestigious teak pavilion built using 112 wooden poles. It’s also the largest teak pavilion in Thailand with an estimated cost of around 200 million baht.
The temple also enshrines three valuable sacred Buddha images. These statues are made with over 12 kilograms of pure gold and serve as important relics paraded around the city during the Kathina Festival.
However, its most recognizable architecture is called Maha Chedi Si Maha Sarakham. It’s a massive golden bell-shaped chedi with an elongated spire and numerous smaller chedis around its base.
Stroll around Phra Borommathat Nadun
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Address: Phra That, Na Dun District
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 43 797 016
Phra Borommathat Nadun, or the Buddhist Park of Isan, is one of the most important religious sites in Mahasarakham. This massive ivory-white chedi features a round bell-shaped architecture wrapped in satin cloth and an elongated pointy spire.
It’s a reliquary enshrining the precious relics and artifacts collected in the province dating back to the Dvaravati Period. Small museums with art and antique exhibits from the ancient Champa Si Town existing here in the past surround the chedi as well.
Keep in mind that this chedi is in the middle of the circular Chulaporn Park, so there are vast green spaces for visitors to stroll around and relax.
Visit the sacred standing Buddha of Wat Phuttha Mongkhon
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Address: Khok Phra, Kantharawichai District
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 43 789 217
Wat Phuttha Mongkhon is a major place of worship in Mahasarakham. Devotees frequent this temple for its one-of-a-kind standing Buddha image anchored next to a sacred bodhi tree.
This Dvaravati-style Buddha statue is made from sandstone and surrounded by two layers of stone sema boundaries in eight directions. On the other side, there’s also an open-air prayer hall with several sitting Buddha images and hanging bells.
This place is vast, so you’ll also find a large chedi and other Buddhist buildings while strolling around the temple complex.
Pay respects to Phra Phuttha Ming Muang in Wat Suwannawas
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Address: 170 Moo 1 Thetsaban, Khok Phra, Kantharawichai District
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Phra Phutta Ming Muang is a revered standing Buddha image enshrined in Wat Suwannawas. This sacred statue serves as an important pilgrimage site, so expect to see many devotees from Mahasarakham and other provinces during your visit.
It’s believed to have healing powers so many of its visitors are people suffering from injuries and illnesses. The statue and its shrine are also known for their ancient Dvaravati style, so they’re definitely a must-see for fans of temple architecture.
Also, the shrine’s four sides are adorned with Naga handrails while its upper portion is filled with intricate gilded patterns and gem-like stained glass motifs.
Check out Prasat Ku Santarat
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Address: Ku Santarat, Na Dun District
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Prasat Ku Santarat is the main attraction in Mahasarakham’s ancient Ku Santarat Town. This stone ruin is a rectangular Khmer-style tower architecture made from laterite similar to Ku Mahathat.
It’s among the 107 kutirishi or arokayasala buildings scattered around the kingdom during King Jayavarman VII’s rule in the 13th century. Only the base of the structure is in good condition because its original roof was made using biodegradable materials.
There are small stone Buddha images enshrined within the stone ruin as well. In fact, a Bayon-style sitting Buddha and Baphuon-style Shiva and Vishnu statues were also discovered here which are now displayed at the Khon Kaen Museum.
Take a nature walk around the Pa Dun Lamphan Non-Hunting Area
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Address: Na Chueak, Na Chueak District
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 86 631 5556
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069311255549
Pa Dun Lamphan Non-Hunting Area, also known as Chulabhorn Forest Park, is a peaceful sanctuary frequented by nature enthusiasts. It boasts an unspoiled nature trail filled with a wide range of flora and fauna.
This place is best known for its large population of endemic mealy crabs. These forest-dwelling crabs have colorful bodies consisting of purple-mangosteen shells and eye sockets and yellow-orange pincers.
It’s also home to numerous other animals, from monitor lizards to pythons, mongooses, falcons, and more. There are areas dedicated to fern plants and legume trees as well.
Explore Kosamphi Forest Park
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Address: Hua Khwang, Kosum Phisai District
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Kosamphi2519/
Admission Costs: 100 baht
Kosamphi Forest Park is a tranquil hiking and picnicking site. This vast nature reserve is canopied by large overhanging Thai crape myrtle, kadam, and rubber trees.
It’s also home to wild crab-eating macaques, so be sure to be careful if you plan to feed them fruits. The park’s best part is in the northeastern section which is along the Chi River.