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Kalasin

Kalasin is the Province of Fa Daet Song Yang Ancient City, Pong Lang Folk Music, Phu Thai Culture, Phrae Wa Silk, Pha Saweoi Phu Phan, the Lam Pao River, and Million-year-old Dinosaurs.

Kalasin is one of the most fertile provinces in the northeastern region and has a long history dating back to the prehistoric era. Kalasin contains the largest concentration of Jurassic era dinosaur fossils in northeastern Thailand, located in Phu Kum Khayo where archaeologists have excavated whole fossils of Sauropods. Another ancient site located near Kalasin is Fa Daet Song Yang. Excavations there have revealed several remnants and artifacts of monuments and temples that provide evidence of prehistoric inhabitation. According to archaeological evidence, the area was once inhabited by the Lawa tribe, whose Lavo civilization dates back about 1,600 years.

Modern Kalasin was established during the Ratanakosin period in 1793 when Thao Somphamit and his troops escaped from the left bank of the Mekong River and settled beside the Pao River, which was called Ban Kaeng Samrong. Thao Somphamit then sent tribute to King Rama I the Great, founder of the Chakri Dynasty, who later promoted Ban Kaeng Samrong to city status and renamed it Kalasin or Mueang Nam Dam (black water town). The king also appointed Thao Somphamit as Phraya Chaisunthon, first ruler of Kalasin.


Kalasin is known across Thailand for its Pong Lang music and the famous Phrae Wa cloth. A principally agricultural region, Kalasin is also known for its sticky rice, manioc, and sugarcane. Other popular products include bamboo baskets and cloth bags.

Otherwise, visitors to Kalasin are typically most impressed by the archaeological treasures contained in the province, including the largest concentration of Jurassic era dinosaur fossils in northeastern Thailand, where archaeologists have excavated whole fossils of Sauropods that lived 120 million years ago.

Transport

As a province somewhat off the typical tourist route, Kalasin can only be reached directly via private car or public bus. However, it is possible to take a train or plane to nearby Khon Kaen and then a short bus to Kalasin. Once there, it may be easier to get around with your own car, but there are standard forms of local transport available for visitors: i.e. songtaew, motorbike taxi, and tuk tuk.

Getting to and from Kalasin

  • By Train:
    There is no train service to Kalasin, so visitors must take the train from Bangkok to Khon Kaen and then catch a bus from Khon Kaen to Kalasin, a distance of 75 kilometers. The State Railway of Thailand has daily rapid train, express train, and air-conditioned sprinter train services to Khon Kaen. For more details, call SRT at Tel. 1690, or 0 2220 4334, 0 2220 4444, Khon Kaen Railway Station, Tel. 0 4322 1112, or visit www.railway.co.th.
  • By Car:
    Kalasin is 519 kilometers from Bangkok by road. Take highway No.2 (Mittraphap Road) from Bangkok heading to Saraburi & Nakhon Ratchasima until you reach Amphoe Ban Phai of Khon Kaen province. Continue on Highways No. 23, 213 and 209 (Maha Sarakham - Kalasin).
  • By Bus:
    The Transport Co., Ltd. provides air-conditioned and ordinary bus services daily from Bangkoks Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) to Kalasin. More details can be obtained at the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2), Tel. 0 2936 2841-48, 0 2936 2852-66 or www.transport.co.th.
  • By Air:
    There are no direct flights from Bangkok to Kalasin, but you can get a flight from Bangkok to Khon Kaen and then catch a bus to Kalasin, a distance of 75 kilometers.

Getting Around Kalasin

As in most rural Thai provinces there are typically songtaews that follow established routes around the provincial capital and between towns within the province. Songtaews, motorbike taxis, samlors (pedal powered three-wheeled cabs) and skylabs, a local form of tuk tuk, are usually available for private charter as well. There is an also public bus service to Kalasin town from other districts.


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