![Nong Khai, Thailand](/images/icons/icon_thailand.gif)
![Visiting the Salakaewkoo (Giant Buddha Park) in Nong Khai](/2020/apr/salakaewkoo/thumbnails/salakaewkoo.jpg)
Visiting the Salakaewkoo (Giant Buddha Park) in Nong Khai
Location : Salakaewkoo, Nong Khai, Thailand
Admission: Baht 40/foreigner
Salakaewkoo
Salakaewkoo is an outdoor Buddhist-Hindu-inspired concrete sculpture park created fairly recently in 1974 with close to 100 art installations. It's located along the banks of the Mekong River in Nong Khai, practically across the river from Laos where the artist developed his first Buddha Park in Vientiane. Some sculptures are massive, even towering-up to 7 stories high. This park looks like the extension of the original Buddha Park in Laos. When the communists took power in Laos, he became alarmed and moved to Nong Khai where he developed Salakaewkoo together with his devotees.
![Visiting the Salakaewkoo (Giant Buddha Park) in Nong Khai](/2020/apr/salakaewkoo/images/salakaewkoo.jpg)
Luang Poo Boun Leua Sourirat
Salakaewkoo is the creation of a Lao mystic shaman named Luang Poo Boun Leua Sourirat who described himself as half man, half snake. As a young man, he fell into a hole in the forest and met the acetic Kaewkoo who lived at the bottom. He was taught all secrets of the underworld, mostly about snakes which were the principal inhabitants of that realm. He trained as a Hindu Rishi in Vietnam and amalgamated Hinduism into his theology. He and his devotees toiled on this project for over 20 years, up until the artist's death in 1996. His mummified body is kept within the grounds on the 3rd floor of the building that was built after this death - on his instructions. The place became neglected after this death which necessitated intervention by the local government. Still, as of my visit, the place remained kept in some areas and dilapidated on some.
Ending Thoughts
Luang Poo Boun Leua Sourirat seems like an interesting person who ran a cult. Most information about him is just recycled info from the internet. It would be good to have a conversation with any of the surviving devotees who are still around and get the real dish on this eccentric shaman.
If you are already in Nong Khai, you should check out this site!
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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Buddha Park blogs
- Visiting the Salakaewkoo (Buddha Park) in Nong Khai, Thailand Apr 23, 2020
- Do-It-Yourself Tour of Buddha Park in Vientiane, Laos Dec 27, 2014
Next stop: Understanding Yogic Chakras
Nong Khai Map
Vientiane to Nong Khai by bus
At the Khua Din Bus Terminal, you can board the #14 bus bound for Buddha Park. It will make a stop on the Friendship Bridge border - 15 mins, B8000. Go to Laos Immigration to exit. Board the special bus to cross the Friendship Bridge, Kip 4,000 or Baht 20. It will stop at Thai Immigration. Get processed. From there, board a tuk-tuk for Nong Khai, 5kms.
Nong Khai Attractions
- Nong Khai Aquarium -
- Salakaewkoo (Wat Khaek) -
- Issan Rum Distillery -
- Wat Pho Chai -
- Lan Phaya Nak -
- Tha Sadet Market -
- Nong Khai Muay Thai Gym -
- Phrathat Bang Phuan -
Nong Khai
Travel Tips for Thailand
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
- Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity - After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
- NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
- bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture - submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
- when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
- when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
- when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
Book Train Tickets in Thailand
Book Train Tickets in Thailand Online by Train36.com
General Travel Tips
- arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
- put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
- avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
- power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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