An Excursion to Ancient Cultural Sites in Upper Northeast Thailand

Dec 24, 2021

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An Excursion to Ancient Cultural Sites in Upper Northeast Thailand

The Upper Northeastern Thailand, particularly the northwest part or the Phu Wiang Basin and the upper reach area in Udon Thani and Sakon Nakhon Basins, is endowed with rich but relatively little known prehistoric archaeological resources. Pioneering excavations at the archaeological site of Non Nok Tha in the 60s and Ban Chiang in the 70s, for example, provided a wealth of evidence for long-term human occupation for thousands of years. An archaeological study of the site of Non Muang in Chum Pae district in the early 90s revealed the region was subsequently occupied and played an important role as an early Buddhist center in the Dvaravati period in the 11th-12th century AD.

On Saturday, 22 to Sunday 23 January 2022, The Siam Society is arranging a Study Trip to visit Khon Kaen and Udon Thani provinces. Come join us in a journey to incredible cultural heritage sites in the Upper Northeastern Area of the Khorat Plateau. You will see, learn, and experience vestiges of past cultures that are still actively important for people in the area. We will bring you to prehistoric and early historic sites with unique and significant traces of human past cultures.

Dr Thanik Lertcharnrit is an associate professor of archaeology and full-time faculty member at the Department of Archaeology, Silpakorn University. He earned his BA with honours in archaeology from the Department of Archaeology, Silpakorn University in Bangkok, MA and PhD degrees from the Department of Anthropology, Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, USA. During the past 30 years, he has done archaeological research and excavations of prehistoric sites in central Thailand, and has published numerous articles on the subject.

When

Saturday, 22 to Sunday, 23 January 2022

Leader

Dr Thanik Lertcharnrit, Associate Professor of Archaeology, Silpakorn University

Booking

See information below

Or contact Khun Supanut
supanut@thesiamsociety.org

Day 1: Saturday, 22 January: Bangkok – Khon Kaen – Kumphawapi
– Please check yourself in at Air Asia counter, Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (terminal 2)
07:20 Depart Bangkok Don Mueang Airport by Air Asia flight FD3250 for Khon Kaen Airport.
08:30 Arrive at Khon Kaen Airport and proceed for breakfast at a local restaurant.
Morning: Visit Chum Phae Historical Park (Non Muang Ancient Town).
– Proceed to Phu Wiang district.
– Lunch at a local restaurant or picnic lunch at Phu Wiang National Park Office.
Afternoon: Explore the newly discovered prehistoric rock painting inside the Phu Wiang Park and visit some other interesting sites in the area. Walk along a trail to reach some of the sites, which are quite distant. After that, proceed to Udon Thani province.
Evening: Arrive at Nong Harn, Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani province. Check in at a local resort.
– Dinner and overnight at the resort.
Day 2: Sunday, 23 January: Kumphawapi – Ban Chiang – Bangkok
 
Morning: Take an early morning boat ride for sightseeing at Nong Han Lake (ทะเลบัวแดง), one of the biggest freshwater lake in Isan. The lake is home to various species of fish, birds, and aquatic plants. The water lilies bloom from December to February.
– After that, return to the resort for breakfast and checking out.
– Proceed to Ban Chiang district. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit Ban Chiang National Museum and its related excavation sites.
– Proceed to Udon Thani Airport for the return flight.
17:30 Depart Udon Thani by Nok Air flight DD307 for Bangkok Don Mueang Airport.
18:30 Arrive at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport.
The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

Booking

Note – The Society requires all study trip participants to be fully vaccinated. We kindly ask that you attach appropriate proof(s) of vaccination indicating 2 (TWO) doses of Sinovac, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine along with your registration.

– To comply with the measures set forth by the government in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and in order to protect yourself and others around you, the Society kindly asks our participants to follow the appropriate safety and precautionary measures as stipulated by the government and health organisations.

The contribution of THB 13,000 (THB 14,000 for non-members), single room surcharge THB 700 will cover airfares, transportation, accommodation for 1 night (two persons per room), meals as mentioned in the programme, gratuities and other costs incurred to make this trip possible. In addition, basic travel insurance is included. There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges. Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society”. Alternatively, you can transfer the money to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7. Please fax or e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.

For further information and bookings please contact Khun Prasert at Tel. 02-661-6470-3 ext. 504 or Khun Supanut Tel. 02-661-6470-3 ext. 506, Fax 02-258-3491 or email: supanut@thesiamsociety.org. The Society office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

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