Thailand Borders 08: Mukdahan

 “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value...” – Albert Einstein

(A windmill at Phattong Farm in Mukdahan)

Day 08: Sunday, 17 Nov 2024
Route: Chong Mek - Mukdahan
Distance: 243 km (3:52)
Hotel: B2 Mukdahan Boutique & Budget Hotel

Breakfast with half boiled eggs, bread and a hot mug of Nescafe. Checked out and collected our deposit of B200. By 8.00 am we started our journey towards Mukdahan via Ubon Ratchathani. Stopped at PTT Lue Amnat R&R for comfort break and bought provisions from 7-eleven.

(Taking the alternative route via Ubon Ratchathani)

(The Mun river of Ubon Ratchathani)

(Driving on the Kut Pla Khao Bridge)

Ubon Ratchathani is one of the four major cities of Isan, also known as the 'big four of Isan'. The city is on the Mun River in the southeast of the Isan region of Thailand, and is located 615 km away from Bangkok. It is known as Ubon for short. The name means 'Royal Lotus City'.

(Driving on Chayangkun Road)

(Stopped at a PTT at Lue Amnat for groceries)

(A city fond of bicycles)

Stopped for photo shot at Phattong Farm. The farm was closed to visitors as it was undergoing some upgrading works. We managed to snap some photos there. Phattong Farm is a natural tourist attraction where visitors can come and experience the beauty of the flowers that bloom in winter until about February. There is small lake and petting zoo for children.

(Driving towards Mukdahan)

(The farm is closed for renovation and upgrading)

(A huge sheep statue)

(A wind mill and the Eifel Tower)

(A cafe in the farm)

We were quite hungry when we reached Mukdahan and straight away headed to Dueanja Pae Sod Food, a halal Muslim eatery in town for nasi goreng seafood and nasi ayam Hainan.

(Taking the right route to Mukdahan)

(Welcome to Mukdahan)

(We found this halal restaurant by chance)

(Tasty Nasi Ayam Hainan and variety of dishes on the menu)

After a heavy lunch, we drove to the Central Mosque of Mukdahan and performed our jamak prayers there. After, we drove a short distance to a smaller Al-Hera Pakistan mosque.

(The Mukdahan Central Mosque)

(A mosque is located by the roadside)

(A beautiful huge mosque for the Muslim community)

(Spacious main prayer hall)

(Very well equipped and decorated)

(Another smaller mosque nearby)

On the way back to Mukdahan city center we detoured to Mukdahan Thailand/Laos Border Crossing to snap some pictures. We had used this border crossing way back in our 2012 Q1 Kembara. We exited Laos from Xeno into Thailand via the newly opened Thailand/Laos Friendship Bridge.  

(Long queues of lorries entering Laos)

(Mukdahan Border Crossing)

(Thailand/Laos Boundary Post)

(Welcoming travelers from Laos)

Later we visited Indochina Market which stretches along the Mekong River for 1 km, starting from Wat Si Mongkhon Tai and passing Wat Yot Kaeo Si Wichai. Domestic and imported merchandise from Laos, Vietnam, and China are sold at this market. Most of the products are clothing, food, electrical appliances, consumer goods, souvenirs, as well as OTOP products of Mukdahan. The Indochina Market is open daily from 8.00 am - 5.00 pm.

(The way to the Indo-China Market)

(Stretches for a kilometer along the Mekong river)

Nearby, there is a viewpoint of the Mekong River, from which the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, as well as houses on the side of Savannakhet, Laos can be clearly seen. Traditional dragon-boat races between Mukdahan and Savannakhet are annually arranged on the Mekong River, in front of the Indochina Market.

(Mekong Riverside Viewpoint)

(The map of Mukdahan)

(Mekong river with Laos on the other side of the river bank)

From the market we drove to Mukdahan Tower but it was already closed. The history of the former Mueang Mukdahan, the precious antique objects of the Kingdom, and the different clothing worn by the eight tribes of the Thai Mukdahan people are exhibited in this 65.5-metre-high tower. The view point is at the sixth floor and from the observation deck, visitors can get a great view of the city of Mukdahan, the Mekong River, Savannakhet Province in Laos, and the 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.

(The 65.5 m Mukdahan Tower)

(Beautiful landscape)

It was already sunset when we visited the Shrine of the Venerable Naga. According to the folklore, there is an underwater Kingdom ruled by the King Naga beneath the Mekong River. In 2004 during the construction of the Second Friendship Bridge connecting Thailand and Laos crossing Mekong River, many fatal accidents happened that caused the construction to delay. Locals believed that the bridge was cursed because it was built on top of the entrance to the King Naga’s Underwater Kingdom. To reverse the curse, a shrine was erected next to the bridge, and the bridge was then successfully built.

(The Shrine of the Venerable Naga)

(Folklore and local belief of Mekong Naga)

(The Naga guarding the Thai/Laos Friendship Bridge)

There were eateries along the Mekong River near the Naga Shrine where locals and tourists have their dinner while listening to performing buskers.

(The 2nd Thai/Laos Friendship Bridge)

(Lively waterfront with eateries along the riverbank) 

We had roti pisang and roti telur for dinner at Bang Aed Roti Chachak restaurant in town. Tonight we checked in late at Mukdahan B2 Boutique & Budget Hotel at RM65/night.

(Bang Aed Roti Chachak Restaurant)

(Specialized in varieties of roti and smoothies)

(Feeling overly hungry after a long tiring day)

(Mukdahan B2 Boutique & Budget Hotel)

(A good night rest for tired travelers)