Ban Chiang Historical Village

[khall64au]

Is Ban Chiang in Udon Thani province? Am a little confused with conflicting research.

Thanks

[jdinasia]

Several Stone Age settlements have been excavated, notable among them are Ban Kao in Kanchanaburi province and Non Nok in Khon Kaen province. The most important archeological site of early Thai civilization is at Ban Chiang village, in Udon Thani province in the northeastern part of Thailand. Excavations have uncovered painted pottery, jewelry and bronze and iron tools dating from about 3600 BC. The settlement seems to have lasted until around 250 BC, after which the people mysteriously faded from history. The people at Ban Chiang comprised only one of the cradles of Asian civilization and an area that was inhabited for thousands of years before the emergence of the first Thai state.

from http://www.thailand.com/travel/overview/overview_history.htm

[khall64au]

Thanks for the link JD - my research indicates that Ban Chiang was a Bronze Age settlement and the civilisation mysteriously disappeared around 200 AD.

Is tricky fact-checking as there are so many sources with so much conflicting info.

I think Udon Thani is correct tho.

Cheers!

[jdinasia]

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/575

don't know if you could call this authoritative but http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/575

[ray23]

Well one thing for sure not far from Udon, I've been there several times, I didn't get the impression that it disappeared at any point. Actually Iwas kllet wiht the impression that many of those living in the village Decindents of the original peoples.

I rember one disply depicting fishing in the llake adn wehn I stepped outside and looked at the lake it might has well have been the exibit I had been looking at. People fishing in that lake.

It was an amazing feeling

Not sure that is Udon Province or not but it might be

There are other sites around not far form Udon one a national park with mountians and you can see sea shell in the soil, had to be underwater at sometime.

This truly is a country with a very long history.

[bina]

ray,

they disappeared.

the ban chiang population of today are puan thai and speak puan thai (laos from a specific area)they came over from laos dont remember when exactly ...they have some of their own dances and songs and do a ban chiang day once a year where all the school kids perform etc. many many families are intermarried because the family groups tended to prefer puan thai over other groups; this is changeing however many people mentioned that to me and there seemed to be a larger then usual (visible to the eye) amount of children with retardation (possibily due to small gene pool as happens to beduin groups or other ethnic groups that prefer to 'marry within the 'tribe'. ) this is only my anthropological observation and supposition.

very close to nongkhan which is an even 'larger' city; not too far from udon by car; a long way by motocy... did that too. there is a very nice wat paa in ban chiang; and a taalaat once a week at the big wat (dont remember the name).

i taught in a ban chiang elementary school for two weeks. it was located on the main, wide road dont the street from the police headquarters .... had a nice time ; did the museum four times (with classes)... but it was too city for me.

i did like a homestay type thingy; lived in two different houses (single woman in each one); one a wealthier woman married to an invisible farang, and one woman a widow with three daughters looking for a wealthy farang man... she works part time in the museum.

i have three addresses if u are looking for places to stay: one is an actual room u can rent from an interesting woman whose husband is in hong kong, one is across from the school (not sure if she still does this program, but she has no room, u sleep on the floor in her shop that she also has, old fashioned thai style; the third one has a room in her house too; she has a teenage son in a boarding school in udon. i did a program thru someone in nongkhai (wont mention name or company) but wasnt thrilled with the way the program was run. my time spent however was good and a good learning experience.

bina

bina

[Tilokarat]

Not too far from the museum is a vineyard where the gentleman, now retired, has a winery. I believe he sells mangosteen, mango, ginger and one other brand of wine. It sells for 200 baht a bottle.

[mackayae]

Ban Chiang National Museum is in Tambon Ban Chiang, Amphur Nong Han, Udon Thani Province. 46 km east of Udon Thani city. 16 km east of Nong Han town. Just off of Highway 22. Only 5 miles from the Boundary with Sakon Nakon province. There are 3 wats in the near vicinity: Wat Po Si Nai, Wat Sa Kaeo, Wat Pa Thep Prathan Phon. Highway 2225 (5 km long) which connects Ban Chiang to Highway 22 is arguably the best paved road in the province.

[ray23]

Thanks Bina I live in Udon and have for about four years now, I try to go to the Heritage festivel each year, really very nice.

The other site is new to me, could you try to give the best directions you can. I belong to a big bike group here and maybe we could plan a ride there.

The Vineyard do they have grapes growing here?

[bina]

i think wat po si nai is the wat paa?? not sure; anyway, there were a few mee chi living there and a small zoo sort of set up with a few deer etc... have pics somewhere with name on the sign....

i never really left the muubaan limits; hung around, ate, taught, walked around a bit as i like to sit and talk with people and am less interested in sites, and then continued on to visit thai friends in ban chiang kham (about half an hour motorcy ride) and then nonghkhai and home. that was my first trip :(and on my own too) to thailand.

there seemed to be a few farang guys in ban chiang; there was one guy i met, older, with older thai wife... they spent a lot of time fishing. dont remember names. maybe it was one of u!!?

bina

[Tilokarat]

Yes, he does grow grapes, but for some reason, has difficulty getting a deep red colour in the wine. He explained the reason for this to me, but, as usual, I forgot. I will get his name and address and post it tomorrow. When you leave the museum he is across the street at the end of the road going to the right.

[ray23]

Intersting I'm really trying to get some table grapes going for personal use, I knew about Loie but wasnt sure how that would work here as there is a difference in climate although only a little. If he is getting grapes I could probably get a start with cuttings. Just a little project to keep busy LOL

[Tilokarat]

The owner of the vineyard, Mr. Trirat Tantaha, is the uncle of my girlfriend. Most of her family originated in Ban Chiang, but she and another sister live in Udon Thani. The address of the winery is, 213 Moo 9, Tambon Banchiang, Nonghan, Udon Thani Province, 41320. His fax is, 042-235238. And it is called, Ban Chiang Winery.

[khall64au]

The owner of the vineyard, Mr. Trirat Tantaha, is the uncle of my girlfriend. Most of her family originated in Ban Chiang, but she and another sister live in Udon Thani. The address of the winery is, 213 Moo 9, Tambon Banchiang, Nonghan, Udon Thani Province, 41320. His fax is, 042-235238. And it is called, Ban Chiang Winery.

Out of interest ... have you tried the wine from Ban Chiang Winery? Is it worth mentioning in a tourism article?

Many Thanks

[Tilokarat]

Hi! Yes, I tried the mangosteen wine and liked it; however, I must admit I rarely drink any alcohol so I am no expert. However, on my second trip to the winery, my girlfriend and I were accompanied by an Italian friend from New York who does no a thing or two about wine. He felt the mangosteen wine was a good after dinner drink.

The gentleman who runs the winery is very interesting. He worked with the Americans during the Vietnam War, and then worked with Americans, as a cook, in Saudi Arabia for a number of years. He saved his money, retired, and set up this winery.

I think that he would be overjoyed if you mentioned his winery in a tourism article, and it might be an added incentive for tourists to visit Ban Chiang. His place is just down the road from the museum. Tell him that Bob and Boom Beem say hello! You should try to contact him. Thanks.

[ray23]

Thanks I will definetly visit sounds like fun.

[khall64au]

Thanks I will definetly visit sounds like fun.

*** I just had a BRILLIANT idea **** Thai Visa travel trips - let's put Ban Chiang Winery on the brochure!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tilokarat]

That is a very nice idea, which is much appreciated. Thank you so kindly.

Bob and Boom Beem

[ray23]

Well we made the trip yesterday easy to find. 65 Klms from Udon on Hwy 22, towards Sunkunakorn ( spelling up to you ) signs are marked as to the Ban Chaing in English. When yuo get to town juast go staright to a T intresection at the Wat, turn right. Go one block and turn right again. Kess the a KLm on the left side you will find the winery clearly posted with beautiful signs.

After four years in Issan the owner Pilot speaks better english then I do. He ha several varieties of wine and wants yo tot ate all of them. He is a genorous guy by nature and his pours reflect that, not a good thing if your on bikes and we were.

He is typical of Issan people if you can speak to them, when you go to his business you are a guest. I doubt tht you will find any better hosptitality. The wine is delicious, some from mangos and others from blackberry and others from grapes.

We purchased four bottles at 180 each, and some delicious ripe mangos from his ancient tree they are great. This is a great liitle excursion and you will be well rewarded fro the effort. We will definetly be back again.

Someone asked me if Mango wine had a alcohol content yes 12 %

Ban Chaing Winery

Mr. Trirat Tantaha ( Pilot)

042-235237

Have fun we did

[Tilokarat]

Thanks so much for the post, which is much appreciated. It seems that you and your wife had a good time at the Ban Chiang winery. Pilot, and his family, are very hospitable, very friendly and very knowledgeable. He spent at least ten years working in Saudi Arabia as a cook for Americans, and also, with his brother, worked in Udon Thani with the Americans when they had a base there during the Vietnam War.

I will pass on your comments and photographs to my good 'friend' in Udon Thani. I think she will be pleased by your remarks.

Thanks again.

[ray23]

Well your very welcome I don't normally do that, but his man was exceptional. My wife was taking the phots that is the wife of a fellow rider we all had fun. If you visit Ban Chaing it is a must to visit Pilot, you won't be disappointed.

I will definetly be back kagain

[john128]

Not sure if you want to go to Ban Chiang for the wine or the archeology. What I can tell you is that the archeological site has been moved due to flooding some five or six years ago. Not sure exactly where it was moved to although I do know it was to somewhere quite local on higher ground. A bit disappointing to find this out when I last went in comparison to the the times earlier. It really was quite a find before!

Now you are not even allowed into the building they erected around the site...all moved to the building opposite where there is a video of the whole thing as it was before.

Earlier postings stating Udon province and abot 5km from Sakon Nakhon province border on highway 2 are correct.

Hope this is of some help.

[Tilokarat]

Hi Ray! My very special 'friend' and her uncle, Pi-lot, were really pleased and touched that you visited the Ban Chiang winery. They hope that you will visit again, and they thank you for your kind words.

Meanwhile in Toronto, it is 5 degrees, windy and wet!

Sawasdee Phii Mai!