Wat In Si Chom Phu District

[lopburi3]

Looking for driving directions to small wat in Si Chom Phu District of Khon Khen. Village name is Ban Dong Lan (sp) but unable find on any map. Wat name is Tam Thai Wong (sp).

[Geoffrey Burt]

??

[Geoffrey Burt]

mmm

[lopburi3]

Didn't expect anyone would know but there is always the chance. Seems those that live there can not agree on how to get to it either and will meet our bus at a police check point and ride the 30km or so from Si Chom Pu to cave. Sounds like its off road 2133.

[SFOFarang]

Lopburi 3 -

My wife is from Ban Dong Lan in the Si Chomphu District. I have been to a Wat located in a cave on the side of a mountain in the Dong Lan area. When you park your car at the bottom of the small mountain, you climb appriximately 100 stairs to get to the Wat in the cave. Sorry, but I do not remember the name of this Wat. I am not sure if you and I are speaking about the same Wat.

Also, the village of Dong Lan has changed it's name in the past year to Sum Jum Pa. I do not believe that this is the correct spelling. Once you arrive in Si Chomphu north of Chumphae via Highway 228, you take a road hading west from Si Chomphu to Dong Lan/Sum Jum Pa which is approximately 30 kilometers from Si Chomphu. It is mostly dirt roads when you drive from Si Chomphu to Dong Lan/Sum Jum Pa.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

[lopburi3]

Thanks very much. It sounds like it is probably the same Wat. Think only about 2-3 monks full time at the place we are talking about but expect 2 or 3 more will join them from another small Wat in Chaiyaphum. We have a full size bus making the trip so hope the roads will be dry next month.

[lopburi3]

Follow up.

Had thamboon Sunday with 14 monks and about 150 townsfolk. Wat is Tham Pha Phuang (my spelling was really bad on that one) and a limestone cave is on the mountain. Located at the end of a very narrow dirt road of about 2km which our bus was the first to ever go. Had to enter from the Loei (201) side as the normal route from Si Chom Phu had overhanging trees that farmer would not let temple trim. Was an 8 hour bus trip to and another 8 back so we were not very active and only a few climbed the steps. Met truck from temple at Chum Phae who led us in or would never have found it in the dark and with all the turns required. Also helped to have bus firm official as part of our group or am sure driver would never have continued around some of the tight turns. Can not say enough about the hospitality of both the monks and residents to this bunch of city folks.

[SFOFarang]

lopburi3 -

It sounds like the same Wat in a cave on the side of a mountain which is 10 minutes from my wife's family village of Dong Lan. Once you climb the stairs, there is an absolutely beautiful view of Isan.

It sounds like you had a great experience. As you know, this area is in the middle of nowhere and one must know the directions or have a driver who does to access the area. This is the real Isan so to speak. The locals are poor but extremely friendly and hospitable.

A once in a lifetime experience!

[blackcountryboing]

If anyone is looking this up nowdays its not far from my place, and the roads have now been upgraded, so easy to get to from Si Chomphu.

[Gary A]

Looking for driving directions to small wat in Si Chom Phu District of Khon Khen. Village name is Ban Dong Lan (sp) but unable find on any map. Wat name is Tam Thai Wong (sp).

Probably more than 20 wats listed within 20 kilometers but none with a name close to that.

[blackcountryboing]

HI,

Its further past Si Chomphu than that.

If you are heading from Chum Phae go through Si Chomphu about 2 to 3 Km

The second sign you see with the number 3 on it turn left, immediatlely on your left then will be a school football pitch and a Wat,

The road winds a bit out the first village then you will see a place on your right, called Tbones farm. you will then hit another village, go to the end of this village and turn right and a left at the t junction..

They are just improving the road at this bit now.

YOu will then come to a long straight about 5km then a sharp left and right, keep on this road and you want to head toward Tep Chomphu ( this is my Village Big House on the road into the village).

keep following the road and you wil go around another village, you will then hit a dirt track and have to make a left turn until you find the temple.

Its sign posted on the road in but only in Thai.

Sorry if this discription is a bit crappy but i dont have any mapping to look at at the mo to post a proper route.

I will sort something out when i can.

The temple is ok by the way, a bit of an eye sore though as they have stuck this concrete monster temple on the side of the hill, right next to the cave.

Send me message if you want to go and i can sort some better instructions or give you a thai phone number to make things easier.

Enjoy.

[blackcountryboing]

Got it,

Ignore where the map says Si Chomphu as it is before then.

Take the first left before the second 228 road number between wang phoem and Si Chomphu.

You are on the right road now and the signs are in Thai.

[blackcountryboing]

Anyone else visited?

[dan2uk]

Hey all, yes i have been to this temple many times, my girlfriend lives about 3 km away, it is very hard to find if no-one has ever shown you before, and i can not see it on any maps my self, even on google earth....

The easiest way to get there is to head out of Si Chomphu...(heading north) {The left turn is not far from Sichomphu}

Take a left when you get to a long grey wall with a bus stop on the corner, its also got a small shop there and a road straight opposite. (You will see a small petrol dispenser in the shop window)

Head straight up this road until it finishes

Take a right and keep going straight straight straight..

There will be lots of windy corners and lots of open fields (if you see a small shrine set back in trees you know your on the right track)

Keep going and eventually you will see a very large ferang house on your right (just before a 90 degree left corner- the house is huge and looks out of place very noticable)

after 1000 yards keep going and you will come to a large council office on your right, it has railings to the front of it.

When you get here your not far off.

If you ask one of the locals there will point you in the right direction.

Lots can speak english in this village as my girlfriend lives there.

Its very hard to find and get on the right road as there are many many small roads here.

You can turn right at this council office and head down the road there will be a school on your right, as the wall finishes for the school you can turn left head straight down this road, eventually the road ends and you can turn left or right, TURN RIGHT

Now drive along this dusty small road for 10 minutes and you will see the temple on the mountain.....

Once you see the big budha on your left you have cracked it.

Such a brilliant place...............