Khao Chan Ngam Cave and temple in Korat
You will find this temple and cave in at Ban Loet Sawat, near Sikhiu, about 45km from Korat. It’s not easy to locate from Mittrapab (Road 2). You will see that inscription near kilometer 200-2001. Then, you must do about 3 kilometers to reach the temple.
The temple is known for its rock paintings found in 1938. They are located near a cave. The temple offers free parking and free admission. They made a concrete road around 2011 and it is easier to reach the paintings. You will also find some buddha statues in that area.
This is the small cave. The old drawings can’t be seen on that picture.
They are located on the upper left, about 5 meters up.
Here are the prehistoric rock paintings (pictograph) dated about 3,000 to 4,000 years old.
The pictures show men, women and children with bows, arrows and dogs. It reflects the day to day life, like hunting and dancing, painted in a red coarse paint. It is believed to have been done by an agrarian community living in that area 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.
For more pictures of that place:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50651722@N03/sets/72157651342104250/Visitor Tips
Located in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), this is one of the many dining options available to visitors and expats in the Isaan region of Thailand. When visiting restaurants in Korat, it is customary to order several dishes to share. Most restaurants in this area serve both Thai and international cuisine, and staff often speak some English.
Getting There
Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) is located approximately 250 km northeast of Bangkok. You can reach Korat by bus from Bangkok’s Mo Chit terminal (about 3.5 hours), by train from Hua Lamphong station, or by minivan from Chatuchak. Tuk-tuks and songthaews (shared trucks) are the most common local transport within the city.
About Isaan Cuisine
The Isaan region of northeastern Thailand has its own distinct culinary tradition, influenced by Lao and Khmer cultures. Signature dishes include som tam (spicy papaya salad), larb (spiced minced meat salad), sticky rice (khao niao), and grilled chicken (gai yang). Food in Isaan tends to be spicier and more sour than central Thai food, using ingredients like padaek (fermented fish sauce) and fresh herbs.
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Isaan et nord-est de la Tha’lande
The Cave and Elephant Paintings
Khao Chan Ngam (เขาจันทน์งาม) is a limestone hill about 45 km from Korat near Sikhiu, hiding a series of caves that contain prehistoric rock art. The most remarkable paintings depict elephants – rendered in red ochre pigment, believed to be several thousand years old. The elephant images vary in size and detail, and seeing them in the half-light of the cave, clearly painted by human hands from an unimaginably distant past, is a quietly moving experience.
The Temple Complex
Above and around the cave entrance, a working Buddhist temple clings to the cliff face. Monks live here, and the grounds blend natural rock formations with meditation pavilions, shrines, and statues. The walk up involves climbing some steep steps, but the views from the higher levels over the surrounding forest are excellent. The temple atmosphere is calm and genuine – this is not a tourist attraction in the commercial sense; it is a place of active worship that happens to welcome visitors.
Practical Information
The site is located at Ban Loet Sawat near Sikhiu, approximately 45 km from Korat. From Highway 2 (Mittrapab Road), look for the sign around kilometre marker 200–201. Turn off and follow the road for about 3 km to the temple. There is no entrance fee, though donations to the temple are welcome. Wear comfortable shoes for the climb and dress modestly. Arrive in the morning for the best light inside the cave.
