Overview
Introduction
That Panom, Thailand, is a sleepy Mekong River town 375 mi/600 km northeast of Bangkok that is seldom visited by foreign tourists, but it's worth the effort it takes to get there. As the crow flies, it's not much farther from Bangkok than Udon Thani, but it takes a lot longer to reach.
That Panom is a destination for Thai pilgrims because the 1,000-year-old chedi (monument) at the temple is said to contain a fragment of Buddha's breastbone. The beautiful grounds of the temple, its statues, carvings and the impressive Khmer-style white-and-gold chedi itself make for excellent photographs. Those who get there will see one of the few corners of Thailand that is (as yet) unspoiled by tourism. If you plan to visit during the annual lunar festival celebration in February or March, book your hotels far in advance. Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims descend on That Panom, and hotels will be booked for miles. There is also a silk and cotton weaving village, easily reached by bus or bicycle, about 7 mi/10 km away.