:: Festival

Chao Pho Phraya Lae Festival is held during January 12-20 every year. The festival's highlight is a procession to pay homage to Phraya Lae, an elephant parade, shops selling many products, exhibitions, and a produce contest.

Candle Festival is in July. This Buddhist ceremony features a procession and a giant candle-carving contest featuring candles as elaborate as those in the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani.

:: Hotels and accommodation

Charoen Hotel :: 196/8-9 Yutithum Road Amphoe Muang [Tel: 0 4481 1194-5] :: :: 180-320 Baht

Loet Nimit :: 447/1 Niwetrat Road Amphoe Muang [Tel: 0 4481 1522-3] :: :: 200-900 baht

Rai Cha Thep :: Thep Sathit Road Amphoe Ban Rai [Nakhon Pathom Office Tel: 0 3447 3603] :: :: 600-1,500 baht

Rattanasiri :: 677 Non Muang Road Amphoe Muang [Tel: 0 4482 1258-60] :: :: 160-300 baht


Sirichai Hotel :: 565/1 Non Muang Road Amphoe Muang [Tel: 0 4481 1461, 0 4481 1543] :: :: 190-800 baht

:: Restaurants

Local Cuisine

Ban Jaew Waew :: Niwetrat Rd., Muang, Tel: 0-4481-2656

Ban Suan Chokchai :: Niwetrat Rd., Muang, Tel: 0-4482-1836

Chaliang :: 269 Chaiyaphum-Bang Kawao Hwy., Muang, Tel: 0-4481-2013

Don Lanam Food Court :: 10 Km marker, Chaiyaphum-Sikiew Hwy., Muang, Tel: 0-4482-2338 ext 131

Friends Korean Beef :: Bannakarn Rd., Muang, Tel: 0-4481-2441

Krua Khun Ploy :: Bannakarn Rd., Muang, Tel: 0-4481-1335

Ngao Mai Food Court :: 5 Km. marker, Chaiyaphum-Sikiew Hwy., Muang, Tel: 0-4482-1708

Past Time Pub :: Chai Prasit Rd., Muang

Rim Thung Food Court :: 17 Km marker, Chaiyaphum-Sikiew Hwy., Muang

Sirichai Cafe :: Sirichai Hotel, Noan Muong Rd., Muang, Tel: 0-44 81-1461, 0-4481-1181

:: How to get there

:: By car

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Si Khio, then turn into Highway No. 201 and proceed to Chaiyaphum via Dan Khun Thot and Chaturat, a total distance of 342 kilometres.

:: By bus

There are many private companies that operate bus services from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum. Buses depart from Mochit 2 Bus Terminal every day. Call 0 2936 2852-66 for more information.

:: By train

Regular trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station (1690, 0 2223 7010-20) to Bua Yai Railway Station which is 51 kilometres from Chaiyaphum.

:: By plane

Visitors can fly from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima or Khon Kaen and continue the trip by bus to Chaiyaphum. Call Thai Airways at Tel: 1566, 0 2628 2000.