Phra That Rueang Rong

Phra That Rueang Rong is a 49-metre chedi on the edge of Si Sa Ket town, and it’s more modern and more interesting than it first looks. Rather than an ancient ruin, it was built from 1981 by the monk Luang Pu Thamma Pitaksa in the folk-art style of the province’s four peoples — the Suai (Kuay), Khmer, Lao and Yer — with a museum of their cultures inside. Entry is free, and it sits about 8 km northwest of the town centre.

What to see

The chedi rises from a square base roughly 30 metres a side, built to resemble a chariot drawn by two oxen — an unusual, distinctly local touch. Inside, its floors work as a folk museum: exhibits of Isaan legends, the “twelve customs and fourteen ways” of regional tradition, and displays on the four tribes whose art decorates the building. It’s a rare case of a temple designed as much to teach local culture as to enshrine relics, and it makes a quick, rewarding stop.

Insider Tip: Climb to the upper levels — the views over the flat Si Sa Ket countryside are the payoff, and the ascent walks you past the folk-culture exhibits floor by floor. Go in the morning for cooler air and softer light on the gold.

Getting there

It’s about 8 km northwest of Si Sa Ket town, in the far northeast near the Cambodian border. A tuk-tuk or your own vehicle gets you there easily; public transport is limited this side of town. Dress modestly, as at any temple.

Watch out: Don’t come expecting an ancient monument — the appeal here is the four-tribe folk art and the museum, not age. Taken on those terms, it’s one of Si Sa Ket’s most distinctive sights.

Phra That Rueang Rong is at Ya Plong, Mueang Si Sa Ket District, Si Sa Ket 33000. View on Google Maps.