Hidden places

This series covers places where not many tourists show up. Discover the gems, that lie off the beaten tourist track!
Only attractions where, during my entire visit, I haven’t come across more than five other international tourists make it into this category. I don’t count local tourists.

The Million Bottle Temple (Wat Lan Khuat) near Sisaket

This temple – officially named Wat Pa Maha Chedi Gaeuw – that I so desperately wanted to see, ever since I had heard of its existence, was the reason I decided to rent a car. The temple is located about 50 kilometres south of Sisaket in the small settlement of Khun Han. Once I arrived there, I had to stop and ask for directions.

Knowing the right words in Thai would be helpful in such situations, but one can get by without it quite easily. The locals are very helpful, often calling in the help of someone who speaks decent English and who is always happy to help a lost stranger. Sometimes that means waiting around for a while, and the promised translator cannot always be relied upon to actually show up. In that event, good old sign language should do the trick.

The temple itself does not require much explanation on my part. The pictures really speak for themselves. All temple buildings are partially or completely constructed out of glass bottles. Still, the temple is a place of worship and quietude, and calls for the same seriousness and composure as all other temples in Thailand.

The floor is made from bottle bottoms. 🙂

Bottle caps were utilized for the picture at the altar.

The temple’s crematorium.

One of the monks’ huts.

Even the toilet cubicles are made from bottles.

For once, I forgo flushing the toilet.

How to get there

Sisaket does not offer a great choice of transport options to tourists. It is impossible to rent a motorcycle; or perhaps I just did not come across the right places. A tuk-tuk driver may charge up to 3000 Baht to drive you around for a half a day; perhaps 2000, if you are good at negotiating. I eventually settled on renting a car in Ubon Ratchathani to discover the area around Sisaket on wheels. If you have an international driving license, this should not be a problem.

The international license also has additional advantages when you get checked by the local police: The officer who stopped me obviously did not want to spend his time deciphering this “strange document”, so he just sent me back on my way, despite the fact that I was probably driving a little faster than the speed limit at the time.

Driving in this part of Thailand is quite the mellow activity. It is advisable, however, to drive conservatively, always keep an eye out for anything unexpected, and to refrain from enforcing your right of way – otherwise you may be involved in a car accident before you know it. Slow and steady will get you to your destination almost as fast, and you do not risk totalling your rental car.

I rented my car, a mid-range Toyota, from Jay-Jay Car & Motorcycle Hire on the corner of Supphasit and Nakronban Street in Ubon Ratchathani, 0896 255 823. For the whole day I paid 1300 Baht, plus 3000 Baht deposit. Topping up the tank with gasohol 91 (slightly cheaper than petrol 91, and works fine) set me back another 1030 Baht. All in all, the car cost me less than hiring a tuk-tuk for a day, and it is definitely a more comfortable way of getting about, so not a bad choice at all.

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