My Journey to Roi-Et

It was Friday morning after logging; the school van is rushing to Roi-Et province where the walking Buddha statue stands. The Name Roi Et translates to 101, which refers to the original 11 satellite cities around the main city as well as the 11 city gates. To express the importance of the city the number was exaggerated to 101.

What a lucky day to capture this longest standing Buddha statue in Thailand. Geographical area of this province is covered by plains about 130-160 meters above sea level, drained by the Chi River. In the north of the province are the hills of the Phu Phan mountain range, with the Yang River as the major river. The temple is home to Phra Buddha Rattana Mongkon Maha Munii, also known as Ong Phra Chao Yai or Phra Suung Yai, the tall standing Buddha. Believed to be the tallest, standing Buddha in the kingdom, Phra Buddha Rattana Mongkon Maha Munii stands 67.8 metres high, measured from the base to the top of the crown. The highly revered principle Buddha image stands in the ‘Offering Blessings’ (prang prataan porn). Several rooms located in the basement of the statue serve as a museum. Opening hours: 08.00 – 17.30 hrs.


Camping time – after visiting the Buddha statue, we drop to a small restaurant. One of the famous foods in Thailand is Somtam (papaya salad) that mostly serve and usual food to eat with my companions. A few hours we arrive to the teacher’s camp and chat with some Thai teachers in different provinces. I installed the tents that they give me as my shelter in the night. Chatting and eating is all about in that camp and of course drinking as I remember most Thai teacher’s really good of alcohol drinks. After dinner, I and my friend play cards for an hour. I’m not totally good as they are in playing cards so I bored of playing. Anyway, I feel like I’m bit sleepy, so I start to walk through my tent to sleep. The place is quiet and humid but even that I couldn’t sleep my mind still revolving. I go out my tent and take a look the surroundings, one notice me is the old dead tree that looks so weird to me. I go back and get my camera and take some pictures.