A little town on the banks of the Mekong, Sangkhom’s proximity to several picturesque waterfalls makes it a pleasant stop en route to Nong Khai or Loei. While it has retained some of its jungle-village charm, wooden and concrete-block houses have replaced most of the bamboo and straw-thatched huts, now regulated to the domain of tourist bungalows. The town’s drowsy pace is still welcoming, as is a stroll through streets filled with the aroma of frying banana chips, a local specialty.
Sangkhom lies on Rte. 211, between Nong Khai and Pak Chom. Transportation can be sporadic due to rising gasoline prices. Flag down buses along the main street near DD Guest House (see Accommodations). On the southern side of the road, buses go to Pak Chom (1hr., approx. 3 per day 7am-5pm, 42฿), where there are connections to many other destinations. On the northern side of the road, they depart for Nong Khai (2hr.; 7, 9am, 5pm; 56฿) via Si Chiangmai (1hr., 20฿). Buses for Bangkok (6:30pm, 571฿) leave from a small office on the main road at Soi 8. They travel via Nong Kha i (100฿), Udon (130฿), and Khon Kaen (255฿). For Chiang Khan, transfer to songthaew (1hr., 7am, 25฿) at Pak Chom. Alternatively, samlor will take you there for 350฿.
Sangkhom is essentially a one-street town. Ming Muang Road forms the spine from which numbered sois branch, increasing in number as you head west, in the direction of Pak Chom. Entering Sangkhom from Nong Khai, you’ll pass by the hospital; 1km farther is the center of town, home to the police station and the market.
Services include: police (☎042 441 080), opposite DD Guest House in the center of town.; a pharmacy (☎081 369 2000), 289 M 4 Ming Muang Rd., diagonally across from Buoy’s Guesthouse (see below), toward the market (open daily 6-7am and 4:30-8pm); Sangkhom Hospital (☎042 441 029), 72 Moo 3 Ming Muang Rd., 1km east of town; Internet access at a shop without an English sign, diagonally opposite DD Guest House (30฿ per hr., open daily 7am-8pm); Krung Thai Bank, near soi 8 with a 24hr ATM MC/V/AmEx/Cirrus (open M-F 8:30am-3:30pm); and the post office, 43 Moo 1, 1.5km from the market, after the second bridge. (☎042 441 069. Open M-F 8:30am-4:40pm, Sa 9am-noon.) Postal Code: 43160.
Most accommodations in Sangkhom provide rooms with great views of the quiet Mekong River. Though they may cost a little extra, these rooms are well worth it.
Unfortunately, the town’s market, opposite the police station near DD Guest House, is rather small. Fortunately, the accommodations in town have attached restaurants that serve up some tasty treats.
The jungle surrounding Sangkhom is dotted with caves, wats, and waterfalls. The impressive Than Thip Falls are a 15min. motorbike ride west of town. Take any bus or songthaew heading toward Pak Chom or Loei for 13km. Get off between Km 97 and 98, take a left, and go down the road for 3km. And bring your bathing suit—the second tier has a swimming hole.
Just as relaxing, though not as grand, are the Than Thong Falls, just off the road between Km 72 and 73, 12km east of town. A Nong Khai-bound bus can also take you there. Than Thong Rd. leads 4km up to Wat Pha Tak Seu, a temple with a commanding view of the Mekong. Wat Pha Tak Seu can also be reached via a 2km series of steps and trails leading up from the river road, 4km east of town. It is not advisable to take this path during the rainy season (May-December).
Wat Hin Maak Peng, 20km east of Sangkhom, is halfway between Sangkhom and Si Chiangmai, at Km 64. Any Si Chiangmai-bound bus or songthaew (10฿) will drop you off. The exteriors of these grand, modern buildings are set among richly landscaped grounds and bamboo groves. (Gates open daily 6am-7pm.)
 |
 |
 |
 |
For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
Facebook
Twitter
You Tube
Foursquare
Newsletter
RSS Feed
Overview