Kaeng Sam Phan Bok, aka the Grand Canyon of Thailand, is one of the most spectacular attractions of this beautiful country. This fascinating natural phenomenon, with its picturesque views and pristine nature, amazes every visitor. Sam Phan Bok translates to “3000 shallow lakes” in Laotian.
The longest section of rock along the Mekong River is called Sam Phan Bok. Sam Phan Bok is also referred to as Thailand’s Grand Canyon because of the attractive layer of pockmarked rock that has been eroded over time by the Mekong River’s strong currents during the flood season. A long-tail trip along the Mekong River will give you a new view of the canyon.
The largest rock reef in the Mekong River is called Sam Phan Bok. It may be found in Thailand’s Isan area, namely in the rural northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, which is bordered to the east by Laos and to the south by Cambodia.
History, highlights, and structure of Sam Phan Bok
The Sam Phan Bok is situated in the province of Ubon Ratchathani. The stunning Sam Phan Bok that exists now was developed from a clump of sandstone that had been worn by the stream for thousands of years into a sizable rock groove. The Sam Phan Bok is a large stone yard with many holes and pits.
Each Bok has a distinct form, yet underneath it all lies a beauty that awaits visitors to discover for themselves. The most well-known Bok or hole is the “arch bridge-shaped stone cliffs,” which are breathtakingly magnificent, especially in the evening as the sun sets on the rock and riverbed.
One of the fun things to do in Sam Phan Bok is to observe the Boks to see the shape of each one of them and impose a meaningful interpretation on them. The dog-shaped cliff is one odd rock that should be seen. According to a narrative, a city lord found a gold cache under the rapids in the distant past. A dog was left to watch over the hole, but the greedy monarch chose to grab the riches and flee via another hole.
Other famous shaped holes in this place are two heart-shaped Boks or a hole that looks like Micky the Mouse!
How to get to Sam Phan Bok?
You will have to travel over 700 kilometers if you are leaving from Bangkok to Sam Phan Bok. Along the trip, you’ll see a number of other breathtaking sights, such as Pha Taem National Park and other breathtaking waterfalls. You can take a van from Khong Chiam to go to Sam Phan Bok, and then you can either walk down to the river’s edge or pay to use a four-wheeler to get closer.
Regulations regarding Sam Phan Bok
There are some rules for visitors coming to Sam Phan Bok to preserve this site from destruction and protect its pristine nature. Some of the regulations regarding this attraction are:
- You can not climb the rocks.
- You can not write messages or carve on the rocks.
- The visitors should follow the instruction of the guides in Sam Phan Bok, and you can not walk around and do anything you like.
In general, be careful not to cause damage to the rocks and holes. - Stay for the night! This one’s not a rule with a prosecution. It’s most likely a recommendation. Most people come to Sam Phan Bok and leave before sunset. Whenever you come here, stay till the sun goes down. It’s the ideal location for stargazing at night due to the devoid of commercial structures. You’ll miss the gorgeous sight of the stars lighting up the reef if you leave Sam Phan Bok before sunset.
Final words about Sam Phan Bok
Sam Phan Bok is a relatively unexplored natural beauty since it is not commonly known outside of Isan. It’s easy to explore this unique rock reef on foot by yourself due to the small number of visitors that come to this place.
Sam Phan Bok is a must-visit attraction in Thailand that most travelers that come to Thailand haven’t heard about it. Make sure you visit this place on your trip to Thailand to make your trip double special.
