The Sikhottabong stupa festival.

Sikhottabong stupa festival draws devotees from far and wide

Crowds of people from Laos and neighbouring countries are flocking to the Sikhottabong stupa festival taking place from February 3-6 in Thakhaek district, the capital of Khammuan province, to pay homage to one of the most sacred Buddhist stupas in the region.

TPeople donate alms in front of the hall of King Sikhottabong.

The Sikhottabong stupa, which measures 25 metres on each of its four sides and rises to a height of 30 metres, is one of the province’s main attractions.
The revered shrine is located in Muangsoum village, not far from the centre of the provincial capital. The stupa on the Mekong riverside, about six kilometres to the south of the town, is an important cultural icon of Khammuan province and Laos.
The huge structure is believed to have been constructed in the same period as Pha That Phanom in Thailand, Pha That Inghang in Savannakhet province, and Pha That Luang in Vientiane, which were all built in the Lao Lanexang style.

The stupa was originally built in the 6th century during the reign of Chao Souminthalath but has been renovated many times since then, including in 1539 under the orders of Chao Phothisalath and in 1568 during the reign of Chao Xaysetthathirath.
The festival is held annually during the full moon in February and coincides with the Vat Phou Festival in Champassak province.
Deputy Director of the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Manothong Phongsavath, said that last year more than 300,000 people visited Khammuan province as tourists.
“We are working to improve the services we offer visitors so they are satisfied with the standards here,” he said.
Visitors to Khammuan can certainly enjoy a multitude of interesting places, and the local cuisine is also worth sampling.
The name Thakhaek means “guest landing”, with the word “khaek” meaning guest and the word “tha” referring to the town’s earlier function as a popular landing spot for the boats of foreign traders.
Thakhaek district is situated by the Mekong River in central Laos while on the other side of the river lies Nakhon Phanom province in Thailand. 
Much of the architecture in Thakhaek’s old quarter can be traced back to the days of French occupation in the early 20th century.

Devotees wait for almsgiving at the hall of King Sikhottabong.

At the heart of the old town is a square with a fountain, where many old buildings still stand. The old town was centred around a broad plaza that stretched away from the river for a couple of blocks.
The original exteriors of the old French houses were brown, but over the years the colours of many of them have darkened, and most now appear to be black. These buildings are certainly eye-catching and are reminiscent of the architecture to be seen in the paintings of old European artists. 
The French were eventually forced out of Indochina in the 1950s but recollections of their presence remain in their former colonies, with the most notable feature being their architecture.

During the late 19th century, the French began to colonise the area known as Indochina, and by the early 20th century they controlled vast areas of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
During the French colonial period, Thakhaek was an important town, especially for trade along the Mekong.
Visitors can enjoy several pleasant hours strolling around the town. Most of the interesting buildings are within five or six blocks of the plaza, in either direction. The best way is to make a loop walking down the riverfront, or one block away from the river, until reaching the end, then head over one block further in and walk back.
Some of the old French buildings have been preserved because of their historical value and cannot be demolished. A few have been turned into restaurants or guesthouses, which perpetuates their usefulness and helps to keep them restored.
In terms of other attractions, Khammuan province is home to Khamphaeng Hin (Khammuan’s Great Wall), Buddha cave, Nang Ene cave, Tha Falang, and Hua Phou Sout (a scenic lookout point).
In early 1946, the French army occupied various areas of Thakhaek district.
Prince Souphanouvong, who went on to become the first president of Laos following the country’s liberation from foreign domination in 1975, led the people in a courageous attempt to defend Thakhaek against a brutal invasion by French troops. He fought bravely against the French, but he and the townsfolk were unsuccessful in their efforts to repel the invaders.
On March 21, 1946, Souphanouvong ordered those who remained after the violent skirmish to cross the Mekong Rriver to Thailand.
Souphanouvong later returned to Laos and continued to fight for liberation along with other revolutionary Lao leaders.
Khammuan province is located in the centre of Laos and is about 360 kilometres south of Vientiane.

By Khonsavanh Latsaphao
 (Latest Update February 7, 2023)