Operating day: Daily

Operating time: 08.00 - 16.30

 

Bai Sema Ban Khut Ngong Bung Khla, Muang Chaiyaphum, Chaiyaphum. It is another valuable historic site passed on from a long history along with Chaiyaphum province.

 

Bai Sema Ban Khut Ngong is a sandstone Sema in Dvaravati period from 12th and 13th Buddhist centuries found in the northeast. It is a sacred object and an evidence that shows the community in Dvaravati period, when Thevarata doctrine was disseminated.

 

A boundary marker of a temple is placed to designate an area for Buddhist ritual of monks. Bai Sema Ban Khut Ngong is kept at Wat Kut Ngong School in Khut Tum sub-district. Sema stones are not only found at the temple but also around the village.

 

They are therefore collected and stored in the building. Most of them are big with a bas-relief in the front, while some were also inscribed on their back as well.

 

The bas-reliefs present the Buddhist stories of former incarnations (Jatakas) of the Buddha or idols such as the Bodhisattva standing on a lotus, the Buddha image sitting on a throne under the Bodhi tree, considered as the most beautiful ones of Northeastern Thailand. Ancient Pallava scripts of Southern India were also found inscribed on some Sema stones.

 

Travel: In case of travel by car, from Chaiyaphum city take Highway 202 for about 12 km, then turn right for about 3 km. After reaching Ban Khut Tum, turn right again to the route of Kut Tum-Bung Khla for 4 km and shortly you will reach Bai Sema Ban Khut Ngong.