Sa Kaeo
Discover Sa Kaeo
Sa Kaeo is the capital of Sa Kaeo province, about 50 km west of Poipet (Cambodia-Thailand border) and 245 km east of Bangkok, in Eastern Thailand. It was once an important and prosperous community with a long history dating to the Suvarnabhumi and the Dvaravati Kingdoms, which is evident from various remains of ancient monuments and architecture, scattered throughout the province, and from artefacts attesting to the history and glory of the past. Apart from the historical ancient remains worthy of study, Sa Kaeo also possesses abundant natural resources such as the Pang Sida National Park, the Ta Phraya National Park, and the natural canyon-like soil sculpture caused by ground subsidence called "Lalu" with unique characteristics.
What to Experience in Sa Kaeo
Taste of Sa Kaeo...
Not available
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Sa Kaeo into what it is today.
The history of Sa Kaeo can be traced back for over 4,000 years, starting from the Neolithic – Metal Age with a discovery of artefacts at Ban Khok Makok, Khao Sip Sub-district, Khao Chakan District. In a later period, other antiques were found such as in Aranyaprathet and Ta Phraya Districts, presenting evidence that Sa Kaeo was once an important and prosperous community during the Chenla – Dvaravati Periods with their own civilisation and culture under the kings or rulers who believed in Hinduism, both the Shivaite and Vishnuite sects. It can be observed from the ancient remains and inscriptions in the Pallava script at Prasat Khao Noi, Khao Rang, and Chong Sa Chaeng, etc, especially the Pallava inscription at Prasat Khao Noi, Aranyaprathet District, which has been considered as the oldest piece of evidence discovered in Thailand that states the year of its construction, in approximately the year 637. Moreover, there were discoveries of evidence reflecting the civilisation during the 10th - 11th centuries within this area such as various Prasats or sanctuaries made of bricks or stone, ceramic kilns, ancient moats which have left traces until today, including 2 inscriptions in Prasat Sdok Kok Thom, estimated to date from the 10th century....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Sa Kaeo.
Eastern Cultural Fair and Sa Kaew Red Cross Fair (งานสืบสานวัฒนธรรมเบื้องบูรพา และงานกาชาดจังหวัดสระแก้ว) is organised at Wat Sa Kaeo Kindergarten during mid-February every year. There are processions of Sa Kaeo's culture and products, singing contest, exhibitions of the government agencies, various forms of entertainment, and booths presenting various kinds of products. Cantaloupe Day (วันแคนตาลูป) is held in front of the Aranyaprathet District Office during April every year. It is the period when cantaloupes are harvested. In the fair are cantaloupe floats, cantaloupe and agricultural produce contests, exhibitions of the government authorities, a cantaloupe beauty contest, booths, as well as various forms of entertainment. Sa Kaeo Establishment Commemoration (งานวันสถาปนาจังหวัดสระแก้ว) is organised approximately in December of every year. In the event, there are cultural and art processions, exhibitions, as well as booths selling products.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe Transport Company Ltd provides services of both ordinary and air conditioned buses, leaving the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) many times a day. It takes 4 hours to Sa Kaeo (3.5 hours via the Ongkharak route). For further information contact Tel. +66 2 9362852–66 ext: 311, or the Transport Company Limited (Sa Kaeo Office) on Thetsaban Soi 9/1 Rd, Tel. +66 37 241282, Air Aran Company Limited at Tel. +66 37 421210. From Sa Kaeo, there is a bus service to other provinces such as Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Saraburi, Buriram, and Korat. The State Railway of Thailand provides a Bangkok–Sa Kaeo–Aranyaphrathet train service 2 times a day. The first one leaves Bangkok at 05:55 and arrives at Sa Kaeo at 10:32 and to Aranyaprathet at 11:30. The second one departs Bangkok at 13:05 to Sa Kaeo at 17:25, and to Aranyaprathet at 18:20. There are 2 trains to Bangkok....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Chong Klam Bon Wildlife Breeding Station (สถานีเพาะเลี้ยงสัตว์ป่าช่องกล่ำบน) Under the supervision of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Flora, established in 1983 as an initiative the queen, to be a breeding station for rare and endangered animals. It is also a wildlife research station. Freshwater Crocodiles at Kaeng Yai Mak (แหล่งจระเข้น้ำจืดแก่งยายมาก) A place where freshwater crocodiles have been discovered since 1981 to have remained in the Huai Nam Yen Forest, where there is an observation tower provided near the National Park's Po Do 1 (Kaeng Yai Mak) Ranger Station. Khao Chakan (เขาฉกรรจ์) A limestone mountain whose ridge is 90 degrees against the north and the south. Its summit is 240 metres above sea level. Khao Chakan is the largest and stands in the middle between Phukhao Ming on the left and Khao Falami on the right. The three mountains are established as the Khao Chakan Arboretum under the supervision of the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Flora.
Money & Budget
Cantaloupes (แคนตาลูป) The distinguishing point of Sa Kaew's cantaloupes is its sweetness and crispness which exceed those of other places. Silk of Ban Han Sai (ผ้าไหมบ้านหันทราย) is mainly produced at Han Sai Village, Han Sai Sub-district, Aranyaprathet District. It is a hand-woven fabric in traditional patterns with delicacy and uniqueness. Basketry (เครื่องจักสาน) includes various forms of bamboo fishtraps and containers such as Sai, Krachang, Takhong, and Lop, as well as, sieves, winnowing baskets, and different forms of container baskets. Bamboo ceramics (จักสานล้อมเซรามิก) are the ceramic and wooden products wrapped with bamboo basketry. The products include vases and ash trays.