This trip started from the city of Phetchabun Province, after we had finished with the previous task and did not want to hurry back home. Because we would like to take our time the most beneficially, we would wander around some places more…. As the trend of Thai drama was getting hit on TV, we would like to visit the museum for learning the past.

The first place that we traveled back through time was Phetchabun Intrachai Archaeology Hall, opening free of charge during Monday-Friday from 08.30 – 16.30, and during Satuday – Sunday from 9.30 – 15.30 …. The hall located in the city, which easy to find and convenient to travel, taking only 5 minutes from the hotel where I stayed. The building was the old Petchabun city hall which had moved to the Phetchabun Municipality Government center. Therefore, the place was requested to be transformed to be a learning center museum, and becomes an archeological hall today.

The exhibition portrays stories of Phetchabun from the prehistoric to Sri Thep era, as well as from Sukhothai, Ayutthaya to Rattanakosin era and the modern age. The name “Phetchabun Intrachai” came from Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok kromkhun Phetchabun Intrachai, Prince of Phetchabun, the 72^nd son of King Chulalongkorn(King Rama V).  (The stories were told by Nong Nut, staff of the the museum).

Let’s come inside the hall together…. The first room is Cinema Replica room, simulates Phetchabun’s first cinema theater, look at those chairs see how classics they are ! 

Room 2 – “From Khana Mount to Sri Thep” exhibits the history of Phetchabun province from prehistoric to Sri Thep era.

Room 3 – A Background of Phetchabun city in Sukhothai era highlights the evidence proved that the original name of Phetchabun was Phetchabura.

Room 4 – The yesterday’s Phetchabun room, Phetchabun Legend room and the Kitchen of Phetchabun replicas room telling brief stories of Phetchabun historic stores.

I like this store the most, as it is so classic.

This corner explains the story of Petchabun Province, since the war era between Rattanakosin and Lan Xang Kingdom.

This room exhibits a tradition "Oom Phra Dum Nam” (Carrying Buddha image and Diving), a strange tradition and the only one place in the world. In addition to having miraculous stories that are linked as legends, fates and beliefs are passed on from forefather to descendant. It is also "Cultural heritage" that is hidden as well as "Local wisdom" where ancestors brought fates and beliefs from the villagers towards Buddhism and the Maha Dharma Racha Buddha which assist everyone to take care of the rivers and canals.

This corner portrays the different ethnicities and folk plays of Phetchabun people in the olden days.

Lao Poong Khao, (White belly Laotian) the ancestor of Phetchabun people.

The meaning of “Lao Poong Khao”, is an ancients leg tattoo which tattooed from the knee up to the groin. But the tattoo do not reach the belly, so the belly is white. These people are found in the Luang Phra Bang, the capital of Laos area, Chaiyaburi, Bo Tan Kaen, Thao, Udon Province and in the upper northeast region of Thailand, as well as Phetchabun town in the past. The tattoo pattern has the shape of a Mom, a wicked bird, loris monkey. As for “Lao Poong Dam”, it will be tattooed up to the belly area. Lao Poong Dam is found in the north of Siam, Yonok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, and Nan province. Evidence appears on the mural of Wat Phumin, Nan Province, on the image of GrandPa Maan’s “Krasib Rak” (whispering love). The veil will see GrandPa Maan’s tattooed which his tatoo pattern is going up to the belly area.

Phi Ta Mo (GrandPa Mo Ghost) is an ancient belief that telling the story of local people. Phi Ta Mo is a trick of the ancients in order to trick the children from being stubborn.

According to history, Ta Mo was a tall, big, fierce appearance, but he had a playful mind and liked to drink alcohol. Whenever there were traditional festivals, he would always participate. He dressed up as a ghost to make fun of frightening by bringing local materials that can be found in those days, such as sticky rice steamer Torn clothes, torn blankets, torn nets, the color of the clay pot, the bark color painted on the body to look frightened. On his  waist, hanging skulls and bells to make a loud noise when walking or dancing. In the hand holding a softwood stick or a weapon to haunt people and the children, who joined the event, which created a thrill. It was very frightening to people in those days. Later, when Ta Mo did pass away, It was said that the Ta Mo ghost is still haunted and stuck in people's memories unforgettable.

The mural of Wat Si Mongkol or Wat Na Sai is another important temple in Phetchabun Province, aged about 200 years old. Inside the hall consists images telling stories of 10 lives of Lord Buddha, Hell-Heaven, and images of reflecting local people life in the past.

Khao Kho Battlefield room

A Memorial to the Khao Kho Sacrifice was built with all marble in a triangular shape. The size and shape of this monument has a significant meaning. The triangle represents a joint operation between the civilian, police, and military. The base width of 11 meters represents the year 2511 B.E.(1968 A.D.), when the communist terrorist operation began. The height from the altar to the top of the memorial is 24 meters, referring to the year 2524 B.E.(1981 A.D.), the year of the grand battle. The height from the base to the top of the memorial is 25 meters, referring to the year 2525 B.E.(1982 A.D.), the year that the battle ended, the width of the triangular base of 2.6 meters on each side, refers to the year 2526 B.E.(1983 A.D.),  when the memorial was built.

Completely done with knowledge and not being exposed to the sun at all.. haha, the air conditioner was so cool, either. My next 2 destinations were located in Lom Sak District, about 55 kilometers away which took about an hour driving. Stopped for the toilet and to find coffee and snack to eat in the car, then set up the GPS to go straight away.

Muang Rad Memorial is divided into 2 parts. In front of the Muang Rad Memorial is a statue of Pho Khun Pha Muang in standing position. The left hand pointed down to the ground, which means the land right here is his hometown. Surrounding by 5 tall pillars, represents 5 Lord Buddhas.

Part 2 – exhibits the honor of Pho Khun Pha Muang, interesting artifacts, Including the way of life and the culture of the Lom Sak people. The exhibition is in an orange roof building behind the Pho Khun Pha Muang statue ... The displays are simple in a one-story building without air-conditioning, but it is airy and clear, not too hot, comfortable and easy to walk around.

Lets’ see what they have got for us. This board is the history of Pho Khun Pha Muang.

These are old appliances from the past. Have you ever used iron machine that have to cook rice before ironing….and the ancient woven fabric was very colorful.

Kitchen appliances, pots and terracotta jars.

A replica of City Pillar and Hmong clothes indicate that there were some Thai hill tribes lived in this area before.

Chom Phon Por Monument and Fish catching tools (Honestly, it seems like I was going back to the past, and I was starting to have fun more and more.

Traditional Thai kitchen and appliances. A pressure lamp (Chao Phayu lamp) was a must-have item in the house since it gave very bright light. The new generation people may not know how to use this type of lamp. The human wisdom use oil mist lights up for a last long time by using a cloth wick as a heat receiver for the light.

This corner is a Weaving story

Water Pitcher, Ancient spear, Vintage headband, an ancient sword and a spear. All are ancient antiquity.

Moolbot Bappakij – I quickly looked up in Google, as this was an ancient Thai language studying book. It is a textbook about Thai vowel, consonants, tonal letters and various special marks. There is an exercise in the epic story of Phra Chai Suriya of Sunthorn Phu poet, wirrten by Phraya Sri Sunthon Vohan (Noi Archarayangkun) in 2414 B.E.* (info from Wikipedia).

Since we have little time, we rushed to the next place, Lom Sak Museum. It was only 10 minutes by car, about 6 kilometers from here. We recommend you to park in the museum, and walk across the street to have a Retro Pad Thai, opposite the museum. It's very delicious.

At the museum, I met Nong Pete and Nong Bow, very nice museum staff who escorted and guided us along every part of museum professionally. I would like to take this opportunity to thanks them again. The museum building is a 2-storey modern colonial styled building, which is a big size and color that can be seen from afar. The building is also perfectly blended with Thai cultural style, as an office of the Lom Sak Museum today. (It used to be a municipal office in the past.)

 Museum opening for free admission

Wednesday-Friday from 09.00 – 16.00,  Divided into 4 Rounds, 1^st Round  09.00-10.00,   2^nd Round 10.30- 11.30, 3^rd Round 13.30-14.30, and 4^th Round  15.00-16.00  .

Saturday  17.00 – 21.00

Closed on Sunday – Tuesday and Public holidays.

The museum Inside the building is divided into 2 floors, and separated rooms for clarifying each of story to be presented.

Let’s see what the museum got us to visit …. Beginning from the ground floor, the movie room, where the visitors can see stories that present the living and lifestyle of Tai Lom people. From the past to the present. The movie is presented with the theme: Who is the “Tai Lom” people, where they come from, how they live and the interesting things in the town of Lom Sak.

“Lom Sak in the past” room - This room replicates the town of Lom Sak 60 years ago, showing the famous shops of that era, whether it is “Preecha Kaesa” the barber shop. Lom Sak Opium Plant - the largest opium plant in Phetchabun, Mui Lee Coffee Shop - the best  coffee shop in town, and Benja Bantueng Cinema which is the first cinema theater in Lom Sak town.

Preecha Kaesa is the barber shop own by Mr.Preecha Phakaew or “Preecha the slanted leg”, his alias name was get from his legs that were not equal the same length to each other. His barber shop was a 2-storey wooden shop, located across the Opium factory alley. The upper floor was used as accommodation, while the ground floor was open as a barber shop. He used a hand clipper to cut hairs. There were many customers sitting around in wooden chairs on the back, including senior government officials who come to use his service regularly.  Customers spent their time while waiting for a haircut, playing chess and listening to the battery transistor radio inside the shop. 

Lomsak Opium Factory - The Lom Sak Opium Factory was located in Nai Mai - Nai Sa-nga Market, a commercial district in the heart of Lom Sak town, which was the origin of then name “opium factory alley” until to the present The state of the opium house was a large wooden shophouse with three booths, a hall with four rows of opium smoking beds, two rows facing the wall, while the middle is a large row facing each other, there was a walkway that let the  “Chinese Footeng” or the servants who serve the opium, bringing the opium to the customers. It is considered a large opium factory, capable of accepting up to 30 customers.

At that time, an opium smoking was legal. There were Opium tax collectors in all major towns, opium smokers believed that in addition to seducing, opium could help relieve stomach pain as well. Opium smokers were believed to be more classic smokers than marijuana smokers, because the symptom results were much more cool, slow-talking, and not frantic. Most opium smokers were Thai-Chinese descent, prime customers who had their own opium smoking equipment, such as Opium smoking pipe, floor mats or pillows for smoking opium. When smoking opium, it smells would be all over, some people thought that the scent was great.

Mui Li Coffee Shop - The number 1 Coffees shop in Lom town, Located at front of the Opium factory alley, Ronnakij Road. Mui Li was the name of the coffee shop owner. He was a Hainanese Chinese and had a Thai wife named Grandma Kham Muan. Whose original background was coffee shop maker, they can both brew coffee, But customers preferred and attracted to the taste of Grandma Kham Muan’s, due to more of milk in coffee. The Coffee shop was a two-story wooden shophouse, a lower floor was for trading while the upper floor was for living. Inside the shop were hanging moonlight lanterns and “Mangda Clock” octagonal pimp clocks. In the middle of the shop. There was a Dragon jar for sugar container. In front of the store is Ronnakij Road, which was still a gravel road at that time with full of potholes. Coffee here got crowded in the morning. During noon, shaved ice coffee was a good seller, especially shaved ice topped with watermelon, and topped with  sprinkled hales blueboy, with sweetened condensed milk could be considered as the best selling product of the Mui Li shop.

Hot coffee brought to go, at that time, would be put in a can of milk, and String with banana rope. The price was about 1 baht, also there were hot milk, cold milk, O-liang O-yua. Moreover, there were also chopped young coconuts, for almost every day. Taking home coffee was wrapped in bags, and counted the amount by “hand” (counting units) for eating at home, the size of 1 ice cubes was 2 “Gag”, each Gag divided into 4 hands.

Lom Sak town Charming Room - Collected and exhibited the identity of the Lom Sak town in 2 parts together. First, a large face wax figure. The last tricycle biker in Lom Sak, He is an easy smile and had good human relations. Represented the character of the Lom Sak people. The knife blacksmith in the Baan Mai, showed the way of life of the Lom Sak people, which is the wisdom of the “Luang Prabang” Lao people, (It was believed that the ancestors of the Ban Mai knife blacksmith were Lao people who were forcibly taken here, during the war in early Rattanakosin Era)

Uncle Yai ….The last tricycle biker of Lom Sak, who wearing a unique loincloth. He was a simple person, never asked for wages, easy to call and easy to use, everyone loves him.

Original hometown of Baan Mai Knife blacksmilth people was dating back around 100 years ago, the ancestor of the Baan Mai blacksmilth was originally a knife blacksmilth in Vientiane. Later, they was forced to come to Thailand in early of Rattanakosin era, during the rebellion of Chao Anuwong. Some of them were at Aranyik Village, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province and another group came to Lom Sak District, Phetchabun Province. The migration at that time, the whole of family was brought along with. Dozens of families which are all craftsmen, especially there are goldsmiths and blacksmiths. With the Thai Army's ingenious scheme that when the knife blacksmilth is brought, it would cut off the weaponry of the opponent and therefore recruit these artisans. And to stay at Khum Non Saton To produce steel tools, knives, hoes, pickaxes, agricultural tools and household appliances. Currently, Baan Mai Knife Forging Group is the largest knife blacksmith group in Thailand, according to the style and the process that used skill and labor of human working like in the ancient way. Most of people are inherited within the family, with 50 members of the group still carrying on knife forging techniques for their living and continue to pass on from past till the present.

Lom Sak Yesterday room - Collected photos of Lom Sak people, from the left side were picture from the past, until the present on the right. In the middle was a photo of His Majesty King Rama IX and the royal family coming to Lom Sak town.

Let’s continue to the upper floor, Food of our town - This room exhibits food of Tai Lom people. There are divided into two parts, A local food and delicious food. A Local food is traditional food that people at Tai Lom have been eating for a long time, such as Miang-khon, Crab-crap chili paste, mango leave soup, etc. Some dish is still appearing nowadays, but some dish may be forgotten. A delicious food is a local food that recommended to be delicious for visitors to try.

A Must-try food for visitors

Nom-Sen is common food for both in the town and suburb area, however the tastes are different. Apart from fresh vegetables and boiled vegetables as a side dish Noodles with noodle sauce. There are different sauces, such as chili paste (sweet water), Nam Ya, Nam Ya Paa, fermented fish that are often eaten with fish. (Small pieces of boiled catfish).

Larb Ped (spicy minced duck salad) recommended food for visitors. The taste and deliciousness is accepted that if visiting Lom Sak, the must-try dish is Larb Ped.

How is Larb Ped Lom Sak different from other Larb Ped? The answer is that they differ in more flavor, The ingredients  also contain of shallots, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, sometimes sprinkled with fried duck skins, which makes Laab Ped Lomsak unique.

Crab-Crap Chili Paste is made from crab. Stewed the crab into a simmer until it becomes crystals like shrimp paste. Then, cooked with chili and lemon squeeze Seasoning to be a crab-crap chili paste, eaten with boiled bamboo shoots. 

Thai Lom Room - This room will answer the question of who and where the Lom Room people came from.

Thai Lom is Lao people who originated in Luang Prabang, Chaiyaburi, Bo Tan, Kaen Thao, and continued south to Tha Li, Chiang Khan, Dan Sai, Nakhon Thai, Chat Trakan, Nam Phat, and to the area of Muang Lom in Phetchabun Province. People in these areas all share the same culture, traditions, way of life, as well as food and language. It may be called for easier understanding that these ethnic groups are Laos Luang Prabang, which is different from Lao, Vientiane and Lanna people.

Young lady wearing a Red-headed Teen Kan sarong "Zin Hua Daeng Teen Kan" is a type of Sarong that Tai Lom lady most popular wearing. The name is called by the visible elements of distinctive red head (the part at the top that is used to tuck the waist), with a dark fine pattern that barely noticeable, a horizontal bottom line intersected with Sarong body called Kan style. That was the origin of name “Zin Hua Daeng Teen Kan".

Lao Poong Khao, (White belly Laotian) the ancestor of Tai Lom people.

Most Tai Lom people are descended from Lao Luang Prabang. The ancestor men of Tai Lom, popularly tattooed the leg just to the upper leg, not rising up to the belly and waist. As the Siamese people call “Lao Poong Khao”, Lao Poong Khao is different from the popular Lanna, Phrae, and Nan people who tattoo rise up to the belly and waist. The Siamese people call “Lao Poong Dam”, so it can be said that Lom town was an area where Lao Poong Khao originally lived.

The Lan Xang Cultural Room exhibits lifestyle and beliefs of the Tai Lom people.

Tai Lom house is a two-story wooden house on stilts. The gable of roof is like a typical Thai house, some gable have a pattern. The upper floor is divided into bedroom and opening hall in the middle of the house. There is one corner separated for cooking as a kitchen. Cooking utensils are hung on the slats of the kitchen wall. The slat wall is for the air ventilation while cooking, which is the most distinctive feature of Tai Lom house. Obviously, the balcony in front of the house is a living room, some houses have long benches and backrests. The terrace of the house is not far from the stairway, with a covered roof to protect from the Sun and the rain for the stairs only.

Traditional parade of Ton Dok Phueng (Bee flower trees) or Prasat Phueng (Bee castle) festival - A making of Ton Dok Phueng or Prasat Phueng is an old tradition value. The main purpose is to worship the holy sacred Buddha. There is a belief to bring Ton Dok Phueng to the monks for use, and to dedicate a portion of charity to the relatives that passed away, as well. In addition, there is the belief in sacrificing to the lord, sacred things that the villagers respect, such as the vengeance of the spirits and spirits that they have  their oath committed.

(Dok Phueng – is made from the beeswax, boiled and melted as a model from a papaya fruit, carved into a flower shape and dipped in wax water. Then dipped into cold water one more time. The wax that sticks to the mold will come off, which looks like a flower.

Hoop Tam or the tinted figure refers to the color painting on the wall of church or Sim, drawing by local craftsmen with devotion and faith in Buddhism. The patterns drawn are according to the artist's imagination.

Kuan Kaw Thip Ceremony (Sacred rice stirring tradition ceremony) is a tradition ceremony that has been upheld from the past to the present. According to Buddha's biography, Mrs. Suchada stirred up sacred rice on the 14th day on the evening and offered to the Lord Buddha, one day before enlightenment. For this reason, Buddhists are united to stir up the rice offering to Buddha as a Buddha dedication. Moreover, this ceremony also help create readiness in the community and considered to maintain a good culture.

Kuan Kaw Thip Ceremony begins with the Brahman set Baisri to worship angels, then began the stirring ceremony by bringing new milky rice  (New growing rice where the seed is still a starch and remove the husk off) along with the rice flavoring which consists of 9 ingredients; milk, peanut butter, sesame, sugar cane juice, sugar, honey and various fruits. Mix all  ingredients together with rice, stir until the rice is cooked and sticky. The ladies who stir this rice have to be virgin, at least 4 ladies wearing white dresses on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month. After that, they help each other to form a mass of rice offering to the monks at nearby temples. The rest are distributed to people who went to make merit on that day for a merit donation.

“Hed Wieg Hed Ngan” room or working room represents the occupation of a Lom people in the olden days.

The legend of gold mining in Nam Kor district. Unbelievable ! Thailand used to have a Gold Rush like America !!! hehehe. People had been digging seriously, but finally found only 6k gold, which did not have any economic value. Therefore people stopped on Rushing gold and waking up at last.

Lan leave or “the child killed the mother plant”, is the plant that when the baby fruit comes out, the mother plant dies. It is another economic crop that exported to Taiwan, used as a raw material for making weaving machines.

From now on, We would go to visit Khaeng Bang Rachan isle, Nong Mae Na, Khao Kho District. Khaeng Bang Rachan is another unseen that Nong Nut (the staff at the Archaeological Hall) recommended in this morning, he said that “it is one of the few freshwater jellyfish sites in the world”. As I was an easy believer, that I would do some research and then went for and look.

After finished with the information finding, the GPS said 62 kilometers, "1 hour and a half,  Oh Let's hurry go there", because tonight I intended to take a full rest in Khao Kho and sneaked out of the program a bit to go back to the past , hope I wouldn't be received by the red card. ... Drove up and down the hills a little bit, enough to be thrilled, we arrived at Kaeng Bang Rachan isle, located at Ban Thantawan Village, Moo 5, Khao Kho District.

We were going into the Bang Rachan rafting boat, looking for pretty Thai ladies....... hahaha “OK, just a Jellyfish instead.”

The picture showed the atmosphere during paddle the boat into Kaeng Bang Rachan isle. which is part of Khek River.

A while before reaching Kaeng Bang Rachan isle, we would find a remains of a large wooden that had fallen and blocked the way, It was very scenic view. We spent about 40 minutes from the starting point, to arrived at Kaeng Bang Rachan isle. (not far from the point we found a fallen wooden)

Today, luck might not be on our side, as there was no sunny and the rain suddenly falling out. Both butterflies and jellyfish were all disappeared. Fortunately, at last we'd seen a total of 1, or we couldn't go to sleep. The real one was so little, much less than a baht coin. which not easily noticed .

It's very late now, let's went to the accommodation. Tonight we would stay at The Senses Viewtalaymok, a sea mist view resort on Khao Kho. As during this period was in a low season, there was a 50% discount promotion, the price was remaining around 2 thousand Baht+ for a room with breakfast.

The view near the viewpoint while the sun was going to set, the beautiful dimming light different from during the day, just like staying in different countries!  Seeing this, we had to stop for taking pictures again, haha. Even though, it would be dark, but we couldn't just let's go.

We finally arrived at the accommodation, It was very beautiful. There was a restaurant at the end of the corner, which looked at the camera angle here, might be better than at the previous view point that we just took photo !!! What had we done before we came. hahaha

The walkway down to the room, which going downnnnn hill for some distance, was not suitable for an elder who has knee problems. Anyway, there's not too bad for going down the hill, but for going up hill would definitely tired.

The room was nice and quiet . ... How could it not be calm? Low season, almost no neighbors, I really like the most. Let us took a good sleep for a long drove back to Bangkok tomorrow. Had a good night for every one.

Some more pictures of morning activities. As some of us, who woke up early in the morning, went out to take a picture.  The morning Sunlight from the corner of Pino Latte coffee shop, which is very famous place, as a rumor says.

The view of Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew in the distance. Once we went back to the hotel, had our breakfast and packed our stuffs, then we would go to pay respect to the Buddha statue before going back to Bangkok.

This corner at the outdoor terrace with a cool wind and beautiful light. I couldn't help taking photo of pretty ladies. Hahaha.

This picture taken from Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew. The temple is very huge and there are many beautiful angles to take pictures. Actually, I spent many hours here. But I would leave only 1 picture from this trip, since we focused on Back to the Future trip. See you again next time, now I would have to drive back home first, everyone. May the Lord Buddha bless to you.