Visiting Maha Sarakham: 9 Amazing Things to Do & More

9 Best Things to Do in Maha Sarakham

1. Walk Mai Kae Dam Bridge ♥️ Must Visit

First on this list is one of my favorite places in the province: Mai Kae Dam Bridge, a beautiful wooden bridge built by the local community and temple to connect neighborhoods across a peaceful pond filled with blooming lotus flowers and birds.

The bridge was built between 50 and 100 years ago and spans almost a kilometer across the pond. You can come visit, park your car by the temple there, and walk along the bridge. You will be surrounded by a peaceful body of water filled with stunning lotus blooms and birds chirping away.

I was there in the early morning just after sunrise, and it was pure bliss. You can see birds flying around, and local farmers and their water buffalos are heading out into the field for the day. For the best experience, I highly recommend you come at sunrise or sunset. The sun's reflection on the pond during the golden hour should create quite a stunning scene for photos.

Mai Kae Dam Bridge is located about a 30-minute drive from Maha Sarakham City. It's open 24/7, and the entry is free. If you are looking for a nice chill place to visit and explore in Maha Sarakham, this is a great place to be.

Where to Stay in Maha Sarakham?

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Ketsara Hotel

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Landmark Maha Sarakham

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Taksilahotel

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2. Visit Phra That Inthaplang

One of the lesser-known temples, even among locals, is Phra That Inthaplang, a newly built temple located right on the border between Maha Sarakham, Surin, and Buriram. It features one of the most unique architectural designs in the area, with inspiration drawn from contemporary styles, Isaan traditions, and even ancient Khmer architecture.

When you arrive, you’ll find the temple right alongside the main road, with a striking central prang reminiscent of the ancient and sacred “Mahathat” pagodas found in Nakhon Phanom. The top section draws inspiration from another temple we’ll be visiting in Maha Sarakham, Phra Borommathat Nadun.

The temple complex itself is stunning, with its ornate exteriors and symmetrical layout featuring water pools on all four cardinal sides of the chedi, inspired by ancient Khmer temples like Bayon and Angkor. The exterior also showcases intricate stucco work in a Balinese artistic style, which is a rare sight in Buddhist temples here.

It's truly a work of art, and you'll want to take your time walking around it. Inside, you'll find a striking gate adorned with gold-colored decorations, and at the center, a beautiful Buddha image crafted in Khmer style.

Be sure to also head a little further to see the massive reclining Buddha image located behind the temple. Perched above the treeline, you can see it from Phra That Inthaplang. The statue is absolutely massive, and I’ve never seen a Buddha painted in such soft pastel tones before.

I’m not sure if the coloring is due to ongoing construction or intentional design, but it’s beautiful nonetheless and absolutely worth seeing. If you’re looking for a unique and impressive temple to visit here, Phra That Inthaplang should be on your list. The temple is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM, and entry is free.

3. Explore Phra Borommathat Nadun

Next up is Phra Borommathat Nadun, one of the most sacred and highly revered temples in Maha Sarakham. You will often see Thai people from across the country come and make merit here as they pass through the province. The temple is best known for the massive white pagoda that stands on the very site where archaeologists unearthed an ancient relic stupa containing the Buddha’s remains inside, likely dating from the Dvaravati period (circa 6th–8th centuries).

The temple sits on a vast 355-acre site, with its centerpiece being a large white pagoda that houses the Buddha’s relics. A tree-shaded parking lot is located along the road that circles the pagoda, and nearby you’ll find shops selling drinks and snacks in case you want to recharge before exploring the temple grounds.

There’s quite a lot to see here. Behind the pagoda, you’ll discover a quiet Buddhist park perfect for a peaceful stroll. The park is beautifully decorated with Buddhist sculptures, waterfalls, and fountains, all set beneath a canopy of shade trees, making it a great escape from the midday heat. Entry to the park costs just 20 THB per person.

Not too far from the pagoda, you will find a massive structure resembling a cave wrapped by a giant naga sculpture. Inside is a museum you can explore, although it was under renovation when I was there. It’s clear that this site is deeply revered by many Thais, and it would be a shame to travel all the way here without visiting one of the most famous temples in Isaan.

The temple grounds and pagoda are open 24/7, while the museum and Buddhist park are usually open from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with the museum closing a bit earlier at 2:30 PM. Entry to the temple and museum is free, while the Buddhist park costs 20 THB per person.

4. Check Out Prasat Ku Santarat

Located not too far from Phra Borommathat Nadun, you will find Prasat Ku Santarat, a small but charming Khmer ruins that were used as a medical outpost during the Khmer Empire period. The ruin is dated between the late 12th and early 13th century, and travelers of the empire often relied on places like this to keep them safe during their travels.

You can find many of these small ruins across Isaan, but this one is a little more well-preserved with the structure, and the wall's foundations are pretty much intact. It's also not too far from Phra Borommathat Nadun, which makes this a great side trip as you explore the area.

If you like history and want to see a really nice Khmer ruin in Maha Sarakham, be sure to drop by Prasat Ku Santarat. The ruin is open 24/7, and the entry is free.

5. Admire the Beauty of Wat Nong Huling

Wat Nong Huling, also known as "Wat Ruea", which translates to Boat Temple, is exactly what you’d expect, a temple shaped like a boat. Well, technically, it’s a royal barge, fully decked out with gold-colored decorations from top to bottom. The amount of detail put into building this boat temple is truly mind-boggling!

The boat design symbolizes a journey towards enlightenment, with the prow facing east, representing the direction of the rising sun and spiritual awakening. You can enter the barge from the front and see the interior of the ordination hall. The details both inside and outside are immaculate!

The temple was also building a lovely golden pagoda when I visited. When it's finished, you should be able to hike up to the top of the pagoda and get a great view of the boat temple from above. To think that all of this was built with the support of the local community alone is pretty amazing.

Apparently, they are also planning to build a replica of Borobudur Temple, one of the most ancient and sacred Buddhist historical sites located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, here. So if you visit when it’s completed, let us know in the comments how it was 😉. Wat Nong Huling is open approximately from 8 AM to 6 PM daily, and entry is free.

6. Check Out Wat Puttha Wanaram

And now we are entering the premise of Maha Sarakham City proper, and one of the places I highly recommend you check out while here is Wat Puttha Wanaram, another extremely sacred and highly revered temple here with tons of beautiful architecture and sculptures waiting for you to explore.

With the support of the royal family, this temple has gained popularity among the Thais, and you can see the increase in scale as they continue to expand and build more awesome Buddhist structures right in the heart of Maha Sarakham City. Right from the get-go, you will find a massive head of Buddha image at the parking lot looking at the temple itself. It's beautiful, and we have not even entered the temple.

Once you enter the temple grounds, you will find yourself surrounded by many massive structures. One of the highlights is the world’s largest wooden pavilion, constructed entirely from golden teakwood. This two-story building is supported by 112 large teak pillars and serves as the main hall for ceremonies and worship. It’s truly a sight to behold.

Not far from the pavilion, you’ll find the Sri Maha Sarakham Chedi, a golden pagoda that enshrines relics of the Buddha. The chedi is connected to the temple grounds by a bridge adorned with colorful naga sculptures. The scale and detail of everything here is simply phenomenal!

If you are staying overnight in Maha Sarakham or just passing through the city, be sure to check out Wat Puttha Wanaram. The temple is open daily from 6 AM to 6:30 PM, and entry is free.

7. Drop By Ku Mahathat

Ku Mahathat is another impressive Khmer ruin you can visit in Maha Sarakham. Located about a 20-minute drive from Maha Sarakham city, it makes for a great quick trip if you have some time while staying overnight.

Much like Prasat Ku Santarat, this temple is believed to have been built in the 12th century as a medicine hall. Here, you'll find the main prang constructed in the Bayon architectural style, with the surrounding stone walls still largely intact.

It’s quite similar to Prasat Ku Santarat, but this site sits right beside Nong Krathum, a small lake, providing a lovely view from the temple grounds. If you are visiting Maha Sarakham city, be sure to check out Ku Mahathat. The temple is open 24/7, and entry is free.

8. Bike Around Kaeng Loengchan Health Park

If you are spending the night in Maha Sarakham City and looking for a nice place to hang out and watch the sunset, head to Kaeng Loengchan Health Park in the evening. You can rent a bike and ride or jog around the lake on the dedicated bike path to find a quiet spot by the water and enjoy the sunset.

The park features a well-maintained 10-kilometer loop around the lake, ideal for jogging, walking, or cycling. It is very popular among locals, and you will often find many people exercising and jogging in the evening. With the lake right next to it, it makes for a great place to watch the sunrise and sunset.

The area is not very commercialized, which makes it great for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. If you want to rent a bike, there are small shops where you can rent one or buy some snacks. You won't find many shops to replenish your supplies along the way, so be sure to pack enough water for the trip.

Try to visit either early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler, as there is little shade. Avoid coming at noon, as it can get extremely hot and uncomfortable. The area is open 24/7 and the entry is free.

9. Drive Around Kosamphi Forest Park

Last but not least, if you are looking for lush green nature and a riverside view where you can drive around, safely interact with monkeys from your car, and enjoy nature without being too active, Kosamphi Forest Park is the place to be.

Kosamphi Forest Park is a 50-acre lush forested sanctuary located along the Mun River, best known for its resident monkeys, which are often seen interacting with visitors. While they are the highlight, it’s advisable to keep a respectful distance and avoid feeding them, as they can get quite aggressive.

There are several viewpoints by the river and picnic spots within the park. You can also drive around and observe the curious monkeys who often try to coax food from passing cars. It’s quite entertaining to watch.

If you are visiting Maha Sarakham and passing through on your way to Khon Kaen, be sure to stop by Kosamphi Forest Park. The park is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and entry is free.

How to Get to Maha Sarakham?

By Flight: The fastest way to get to Maha Sarakham is to fly from Bangkok to Khon Kaen Airport operated by AirAsia, and it should take about one hour. You can browse more flights via Skyscanner.

Once you arrive, you can rent a car from the airport and drive to Maha Sarakham, which takes about 1 hour. There are many car rental places at the exit terminal of the airport, so you can pick one from there, or you can rent a car through DiscoverCars.

By Bus: You can also take a bus from Bangkok to Maha Sarakham. The bus typically leaves from Morchit Bus Terminal and will drop you off at Maha Sarakham Bus Station in about 7 hours. The price is about 500 THB and you can find the schedule and book online here.

That said, it will be quite difficult to find a place to rent a vehicle in Maha Sarakham, as the province is relatively small. Your best bet is to take a bus to Khon Kaen instead and rent a car from there. You'll find more options and much more reliable service. You can check the schedule and book tickets to Khon Kaen online here.

By Car: If you have a car or are renting one, you can also drive from Bangkok to Maha Sarakham. The journey should take about 6 hours depending on the traffic. A bit faster than the bus and you can stop at any places along the way. You can rent a car through DiscoverCars.

How to Get Around Maha Sarakham?

By Car: The best way to get around Maha Sarakham is to rent a car from Khon Kaen Airport and drive to and around the province or you can rent one from J.U.I. Car For Rent once you get to the city via buses. You can also rent one directly from Bangkok’s airports and make the drive up. It’s a long journey, but if you have the time, there’s plenty to see along the way. You can book a rental through DiscoverCars.