Sikhottabong stupa is a cultural attraction for people seeking blessings

Laos has some of the world’s best tourist attractions and it’s time for people to explore them, especially now that the Covid-19 pandemic is on the wane and travel is safer. The purpose of this article is to promote tourism in Laos, including through the “Lao Thiew Laos” campaign.

Sikhottabong stupa in Khammuan province.  --Photo Phoonsab Thevongsa

Scores of people from across Laos and nearby countries visit the Sikhottabong stupa in Thakhaek, the capital of Khammuan province, every day to pray and to ask for good luck.
Sikhottabong stupa, which has a width of 25 metres on each of its four sides and a height of 30 metres, is the main cultural attraction of the province.
This shrine is located in Muangsoum village of Thakhaek, not far from the centre of the provincial capital. The stupa on the Mekong riverside, about six km to the south of the city, 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 sixth century by Chao Souminthalath, and it has been renovated many times since then, including in 1539 by Chao Phothisalath and in 1568 by Chao Xaysetthathirath.
Visitors to Khammuan province can enjoy a multitude of other interesting places, and the local cuisine is certainly worth sampling.
The name Thakhaek means “guest landing”, with the word “khaek” meaning guest while the word “tha” refers to the city’s earlier function as a popular landing spot for the boats of foreign traders.
Much of the architecture in Thakhaek’s old quarter can be traced to French construction in the early 20th century.
The original exteriors were brown, but over the years, the colours of many of the houses have changed, and most now appear to be black.
In 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 trading town. As a result of the strong French presence, a lot of French-style buildings are still evident around the city, with some dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Recent history
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 river to Thailand.
Souphanouvong later returned to Laos and continued to fight for liberation along with other revolutionary Lao leaders.
Khammuan is located in the centre of Laos and about 360 km south of Vientiane, and the province is home to numerous places of interest, such as Khamphaeng Hin (Khammuan’s Great Wall), the Sikhottabong stupa, the Buddha cave, and Hua Phou Sout, a scenic lookout point.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 30, 2022)