Thung Si Meuang Park, Ubon Ratchathani

Thung Si Meuang Park is located in the south central part of the city, and seems to be a popular gathering place--especially in the evening.

This photo shows the "San Lak Meuang" (a temple-like structure with a center spire), which houses the "Lak Meuang" which is the pillar that legend says protects Ubon. The structure sits between the park and the Ubon National Museum.

Near the center of the park sits this stucco or concrete replica of an elaborately carved votive (or prayer) candle. The park also hosts Ubon's annual Candle Festival, where gigantic, high-relief wax candles are featured. The Festival--"Hae Tien" in Thai--is part of the city's celebration of Khao Phansa, which is likewise the beginning of the Buddhist Lent, when most monks go into retreat for the rainy season. The festival is in July--in 2008, Khao Phansa will fall on July 18 (though I don't know if the Candle Festival in precisely on this date also).

These photos was taken on December 4, 2007...the covered tables are part of the preparations for the December 5th King's Birthday Celebration.

Because Thung Si Meuang Park is so expansive, it is the natural location for community celebrations.

This large stage was being installed for the King's Birthday celebration. The worker in the lower left is helping to put up a large banner that says "Song Pra Ja Rueng" or "Long Live the King." The King is well loved by the Thai people--his photograph is in most homes, businesses, governmental offices, and even in many temples. He was released from the hospital in Bangkok during our visit (December 2007--he had suffered from a blood circulation blockage), and many people throughout the country wore yellow in his honor. Yellow is "his color" as it (I think) represents the day of the week on which he was born.

Later in December 2007, the King went to visit his older sister, HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, who was in the hospital getting treatment for abdominal cancer. During his visit, the King wore a pink shirt to honor his sister the Princess. After that, pink shirts became the rage in Thailand.

Most unfortunately, Princess Galyani passed away on January 2, 2008. The Princess was well loved and respected as a teacher, and also for her charity work, and work on environmental and medical care issues.

Getting back to the subject of Thung Si Meuang Park...here is our nephew, See (Rasta's son) on the rowing machine, one of the several exercise contraptions available in the park--all of these machines are very sturdy, and are well-used in the evenings. To See's right are the inside walking path, and the outside jogging path--these paths encircle the park (you will find walkers on the jogging path, though, as the walking path disappears in places). There are also some lighted basketball courts, and 2 aerobic exercise/dance stages, where instructors lead classes (it seems to be free--we didn't see anyone collecting fees).

On the promenade between San Lak Meuang and the park, young teens play badminton, and in some of the larger open area, boys kick around soccer balls (there doesn't seem to be a regulation-sized soccer field, though, within the park).

The perimeter of the park has a partial moat, where the water also functions as a fish pond. There is a neat, mechanical aerator that locals say was invented, or suggested, by the King--the extra oxygen in the water promotes fish health and growth. There is also some interesting traditional and modern statuary within the park.

Just yards from the park is the Midnight market, where you can get a snack, meal, or drink (well, beer, at least) at very reasonable prices.

All said, Thung Si Meuang is a great place to escape the heat, or hotel air conditioning, and be around your fellow Ubon residents. We happily visited the park during most of the evenings we were in Ubon Ratchathani. If you'd like to see more of the park, please visit:

http://picasaweb.google.com/NewtSea