Issan is far from boring IMO, there's always something interesting to see. Last week we visited the Phu Phra Bat national park area, and whilst on the way home we came across a unique temple off the beaten track. Most temples look pretty pretty much the same IMO however this Wat (temple) stood out from the rest.

This temple is well known to locals as 'Wat Luang Pornaa' a.k.a. 'Wat Baan Waeng', but as far as I can see there is no mention of it by the TAT and for that reason probably not well known to overseas visitors.
I feel this place is certainly worthy of a mention and should definitely be marked on the map; it could be incorporated into your day out when visiting the Phu Phra Bat National Park area.

Wat Baan Waeng is located approximately 2km's from Baan Phu town. The temple houses a large collection of unique statues which I believe were built to persuade the younger generations to do good and follow the Buddhist religion.

There is also a large fish pond where you can feed the fish and a new temple is under construction which is in the middle of a lake connected by a small bridge.

If you enjoyed Sala Kaew Khu in Nong Khai you'll enjoy this place also.

Here is a map and pictures taken with my mobile:






Don't kill animals or you'll end up here!




If you lie and cheat you'll get your tongues ripped out!






Moorlam, I'm not sure why this was here but it looks pretty spooky




Tree of women, but if you pick one you'll die in 3 days

Looks interesting...not yet been to phu prabat so will possibly add it to the trip. Thanks for the tip and pics.
PS: If you pick more than one woman from the tree does the 3 days get any shorter?

Cheers.

Phu Phra Bat Park is worth a trip too, you can see some great views and even waterfalls in the wet season.

That looks spooky, Lee. Tried to describe it to a friend in work and all I could think of was the Bond film that featured Voodoo and Black Magic.

How far away from Udon is Wat Baan Waeng? Looks worth a visit if I get brave enough.

We are off to Phu Phrabat park today,by co-incidence.
I've just shown the missus the pics and she says it makes her frightened and does not want to look.
So maybe just me and my mate from the UK will go inside and she can sit in the car !
Quite possibly a couple of Beer Changs will give us courage !

Zidane

Thanks for posting the pictures Lee.

Looks like Croydon High Street on a Saturday night.

Thanks for these pictures Lee.
There is an identical temple like this not far from Korat, on the way to Non Thai.
I visited this temple some time ago with the family.
the name is Wat Prak Noi.
My wife explained me that you have temples like this all over Thailand.
They are supposed to remind people what will happen to them if they commit sins.
They will go to hell and bad things will happen to them there as shown with explicit statues.
By the way, hell in Thai is "Narok"
(The opposite of Narak (lovely,cute,....) .

Nice pix.

There is a temple park like this one in Bangsaen. Same kind of statues on one side of the park and the Chinese zodiac animals on the other. Tw told me that it's the good side and the bad side.

I went there a couple of years ago, quiet temple and "interesting" statues, lots of ants too. It is about 15 minutes from Ban Phu so allow about 1 hour 15 minutes from Udon. It is down some country roads with a couple of sharp bends off from the main road. You may need to stop and ask for directions when down the country road.

Wife and I drove out to the temple yesterday, very interesting representation of Buddhist sins.

Them naked chicks are a bit erotic.

And nice vid production Lee.

Have got friends visiting from UK in January will take them for a look.Thanks for the idea Lee.