100 Travel Stories
The Grand Canyon of Thailand: Sam Pan Bok
Sam Pan Bok (3,000 Holes)
One of the lesser known attractions of Thailand is the impressive Sam Pan Bok – the Grand Canyon of Thailand, located near Ubon Ratchathani, close to Laos.
Made up of sandstone cliffs that run along the Mekong River, the Sam Pan Bok canyon can be best seen by taking long tail boat tours from the Song Khon village. The boat stops in few places allowing the tourists to step on different rock formations and sandy beaches.
Climbing up to the plateau, the view is breathtaking. The 7 meters tall and 20 meters wide plateau lying in the middle of the Mekong River is filled with many holes and basins. No wonder the name of the place Sam Pan Bok means ’3,000 holes’.
The best time to visit is during the dry season between December and April, in the mornings and evenings.
Sam Pan Bok – The Grand Canyon of Thailand
Long tail boat
Boat approaching the shore
Volcanic landscape
Sandstone cliffs
View of the canyon
Tourists on the canyon ridge
Sam Pan Bok canyon
3,000 holes
Children playing
Canyon hole
Sandy beach
Nearby Attractions
Wat Thung Si Muang Temple
Wat Thung Si Muang is a temple on stilts built in the middle of a lotus covered pond. A wooden bridge connects the temple with the land.
The temple was constructed in the 1800s in a mix of Lao, Burmese and Thai styles. A replica of the Buddha’s footprint can be found inside the temple.
Wat Thung Si Muang Temple
Phu Phrabat Bua Bok Forest Park
Here you can find interesting mushroom shape rock formations formed by glaciers.
Phu Phrabat balancing rocks