Page 53 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL6

The group then moved to the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, one of the most important prehistoric settlements discovered in Southeast Asia. The Ban Chiang National Museum features collections of the era’s artefacts and pottery excavated in the area, while the nearby Wat Phosri Nai burial site exhibits unearthed graves full of skel- etons and utensils.The day’s final stop was the Ban Chiang handicraft group. Here delegates could see the full production process of indigo-dyed fabric weaved into beautiful pieces of cloth and scarves with local patterns. The group’s products are renowned for their high quality and being chemical-free, and are much sought after in local and international fabric markets.The group crossed the border to Vientiane on the last day, and was shown the city’s iconic landmarks,such as the Lao National Museum, Patu Xay (Victory Arch) and Pha That Luang. The museum is set in a French colonial building and provides the most comprehensive information on Lao history, palaeon- tology, archaeology and ethnology. The arch, the city’s most noticeable landmark, sits at the intersection of wide avenues, creating a star shape similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built as a memorial for those serving their country in war and is decorated with traditional Lao stuccos and bas-reliefs. The top floor offers a beautiful panoramic view of the streets below. The gold-covered Pha That Luang, established in the third century and believed to house Buddha relics, is regarded as the country’s most important national monument and a national symbol.The trip demonstrated Phu Phra Bat’s legitimacy to join Ban Chiangon the UNESCO world heritage list and showed Udon Thani, with its wealth of natural and cultural heritage, as a prime tourism destination and convenient gateway to neighbouring Laos.As HE Ly Bounkham, ambassador of Laos, noted, “Udon Thani already has so much to contribute as a travel destination. It’s a superb connecting point to Laos. It will only benefit the region more, which Laos will also cherish, once Thailand is notified of the good news on Phu Phra Bat.”For information on Phu Phra Bat’s inscription status, visit whc.unesco. org/en/tentativelists/1920/. For travel information to Udon Thani, visit www. tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/ Udon-Thani.Elite+ 51