Pha Mo E Dang

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About Pha Mo E Dang

The landscape of the area leaves much to be desired, with only a single cliff and the Cambodian valley below to admire. The pricing system is a point of contention for many visitors, with foreigners being charged a hefty 400 baht fee, compared to the 40 baht fee for locals. This discrepancy in pricing has been perceived as discriminatory by some, and has even deterred some from visiting the site altogether.

One visitor, who has lived in the nearby Surin province for five years, shared his disappointing experience. Despite having a Thai ID card, he was still required to pay the foreigner's fee. He opted to spend his time at a nearby restaurant instead, while his family continued to the mountain top. His wife later reported that the view was not worth the 40 baht fee. They recommended the Chong Sangam border crossing, located about 30 km west, which offers a free panoramic mountain top view, a nice coffee shop, a restaurant, and a free trail through the forest to a Buddhist shrine in a cave.

Despite the beautiful views and rich history, some visitors feel that the 400 baht entry fee for foreigners is not justified. The town of Kantharalak, where the site is located, doesn't offer much else in terms of attractions. The dual pricing system has been a source of frustration for many.

The rising entrance costs have been attributed to government greed. While it's understood that locals should have the opportunity to see their own country at a lower cost, the tenfold price increase for tourists has been deemed unacceptable by many. Some visitors have even compared this pricing system to racism, stating that such a system would cause an outcry if implemented in the UK or USA.

However, not all experiences have been negative. Some visitors have found the view from Pha mo e đang, located in the district of Sisaket, to be breathtaking. Despite the location being quite remote, the stunning view and great weather make the journey worthwhile. The admission fee for locals is a mere 40 baht, and while it's higher for foreigners, some visitors feel it's not too pricey. The weather is unlike typical Thai weather, with some visitors even needing to wear a jacket due to the cold.

One visitor enjoyed their visit to the infamous Khao Phra Viharn in Sisaket Province so much that they visited twice. The site, which is the scene of an ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, is located on a mountain range. The cliff serves as the border, with Thailand on the cliff top and Cambodia below. The temple and some of its surrounding area, located on the cliff top, are in Cambodia. The site has been a source of conflict in recent years, with soldiers from both countries being killed. Despite this, the soldiers are reported to be very accommodating and polite to visitors.

The visitor also recommended the ancient carvings located down some stairs that lead below the cliff, which they believe were done by abseiling 10th century monks. Despite the early morning chill, they enjoyed watching the sunrise over the valley. Overall, while the pricing system has been a source of frustration for many, the breathtaking views and rich history make the site worth a visit for some.