The central province of Khammouane is located in the middle between Borikhamsay at the north and Savannakhet at the south. Khammouane province also shared a border with Vietnam at the east and Nakhon Phanom, Thailand to the west. The majority of its population is made up of Lao Loum ( low lander) and Phouthai ethnic group. The main work of people here is farming. Laos was divided into 3 Kingdoms since AD 1770 until the French colonized the country for the first time in AD 1893 and the second time in AD 1948, while in AD 1975, the Americans administered Laos. Before then, Khammouane province, as well as Thakhek were merely called Muang Tha and Khek was added as many peoplemoved down from the north to trade. These people were called guests (khek) and the town was called the city of guests, or the port visited by many guests, and this name has therefore remained until the present time. The province possesses river and land transport routes such as the road No. 13 south passing through this town to the south, the road No.12 leading to Vietnam, limited air transport. In terms of culture and religion (Buddhism), the province displays special features where the population worships That Sikhottabong, (That Muang Kao). Thakhek or Guest Landing is the capital of Khammouane province. The city’s remaining Franco-Chinese architecture, including a simple fountain square, is one attraction of this commercial center. At Thekhek’s market, you will find all sorts of products for sale, including gold and silver, while the Khammouane Museum features important historical and archaeological artifacts. At Thakek, tourists can cross the Mekong River to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. Around the Thakek city, you will find many attractions to keep you busy. That Sikhotabong stupa, one of the most improtant religions sites in Laos, lies just 8 Km to the south of Thakek. A major annual festival is held here in July. Route 12, east of Thakek, is lined with striking limestone formations, including steep cliffs and mysterious caves. Set against this impressive backdrop near the border with Vietnam is the new city of Lak Sao, an important center for trade between Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Tham Pha Ban Tham ( Pha Ban Tham cave) is a Buddha cave. This Buddha cave is located in the east of Thakhek at approximately 8 Km on the road No. 12 of Thakhek, Masasai, Nhommalath untill 7 Km where a feeder road on the right hand which takes us after 1 Km to the site. The Buddha cave is located on half the way to high cliff on the road following steep rocks and adorned with a Buddha statue for several years. As we enter the cave, stalagmites have taken the form of an elephant as if it was carved by humans, which is worshipped by the population every year during the 5th month, when the villages and Thakhek population sprinkle water and perform its prayers. This Buddha Cave may be visited during the dry season, but will be flooded during the rainy season and the road hardly usable. Tham Xianglieb is located in the east of Thakhek, at approximately 14 Km on the road No. 12 at Mahasai and Nhommalat district, requiring 30 minutes of drive. Xianglieb cave is a natural cave from where flows a stream called Houay Xianglieb. This cave is placed under the high Cliff, a cave where many historical drawings may be found and has a long cliff elongating from Ban Tham to Pha Hom and crest covered with natural forests. Natural atmosphere and light may be found in the cave, which is endowed with playing grounds and a beautiful natural creek. However, this cave may only be visited during the dry season, as the water would rise during the rainy season and the cave consequently flooded, forbidding any visit. Tha Falang (French port) or Vang Santiphap is located in the east of Thakhek, at approximately 16Km along the road No.12 passing throung Mahasai and Nhommalath districts until 14 Km (Pha Hom), where a feeder road on the left hand leads us after a distance of approximately 2Km to the tourist site, while it take35 minutes from Tha Falang by road. The site is watered by Don River and there is a big cave in a steep cliff covered with dense forests. During the French administration, this place was a fovorite tourist site for vacations( from were the site receives its name of Tha Falang until nowadays). The special feature of this site is that the green deep water is fresh, clean and fishy, flowing throughout the seasons allowing the tourists to return to genuinely pure nature. There is no air leave for Khammouane, just dairect buses from early morning until late afternoon. Bus takes 3 hours reach it.
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