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Maha Sarakham

มหาสารคาม · Northeast Thailand

Isaan culturestudent townsoff-the-beaten-path
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About Maha Sarakham Province

Maha Sarakham sits near the geographic centre of Isaan and is often called the region's educational capital thanks to Mahasarakham University and Rajabhat Mahasarakham University. The countryside is classic upper Isaan: rice paddies, sugar cane, and small Lao-Isaan villages where mor lam music and silk weaving remain part of everyday life. The most important religious landmark is Phra That Na Dun, a tall white chedi built to enshrine relics found at a nearby ancient Dvaravati-era site.

Key facts

Population
953,660 (2020)
Area
5,292 km²
Density
180 / km²
Districts
13
Capital
Maha Sarakham
ISO code
TH-44
All 13 districts

Borabue · Chiang Yuen · Chuen Chom · Kae Dam · Kantharawichai · Kosum Phisai · Kut Rang · Mueang Maha Sarakham · Na Chueak · Na Dun · Phayakkhaphum Phisai · Wapi Pathum · Yang Sisurat

Top Highlights

  • Phra That Na Dun, a tall white chedi linked to a Dvaravati-era archaeological site

  • Mahasarakham University, giving the town a young, lively student atmosphere

  • Traditional Lao-Isaan silk weaving villages in the surrounding countryside

  • Affordable night markets and Isaan street food near the university campuses

Getting There

Maha Sarakham is about 470 km northeast of Bangkok. Most travellers fly into Khon Kaen or Roi Et and drive an hour, or take an overnight bus from Mo Chit directly to Maha Sarakham town.

Inside Maha Sarakham

Districts (13)

Borabue ·Chiang Yuen ·Chuen Chom ·Kae Dam ·Kantharawichai ·Kosum Phisai ·Kut Rang ·Mueang Maha Sarakham ·Na Chueak ·Na Dun ·Phayakkhaphum Phisai ·Wapi Pathum ·Yang Sisurat

Mapped in Maha Sarakham

70 places of interest recorded in OpenStreetMap. Coverage is contributed by volunteers and varies by area, so treat these as a guide to what is mapped rather than a complete inventory.

  • 46Temples
  • 9Museums
  • 7Markets
  • 5Historic sites
  • 3Attractions

Named examples

  • Wat Sawang Wichan
  • Ku Thong Thammawiwek Temple
  • Phra That Na Dun
  • Wat Pa Nong Son
  • Wat Phut Pradit
  • Khok Phra Municipality Market
  • Wat Pa Charoen Tham
  • Nong Bon Temple

© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Harvested 2026-08-01.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources

Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.

  1. 1.Q468554 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
  2. 2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
  3. 3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026

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Factual claims on this page are sourced and dated. Where something could not be verified, we say so rather than guessing.

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Maha Sarakham

มหาสารคาม

Region

Northeast Thailand

Capital

Mueang Maha Sarakham

Best For

Isaan culturestudent townsoff-the-beaten-path

Highlights

  • Phra That Na Dun, a tall white chedi linked to a Dvaravati-era archaeological site
  • Mahasarakham University, giving the town a young, lively student atmosphere
  • Traditional Lao-Isaan silk weaving villages in the surrounding countryside
  • Affordable night markets and Isaan street food near the university campuses
View all 76 province guides →
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