Maha Sarakham is situated in the heart of Northeast Thailand having peaceful atmosphere and being the center of education in the northeast so the name "Taksila of Isan" (Taksila was a city where education of all branches were centered in the ancient India) is given to it. Maha Sarakham is 470 kilometers, along highways, from Bangkok. It occupies an area of 5,291.68 square kilometers being a rolling plain without mountain or hill with the Chi River flows through. The majority of the area is rice field.

The principal occupations of Maha Sarakham people are cultivation and animal raising. Outstanding home industry of Maha Sarakham is sericulture and silk fabric production. Maha Sarakham hand woven silk and cotton mainly have original patterns and are very beautiful.

Borders
North :  Kalasin
South : Surin and Buriram
East :   Roi-Et
West :  Khon Kaen

Distances from Maha Sarakham city to

How to get there

From Bangkok, there are ordinary buses operating to Ubon Ratchatani and stop over at Maha Sarakham several trips a day. The fare is 113 Baht and detailed information can be obtained from the Northeastern Bus Terminal, Tel. 936-3667-8. Air-conditioned buses leaves the Northeastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok for Maha Sarakham three trips a day i.e., at 09.00 a.m., 09.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. charging the fare 158 Baht per person for common air-conditioned bus and 245 Baht for VIP air-conditioned bus.
For those who travel by train or plane, land transport needs to be continued at Khon Kaen for another distance of 72 kilometers to Maha Sarakham.

Festivals & Events

Bun Boek Fa and Red Cross Fair
It is an annual celebration taken  place around the beginning of rice farming season which falls on the 3rd waxing day the of the 3rd lunar month. The fair takes place at the area of the Provincial Administrative Building aiming at the revision and conservation of northeast cultural heritage. The main features of the fair are Bun Boek Fa Procession which concerns about rice goddess spirit and container of Baisi Su Khwan. Along with the main features are cultural activities, local entertainment, folk music performance, and several ceremonies. Buddhist Lent Candle Procession (Amphoe Kosum Phisai) : The one day before Buddhist Lent Day. The festival features various candle processions from several communities competing the beauty of candle decorations.

On Son Klong Yao Chao Wapee Fair
Most people in Wapeephathum District has their own local drum and produce higg quality Klong Yao also. It takes place every year in the middle of March, there are light and sound about Wapeephatum history, Klong Yao procession, Klong Yao playing contest and agricultural , exhibition and farm products.

Bang Fai Festival (Amphoe Na Chuak)
The festival takes place every year during May-June at the court yard of Amphoe Na Chak Office. The festival features the contests of Bang Fai (fire work rocket) procession, procession decoration, and rocket sky-high rising. At night, there are religious rites and entertainment.

Bun Pha Kao Ling (Buffet Dinner for monkeys)
This fair take place on the 2^nd of April every year at Koamphi forest park. There are food and fruits buffet for monkeys, bringing foods and fruit for monkeys and seeing one of the rarest species of the world. "Golden monkey".

Phrathat  Nadun Homage Paying & twelve Months Tradition Fair
This fair takes place on the 15th waxing day of the 3rd lunar month (Makha Bucha Day) of every year. The fair ground is the area around Phrathat Nadun, Buddhist Bounds of the northeast and it lasts five days and five nights.