Description
The Sakon Nakhon City Gate (ประตูเมืองสกลนคร) is at the Western edge of city, on the road coming in from Udon Thani. It's across the street from what Google Maps calls the Ruam Chai Thai Sakon Playground (ลานรวมใจไทสกล). But that is a mistranslation. Ruam Chai not a playground but rather a square with a pond.
Perched atop the City Gate are three pavilions which evoke the famous Prasat Phueng pavilions of Sakon Nakhon's Wax Castle Parade. Inside the center pavilion is a replica of Sakon Nakhon's most famous Buddha image Luang Por Ong Saen, which is housed at Wat Phra That Choeng Chum.
In the left pavilion resides a sculpture of Phra Archan Man Phurithatto (Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta), an Isaan monk who helped establish the Thai Forest Tradition and who died in Sakon Nakhon. In the right pavilion is a sculpture of Ajarn Fan Ajaro (Ajahn Fun), a famous Sakon Nakhon monk who apprenticed under Ajahn Mun.
Two long, golden Naga serpents stand guard at the City Gate steps, at the top of which is a round cement mural with scenes from Thai legends. It is a popular place for Thai tourists to have a souvenir photo taken.
To the left of the gate is a statue of Phraya Prachantapradit Thani (พระยาประจันตประเทศธานี), the first governor of Sakon Nakhon, who served in that position for 37 years. He was known for his generosity and commitment toward progress, often sending needed supplies to neighboring communities and cutting a route for telegraph lines between Sakon Nakhon and Udon Thani. He also built 5 temples, including Wat Chaeng Saeng Arun, Wat Dong Mafai, Wat Si Chomphu, Wat Yod Kaew, Wat Si Sumang, and Wat Si Phon Muang.
