Imagine standing in between two walls of jagged rocks that are also reflected under the water. A scenic view of the sky and the sunset peers over the horizon. This is what one can experience when exploring Sam Pan Bok in Thailand. Located in Pho Sai District (Wikipedia
Article), near Ubon Ratchathani, it is often compared to the Grand Canyon because of its gorge that is around 7 meters deep and up to 20 meters wide. It is made up of sandstone cliffs that run along the Mekong River, and holes carved out of rocks. Sam Pan Bok, when translated to English, literally means ‘3,000 holes’. These holes were formed over millions of years, which make it even more fascinating.
Portions within the Sam Pan Bok also have their names. Hat Hong sits between two ridges, which give the best vista of the sunset. Pak Bong is the area where the Mekong River canal is at its narrowest at 56 meters. Lak Sila Lek or ‘Siladej Rock Cliff’ is a rock that served as reference by French soldiers in history, to mark the water level of the river when shipping goods using their steam boats.
The holes are made of odd and random shapes, yet some turned out to be familiar, like the shape of Mickey Mouse. Some are smooth, while others are textured and uneven due to wind and water. Some of these holes remain as ponds, some small and some big enough where people can swim in it. Tourist guides have mentioned that the most serene of these ponds is called Sa Morakot, meaning “emerald pond”. The area is also a hub for fishing in the community during January and February. The villagers are known to use big swings to catch fish. Water jelly-fish, though rarely seen, can also be found in the river.