Bueng Waeng

Bueng Waeng is a swamp in front of Khon Sawan District Office, covering approximately 350 rai. There is a road constructed around the swamp. The swamp is announced as a non-hunting area since there are thousands of teals emigrating from other places during winter from November to April. At dusk, the sky will be filled with flocks of soaring teals, which appear contrasted to the breath-taking light of sunset. Many high towers are built around the swamp at intervals for bird-watching and for relaxation.Bueng Waeng or Nong Waeng is a habitat of wild animals among concrete buildings. There are thousands of teals, both the local ones and the emigrating ones which escape from coldness in Siberia, dwelling at Bueng Waeng. The teals normally stay in the swamp during daytime. They sleep and float in group in the water. Then, they start to fly and hunt for food around 5 p.m.-6 p.m. in the evening and fly back to the swamp the next day around 4 a.m.-6 a.m. As these teals always fly up in the evening and fly back at dawn, the sounds of them can be the sound of the alarm clock for the villagers to get up to work and to do their routine.At present, there are three bird-watching towers constructed around Bueng Waeng so that the tourists can see the teals and other aquatic animals closely for study as well as for pleasure. There is also Kanchanaphisek garden where flowers and ornamental plants are cultivated and decorated into a small park. The playthings for kids, exercise machines, and stone tables are provided for the tourists to see the teals or to have their meals along the trees’ shade. In order to encourage the ecotourism and to preserve the good traditions, Khon Sawan District holds a tradition of returning the protecting spirits to the teals’ body (Rab Kwan) between December 24 and December 25 every year.