Sandstone Semas of Ban Pak Baeng and Ban Na Lak

Ban Pak Baeng and Ban Na Lak are ancient villages beside the Loei River in Wang Saphung Subdistrict. The former is located four kilometres south of the latter. Sandstone Semas, stones that mark a boundary, were first discovered in Ban Pak Baeng in 1965. The stones here are carved into the pattern of a stupa with a high spire, a type of stupas generally found in the North East. The base of each of the stones is carved into a lotus pattern. Found in Ban Na Lak was a pair of Semas which features only a stupa pattern. In 1976, one of the Semas was taken to the Khon Kaen National Museum leaving the other standing alone in Ban Na Lak. Most Semas discovered in the North East were made in Dvaravati and Lopburi styles. They are antiques which reflects the unique local culture.