The Footprints of Buddha at Wen Pla are situated at Wat Phra Bat Wen Pla in the village of Wen Pla, in the district of Tha Uthen. These remarkable footprints are found on a small rocky outcrop in the Mekong River, approximately 100 meters from the riverbank to the northwest. Adjacent to the riverbank lies a small mound, approximately 30 meters wide, 50 meters long, and 1 meter high, known as Don Phra Bat. The rock featuring the Buddha's footprints is situated at a sloping angle, measuring between 2 to 10 meters in length and rising about 2 meters above the water. On the surface of the rock, there are two distinct impressions resembling human footprints. The upper footprint is rectangular, measuring 55 centimeters wide and 2.05 meters long, while the lower impression is a flat slab with a central circular hole that shows five toes, with the big toe positioned at the bottom. These footprints are best visible during the dry season, particularly in April each year. In honor of these significant relics, the local administrative organization has organized the "Namasakara Phra Buddha Bat Wen Pla" event from April 13 to 15, 2013, inviting devotees to pay their respects to the footprints and to celebrate the memory of the Buddha. To facilitate access for worshippers and tourists, villagers came together to construct a wooden bridge extending from the bank into the middle of the Mekong River. The significance of the “Wen Pla Buddha Footprints” is profound, with historical references found in ancient palm-leaf manuscripts from the time of the first construction of Phra That Phanom around 500 B.C. Over 2,500 years ago, it is believed that after attaining enlightenment, the Buddha journeyed to the region of Chomphu, along the banks of the Mekong River. Here, he was invited by the Naga kings from the underwater realm to teach the Dharma beneath the waves. Before he returned to the earthly realm, the Naga kings requested a sacred representation of him, leading to his imprints left on this rock, which we now call the “Wen Pla Buddha Footprints.” During the rainy season, these footprints are submerged, becoming a sacred site for those who revere the mystical waters, while at the onset of the dry season, they emerge, inviting worshippers from Thailand and Laos in March and April. The footprints are located about 100 meters from the riverbank and 200 meters from Wat Phra Bat Wen Pla. Visitors must take a boat to access the footprints during the dry season, from January to May. Each year, during the Songkran Festival, rituals and water-pouring ceremonies take place at the site, accompanied by the construction of a bridge across the Mekong River for easier access. Traveling to the Wen Pla Footprints is relatively straightforward. They are located roughly 15 kilometers from Nakhon Phanom city. Drive along Highway 212 (Tha Uthen-Ban Phaeng) for about 15 kilometers, past the Ban Wen Phra Bat School on the left, then continue for another 100 meters to find the entrance to Wat Phra Bat Wen Pla on the right. Following the signs for about 2 kilometers will guide you to the temple. Alternatively, if departing from Wat Phra Bat Wen Pla, turning right back onto Highway 212 for about 5 kilometers will lead you to riverside roads with opportunities to visit Wat Phra That Tha Uthen, which is significant for those born on Fridays. For further information, visitors may reach out to the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Nakhon Phanom by calling 042-513490-1, with operating hours from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily, or visit www.tatsanuk.blogspot.com. The site is located approximately 12 kilometers from the city of Nakhon Phanom. Turn right across from Ban Wen Phra Bat School, about 2 kilometers from the Friendship Bridge 3, and approximately 30 kilometers from Nakhon Phanom Airport. Public transport options are available on routes connecting Nakhon Phanom to Si Songkhram, Nah Hwa, Ban Phaeng, and the regions of Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, and Udon Thani.