Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom is on top of a hill which looks down on Mukdahan and the Mekong River. The view also takes in Savannakhet in Laos. You park at the bottom of the hill and get a baht bus to the top. The wat itself has two main features: the huge white Buddha, which can be seen for miles around, and the striking Naga statue to one side. You approach the 20 metre high Naga via an avenue of red ribbons which can be inscribed and tied along the route. The Naga is 120 metres long and resplendent in the sunshine with its bluey-green sheen. The white Buddha is 60 metres high and commands an imperious view towards the river. The interior of the statue is a work in progress and looks like it will have decorated galleries at different levels eventually. From its base to its top, the Buddha is 84 metres tall, constructed in honour of Rama IX’s 84th birthday.