Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen lies in the geographical heart of Thailand's sprawling northeast plateau, an are known among Thai as I-San. Khonkaen was established in 1783 and is a major regional development center and university city. The provincial capital is 449 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. The province covers an area of 10,886 square kilometers, parts of which contain national and forest parks.

Attraction


Bung Kaen Nakorn This popular lakeside recreation center in the southern part of the city is well-known for its many footstalls selling popular local specialties, particularly som tam (spicy raw papaya salad) and kai yang (barbecued domestic chicken).





Ubolrat Dam
Some 50 kilometres. northwest of the provincial capital, this scenic dam is the largest multi-purpose dam in I-San, generating electricity for eight neighboring provinces. A reservoir-side restaurant and opportunities for boat trips make the dam a popular weekend destination.







Khon Kaen National Museum
The museum contains a large collection of artifact, particularly from the Northeast, including those discovered at major archaeological sites such as Ban Chiang, where the world's first Bronze Age civilization was believed to have flourished more than 5,000 years ago.

Non Muang
This ancient Chumpae site,85 kilometres from the Khonkaen, is believed to have been inhabited from prehistoric times until at least the 10th century AD. Human skeletons and 3,000-year-old bronze tools have been discovered in the area.

Phra That Kham Kaen
This is a 19-metre high at Wat Jediyaphum about 30 kilometres northeast of Khonkaen town. The legend has it that two revered monks on their way to Nakhon Phanom provide spent the night at the site of present temple where they observed the dead tamarind tree. They told the villagers to build a Chedi over the 'Kham Kaen' (hardwood log). The province derives its name form this chedi.

Koo Puay Noi
This Khmer complex, 76 kilometres from the provincial in Puay Noi district, is the largest Khmer complex in Khonkaen. Three brick pagodas, a laterite palace and beautifully carved doors are of particular interest.

Wat Udom Khongkha Kiri Khet
is an elegant hill-top temple in Mancha Khiri district. It is know for its ornate gold coloured roof and beautifully decorated doors. The temple is 67 kilometres from town on Highway 2149, has a display of the belongings of Luang Poo Pharng ,a monk revered by I-San people.

Wat Nongwang
Wat Nongwang is located south of the city on Klangmuang Road. This Wat was built at the cost of around 40 million baht. A good view of Khon Kaen city and Bung Kaen Nakhon Lake can be seen from the 9-tiered balcony that surrounds the outside of the Temple. The wat abbott will occasionally invite visitors to the top of the wat to view ancient Buddhist artifacts.

Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park
The 320 square-kilometre area covers part of Ubonrat district and extends into the neighbouring province of Udon Thani. Deciduous and evergreen forests offer ample trekking opportunities. The park may be reached by following the route from Khonkaen to Ubolrat Dam to Non Sang.

Pha Nok Khao
This impressive outcropping of strangely shaped rocks is 125 kilometres west of the provincial capital along Highway 201 in a mountainous area extending into Loei province. The Nam Pong River and Loei's Phu Kradung, a scenic national park, can be seen from this vantage point.

Phu Wieng National Park
This area, some 60 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital, along Route 2038, contains a number of important archaeological sites with evidence of I-San's earliest inhabitants seen from prehistoric rock painting. Fossil remains of a herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaur may be seen at park headquarters at Hua Phu Chon Reservoir.

Tham Pha Puang Forest Park
Some 120 kilometres from the provincial capital on the Khonkaen-Chumpae highway, a large and interesting cave can be reached by walking up the hill from the parking area. Lush forests grace the area.

Chonnabot Silks
Chonnabot Silks, manufactured in Amphoe Chonnabot, 16 kilometres along Route 2057 off Highway 2 at kilometre 399 marker, are favourite shopping items among all visitors to Khon Kaen, and include the famed Mud Mee, or tie-dyed silk.





Turtle Village
Mu Ban Tao or Turtle Village Two kilometers from Amphoe Mancha Khiri with the same turn as Ban Kok, the village houses a species of turtle local known as Tao Phek a kind of turtle with yellowish brown carapace.



Festivals

Dok Khoon Siang Khaen Flower Festival

April 12-15 Bueng Kaen Nakhon, Khon Kaen This festival coincides with Songkran (the traditional Thai New Year) and is staged at Bung Kaen Nakhon. Featuring colorful floral processions, major festival activities include religious rites and merit-making and I-San folk music. Dancing and entertainment.





Silk Festival

November 29-December 10 Khon Kaen City Hall, Khon Kaen Staged annually in front of Government Houses, this promotes silk weaving and silk worm culture. Pook Sieo, an I-San tradition promoting close friendship between people of similar ages, is also celebrated during this occasion.







Khon Kaen Nightlife

The nightlife skyline of Khon Kaen, as with any Thai city, changes frequently. A night spot that is popular one day may become yesterday's news at the blink of an eye. It would be impossible to list every bar, dance club, massage parlor, or other entertainment venue within the city of Khon Kaen. Some of the more popular, permanent night spots will be listed within these pages. Locations that are popular with local expats will also be listed.

The nightlife of Khon Kaen cannot be compared to popular tourist areas such as Bangkok or Pattaya. If you are looking for rows and rows of beer bars stocked with working girls, then the nightlife of Khon Kaen will be a great disappointment. If you are looking for a subdued, friendly atmosphere, then Khon Kaen has much to offer.