Khon Kaen, Thailand

Geography:
Khonkaen 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.


Attractions:
Bung Kaen Nakhon a large and clean body of water covering an area of some 50 acres is a popular place for relaxation for the town people, with a restaurant providing tasty dishes.

Khon Kaen National Museum as a northeastern regional museum, it puts on exhibition various discoveries from the Fine Arts Unit 7 such as Ban Chiang artifacts and sculptured boundary stones found at Muang Fa Daet Sung Yang, Kalasin Province. Open daily except Mondays and Tuesdays.

Phra That Kham Kaen located at Amphoe Nam Phong about thirty kilometers from town, is the principal sacred place of worship for the Khon Kaen people. The name of the province itself was derived from the word Kham Kaen.

 

Ubolrat Dam, 50 kilometers from town, is the largest multi-purpose dam in the Northeast. Ubolrat Dam is 800 metres long and 32 meters high. The rock-filled structure's 410 square kilometre reservoir comprises a picturesque lake storing some 2,550 million cubic metres of water. The dam setting is suitable for recreation.

Phu Kao - Phu Phan Kham National Park 56 kilometers from the province on Khon Kaen - Ubonrat Dam - Non Sang route, the park covers a total area of 320 square km. or 201,250 rai of Amphoe Ubonrat, Khon Kaen Province and Amphoe Non sang, Nong Bua Lam Phu. It was established as a national park on September 20,1985. Most of the area is covered with Dipterocarps Forests with Mixed Deciduous Forests and Evergreen Forests in some parts. Various kinds of activities such as jungle trips, lodging at a guesthouse, camping in the forest, and a campfire are enhanced by its landscape. In addition, the lifestyle of the area's ancient community of the same period as Ban Chiang can also be studied from paintings in a cave.

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.

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.

Ku Puai Noi, in Wat That Ku Thong Amphoe Puai Noi is a 12th century Lop Buri or Khmer style sanctuary built of laterite land sandstone. The structure is distinguished by exquisite designs on door frames and walls. The Brahman sanctuary is surrounded by a large stone wall with two major gates.

Chum Phae Ancient Town Located at Ban Na Pho, Amphoe Chum Phae, 80 kms. away from Khon Kaen, the town is locally known as Non Muang. Sandstone boundary stones, pots herds, and skeletons of ancient people were unearthed here. All discoveries imply that the site was once a habitation area that can be traced back to pre-historic town up to Lop Buri period, about 600 years ago.

Phu Wiang Nationl Park covers some 75000 acres. Enclosed by surrounding mountains to form a valley, it is rich in flora and fauna and beautiful waterfalls. Remains of dinosaurs were discovered there, and a Buddha image carved on the face of a steep hill dates from the Dvaravati period. The park office is located 15 kilometers from Amphoe Phu Wiang

Phu Nok Khao is a strangely-shaped mountain on the boundary of Amphoe Chum Phae in Khon Kaen and Amphoe Phu Kradung in Loei.

Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park is some 120 kilometers from town on the Khon Kaen-Chum Phae Highway, with another four kilometers on a side road to the park. The cave itself can be visited by walking from the parking area to the other side of the hill where the entrance is located.


Major Events:
Silk Fair and Phuk Sieo Tradition held annually in late November or early December in front of the city hall and in Ratchadanusorn Park, the events last 7 days and 7 nights. The activities include Thida Mai or Miss Silk procession, and an exhibition on the promotion of silk products. A variety of local entertainments is also planned.


How to get there:
By Air
Thai Airways operates daily flights to Khonkaen. Contact Bangkok (02)535-2081-2 or (02)280-0080 for further details.

By Bus
Air conditioned coaches and non-air conditioned buses regularly leave from Bangkok's Northeastern Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet Road throughout the day. Telephone (02) 271-0101-5 (non-air-cond) or (02) 279-4484-7(air-cond) for further details.

By Rail
Trains leave Bangkok's Hualampong Railway Station throughout the day for Khonkaen. Further details may be obtained by contacting Rail Travel Information, Tel : (02) 223-7010 or (02) 233-7020. Ext : 4311-3.