Welcome to our Blog about the province and city of Khon Kaen
locally known as Isaan.
In
the province of Khon Kaen, including the Northeast region of Thailand is the
city of Khon Kaen. It is the commerce and political center of Northeastern
Thailand, and is well known for the silk that is manufactured in the area. Located in the heart of northeast region of
Thailand (Isaan), In the last several years, construction has been aggressive
within the city, including the widening of Mitaprahp Road a major highway on
the West side of Khon Kaen (Highway 2 Bangkok-Nong Khai). Many new hotels,
malls and major brand stores are popping up across the city. Transit is
improving along with other infrastructure. The present population of the city
is around 450,000.
Why visit in Khonkaen
The
more popular tourist destinations in Thailand are Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and
Chiangmai, but these places tend to be overly commercialized. If you want to go
to a place where you can experience some of the local people, customs, and
traditions, Isaan is the place to be. The real Thailand is outside the popular
tourist destinations. Northeast Thailand is often neglected by tourists so what
better reason do you need to come.
Traveling to Khon Kaen
Is quite easy by bus, air, train, or car.
Nokair (http://www.nokair.com/content/en/destinations/khonkaen.aspx) AirAsia (http://www.airasia.com/th/en/where-we-fly/flight-schedule.page)
and Thai Airways (http://www.thaiairways.com/en/index.page) from Bangkok Travel
by air from Bangkok to Khon Kaen is
usually about 45 minutes. If you have the time to take the train, some
of the sights will be quite spectacular but very long time up to 8-9 hours due
to multiple stops. You will experience
traveling with the local population. Good news is that in the near future a
high speed train is already under construction for a Bangkok to Khon Kaen Link.
Two main bus companies Nakhonchai Air
and Chan Tours services between Bangkok
and Khon return. Buses from Bangkok to Khon Kaen leave the Bangkok Bus Terminal
(also called Mochit Bus Terminal and Chatuchak Bus Terminal). You can get a
taxi from BTS Mochit or MRT Chatuchak to reach either the Bangkok Bus Terminal
(both companies)
There is even an 'international
bus' that runs between Khon Khaen and Vientiane/Viengchan Laos. It's a modern
air con bus and relatively inexpensiive. Otherwise, you can take buses between
Khon Khaen and Nong Khai and transfer from the bus station to the Friendship
Bridge/border via tuk tuk or via another 'international bus' that runs between
Nong Khai and Vientiane. If you're in a rush, then it's faster but costs more
to take a tuk tuk to the border with Laos. The international bus starts/ends at
Viengchan's Talat Sao/Morning Market Bus Station. You will have to have a Lao
visa and your passport to buy the bus ticket.
There's also the train which goes all the way
to Nong Khai from Hualamphong Train Station in Bangkok and also picks up
passengeres en route to Nong Khai (meaning that you can also catch the train in
Khon Khaen, too).
What you can see in town Khon Kaen:
1. The old temple of Khon Kaen, located in old
city area. Inside the temple with tall buildings called Phrathat Nongwang. It houses relics and a museum. You can climb up to
the topmost floor high above the city to view beautiful Khon Kaen and Kaen Nakorn pond.
2. The museum of Khon Kaen:
There
are two museums located in Khon Kaen University.Both in the Office of Culture
building.
1) is Art and Culture University Museum on the
1st floor,serviced for
permanent exhibitions on Northeastern region and 2) is Educational Museum on
the 2nd floor,exhibited about Northeastern (Esan),Thailand.There are nine
zones: welcoming you to Esan, Geography of Esan, History and Archaeology of
Esan, Ethnicity in Esan area, Culture-Tradition-Architecture of Esan, Music and
Performance in Esan, Local intellect and crafts of Esan, Present Esan and
computer resource on Esan culture.Open: 10.00-19.00,daily.
Services: Gallery tour guide(for group
only),Workshops and Gallery shop of handmade local products.
3. Bueng Kaen Nakhon
Bueng means pond or lake.This huge pond is a natural one
where the old city used to settled around this area.It used to be a reservoir
for community but nowadays it changed to be a public park with some parts that
you can enjoy the scenery and have great Thai meals in at local restaurants.
4. Hong Mun Mung:
the city museum of Khon Kaen
Located under the open air stadium, close to Kaen Nakorn
lake is the first place to study about the past Khon Kaen before discover of
this province.The exhibitions show about Khon Kaen's history,the establishment
of Khon Kaen,the city and ways of life of the people of Khon Kaen and present
day interesting places in Khon Kaen. This is the most modern museum in Khon
Kaen. All the exhibitions presented with models,dioramas,multimedia and
pictorial illustration. Assisting in the
museum are exhibition guides, volunteer local people and students who are knowledgeable of their land and culture. Open: 09.00-17.00. Closed on
Sunday and national holidays. Admission fee: 90 THB.
5. Khon
Kaen National Museum
This museum housed all artifacts which found in
upper N/E area from Pre-history to present included local artifacts. The museum
building have two floors exhibit the local content of upper Isan area in the
field of Geography, History, Archaeology, Folk culture and Ethnology. These are
classified into different topics such as Prehistorical Period ,Historical
Period, Dvaravati Culture ,Khmer culture
of Lopburi and Thai - Lao Cultural arts.
The most interesting artifact is or
boundary marker (sema) which was founded in Fa Dad Song Yang Ancient city in
Kalasin province.The sema carved the story of Buddha life which depicted the
story,clothing, accessories and
architectures of
that period. It tells more about Dvaravati period in this
Esan area. Outside also exhibits some more Semas in an open air building and in
the field. You can see how the Dvaravati people depicted in the sema. Museum services : museum guide, documentary
arrangement service and library service. Museum shop selling souvenir items and
books concerning history, fine arts and archaeology
Open : 09.00 a.m.-16.00 p.m. Closed : Monday, Tuesday and Public holidays.
Admission fee : 30 Bahts
In the same area located the 7th regional office of Archaeology and National
Museum Khon Kaen :
Tel. (043) 242129 Fax.
7. Bueng Nong Descent marshes, swamps over
a large area of 900 acres with parks and lakes.
8. Bueng Thungsang Health Park
is of 3 lakes
which is beautiful and a natural park for exercises.
9. San Lakmeuang
KhonKaen
Lak mueang are city pillars found
in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house Chao Pho Lak
Mueang , the city spirit deity. They are held in high esteem by citizens.
(Read more)
Shopping
Hugz shopping mall food and Restaurants and shopping, CentralPlaza food and Restaurants and shopping, Fairy Plaza food and restaurants and shopping, Sentosa Pratunam Market(Clothes) wholesale shopping Tesco Lotus , Big C,
TonTann Night Market, Makro Wholsale Shopping like Costco ,Bang lamphu market (in down town) Ban Kham Hai Hua Thua Thung Pracha Bamrung Market khon Kaen(Close Bueng Kaen Nakhon Lake) ,Night market in down town and Walking Street on
every SaturdayHome building Dohome and Homepor
Restaurant
Aim Aod Restaurant (breakfast) , Vt Namnueng Khonkaen Restaurant
Khao Tom Kok Restaurant , (Guay Jub Bud Kiw)
Openeveryday : 18:30 - 04:00 Price down 100 Thai baht
Close charoenthanihotel, Kosa-beer-garden and Zap Naur and pengkhonkaen
hotpot and buffer hotpot and buffer SuanHunsa (Close Khonkane University) Rachawadee resort&hotel (Restaurn and karaoke Close Air port)
Gift
Jae Rach
Souvenir Kosa
Tarvel around in town
NovaBizz (Airport ) and Car Rent Khon Kaen (Close to Pullman Hotel)
Travel around a town
For a taxi look for metered taxis not taxis who charge by the ride. TukTuK are
a good and cheap way to get around but ask the price first. To travel outside
the city you can use the Van Service west side of CentralPaza You can travel outside Kaen Kaen by bus terminal Check link below
For Hotel stays:Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid HotelCharoen Thani Khon Kaen Hotel, Kosa Hotel,Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Khon Kaen, Piman Garden Boutique Hotel , Rachawadee
Resort & Hotel Khon Kaen (Close Airport), Glacier-hotel
GreenHotel KhonKaen, SFBiz Hotel ,
Piman, Garden Hotel, Amnauysuk Hotel, The Boss Grant Tower, The charnresort,Hop
Inn Khon Kaen, Chada Veranda Hotel, I hotel Khonkaen, Nuchjaree Place, KhonKaen
Orchid, the next grand hotel, Hotel La Villa ,Le Lerts Living, (Close the lake ): Good Times Apartment Veeranya vill Hotel , Non c Park Hotel, Ruean Kanyarat Boutique Ingtara HotelOutsite town From Khon Kaen airport, a taxi to downtown costs
200 +/-THB. just tell the driver where you want him to drop
you off. A lot hotels in Khon Kaen also provide free airport pick up and drop
off so check on that while you make your booking.
Rachawadee Resort & Hotel Khon Kaen (Close Airport),Glacier-hotel
Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Khon Kaen
Glacier Hotel
Festival
Silk Festival 29 November -10 December Songkran Festival 13-15 April on Every year
