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accommodation in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Khon Kaen city guide, maps,
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Khon Kaen is the commercial,administrative an educational
centre of the Northeast,which is often used by travellers as a base for
visiting many parts of upper Isan.
Khon Kaen National Museum houses objects from the Dvaravati period and
bronze sculptures from Ban Chiang. Kaen Nakhon Lake in the centre of town is
a popular spot for picnics and dining,while Wat That on its bank features
typical Isan spires.
Khon Kaen is the centre of the northeastern silk industry with numerous
villages producing their own mudmee designs. Chonnabot is noted for its
quality silks. Every December the city hosts a Silk Fair,when all the best
materials are on sale.
Unusual animals are popular in the province,with the cobra and the turtle
villages high on tourist programmes. In both villages, the residents live
with their proteges,training them and putting on fascinating shows. A
dinosaur is the provincial symbol ever since remains of these great beasts
were unearthed in Phu Wiang National Park,an area also famous for its
flora,fauna and waterfalls.
Khon Kaen is 445 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of about 10,886
square kilometres. It comprises the districts of Muang, Ban Phai, Phon, Nam
Phong, Chum Phae, Phu Wiang, Mancha Khiri, Nong Ruea, Kranuan, Nong Song
Hong, Chonnabot, Si Chomphu, Waeng Noi, Ubolratana, Ban Fang, Khao Suan
Kwang, Phra Yuen, Waeng Yai, Pueai Noi, Phu Pha Man, Khok Pho Chai, Nong Na
Kham, Sam Sung and Ban Haet.
How to get to Khon Kaen
By Bus
Buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Khon Kaen every day.
Contact Transport Co.,Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Khon Kaen
via Nakhon Ratchasima, a total distance of 449 kilometres
By Rail
Regular trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Khon
Kaen every day. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.
By Air
Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Khon Kaen every day. Call 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 for more information.
Attractions
Amphoe Ban Fang Hat Sawan Acquiring a 62 rai area, the scenic beach by the lake over Ubolratana Dam is
an ideal place for recreation among the locals and tourists.
Phra That Kham Kaen Phra That Kham Kaen is in Wat Chetiyaphum, Tambon Ban Kham. It can be reached by driving for 16 kilometres on Highway No. 209 (Khon Kaen-Kalasin road) and going left for 14 more kilometres. This is Khon Kaens main
historical site. Legend has it that a dead tamarind stump miraculously grew
branches and leaves again after a procession bearing the holy relics of Lord
Buddha walked past. A pagoda was then built the area, and the name of the
province was actually derived from this sacred place.
Amphoe Ban Phai Scientific Centre for Education Located on a 51 rai plot of land, the centre is a knowledge hub in science
and technology for children, youth, students, and the public. The 2-storey building has various exhibitions regarding science and environment as well
as the Scientist Princess Room which features history and performances of Prof. Dr. Princess Chulabhorn and the Primeval World Room which features
dinosaur and fossils. The scientific center is open on weekdays from 8.30 am. to 4.30 pm. Call 0 4327 4154 for more information.
Amphoe Chonnabot Sala Mai Thai Located in Khon Kaen Vocational College, Sala Mai Thai is part of the
project to celebrate the 60th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen (August 12, 1992). The silk centre was established to support Her Majesty
the Queens mission to promote silk and silk products from Isan as well as conserve the traditions. The centre feature the silk production process from
dyeing to weaving, tools for silk production and rare equipment, and different ancient silk textiles various pattern. The centre also exhibits
the world's most expensive Mudmee silk textile woven by the people of Chonnabot people. The silk textile has won Asian award in silk contest.
Sala Mai Thai is open daily during official hours, Monday to Friday during 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. For more information, contact the Khon Kaen
Vocational College, Amphoe Chonnabot, Khon Kaen 40180 at Tel. 0 4328 6160.
How to get there: From downtown Khon Kaen, visitors can go via Highway 2 (Khon
Kaen-Korat) for 44 kilometres. Turn right at Ban Phai Intersection to Highway 229 and go for another 11 kilometres. Sala Mai Thai is on the left,
opposite to Kong Kaeo Lake.
Amphoe Chum Phae
Non Mueang Ancient Town
The ancient town is located at Ban Na Pho, 80 kilometres from downtown Khon
Kaen. Legends say the hill known as Non Mueange was the location of an
ancient town. Acquiring a 216 rai area, the oval hill has double moats.
Archaeologists have found sandstone Sema boundary markers in Dvaravati style
in the town and nearby. Potsherds were scattered around. Some were painted
in red, and some decorated with incising and cord-marked patterns.
In the soil layer of the Dvaravati period (7-11th century), none of the
funeral-related artifacts was found. So, archaeologists presumed that the
funeral of this town changed after the arrival of Buddhism. In deeper soil,
more interesting historical evidence was found. Archaeologists found that
there used to be a human settlement here since the late pre historic period.
They discovered human skeletons dating back 2,500 years ago. Funeral tools
and utensils were buried together with the bodies. The utensils found
included pottery decorated with painted , incising and cord-marked pattern,
bronze and animal-bone bangles, shells, colorful beads, as well as iron
tools such as hoe, sickle, and animals bones; namely deer, barking deer, and
different fishes. These artifacts prove that people in this community lived
on agriculture until the Lop Buri period (11-12th century).
How to get there: Motorists can get there via Highway 12, Khon Kaen-Chum
Phae Road, then make a left turn at Chum Phae Post Office, continuing for
another 5 kilometres.
Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park
Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park is in Ban Dong Lan, Tambon Pha Nok Khao, 123
kilometres from Khon Kaen on the Khon Kaen-Chum Phae road by Highway No. 12
and 201. A 4-kilometre road on the right then takes you to the park. Tham
Pha Phuang is a huge limestone cave. Inside, is a large chimney-shaped rock
and lovely stalagmites and stalactites.
Amphoe Khok Pho Chai
Wat Udom Khongkha Khiri Khet
Good for meditation practicing, the temple is located deep in lush forest in
Tambon Ban Khok. Luangpu Phang, a Buddhist monk famous in meditation, once
lived here. Today, Buddhists come to visit the temple and pay respect to his
monument in the temple compound.
How to get there: visitors can go via Highway 12 (Khon Kaen-Chum Phae)
for 14 kilometres then turn left to Highway 2062 (Ban Thum-Mancha Khiri
Road) for another 44 kilometres and get on highway 229 (Mancha
Khiri-Chaiyaphum Road) for 12 kilometres and turn right into the temple, 12
kilometres away.
Amphoe Mancha Khiri Chang Kra Having grown wild over a century ago in Wat Pa Mancha Khiri, over 4,000
Chang Kra orchid-Rhyncostylis gigantean (Lindl.) are in full bloom on the branches of some 280 trees every year during January and February. These
wild orchids always fill the whole area with their mild fragrance.
How to get there: the temple is only a kilometre from downtown Amphoe Mancha Khiri, 57 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. From Bangkok, motorists
can drive via Highway 2 (Mitraphap Road) then turn left to Amphoe Chonnabot, via Highway 229 (Chonnabot-Mancha Khiri). The entrance to the temple is on
the left before reaching Amphoe Mancha Khiri or some 35 kilometres from Mitraphap Road. From Khon Kaen, motorists can go via Highway 2731 and 2062 through Amphoe Phra Yuen.
Sim (ubosot of Wat Sa Thong Ban Bua) This Sim, ordination hall, is architectural heritage of Isan with outstanding local characters. The exterior is decorated with colourful mural
and glass. The Sim houses a rare Isan-style sandstone Buddha image. In 2002, the Sim was awarded a precious architecture, heritage and cultural
conservation of the Asia Pacific by UNESCO.
Tortoise Village
The villagers keep a large amount of tortoises as their mutual pets. The
brownish yellow shelled tortoises, called Tao Phek in local dialect, always
travel around in the village to be fed.
How to get there: from downtown Khon Kaen, motorists can drive via Highway
12 (Khon Kaen Chum Phae) for ten kilometres then turn left to Highway 2062 (Khon
Kaen-Mancha Khiri) for another 54 kilometres. The entrance to the tortoise
village is on the left at Ban Kok, two kilometres prior to Amphoe Mancha
Khiri. It is easy to notice with two tortoise replicas on the roadside
opposite to Wat Si Sumang. Turn left through Ban Kok, the tortoise village
is 50 metres away.
Amphoe Mueang
Art and Cultural Centre
Located in the compound of Khon Kaen University, the Isan barn-style
building features local knowledge in different areas; namely, arts,
geography and history through a modern display. The centre can be accessed
through the Si Than Gate.
Hong Mun Mang or Khon Kaen City Museum
This museum is situated by the Kaen Nakhon Lake in the town.
Hong: means a tower for keeping treasures. Hong Mun Mang is a tower where
accumulated historical articles of Khon Kaen are preserved. It is a museum
which reflects the way of life of Khon Kaen people from the past to the
present.
This museum was established in order to link each community in Khon Kaen
province and to make people feel pride in their community. It is also a
center of study and research on the history of Khon Kaen. There are 5 zones:
Zone 1: Introduction to Khon Kaen province Zone 2: History and Culture of Khon Kaen Zone 3: The founding of the city Zone 4: Towns and lifestyles of Khon Kaen people Zone 5: Khon Kaen Today.
The museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 12 noon - 8.00 p.m. Entrance
fee is 90 baht. For more information please contact The Town Council Office
of Khon Kaen, Prachasamran Road, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province, Tel.0
4327 1173, 04322 4032 during office hours.
Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon
Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon or The 9-storey stupa Located in Wat Nong Waeng, a
royal temple on Klang Mueang Road, the Phra Mahathat houses relics of the
Lord Buddha and important Buddhist scriptures. Doors and windows of the 9
storeys of the stupa are beautifully carved, featuring the life and former
reincarnations of the Lord Buddha, 16 classes of visible deities in the
Brahmas world, and Buddhist rites. Murals within the stupa feature history
of the town. The top floor, on the 9th storey, houses relics of the Lord
Buddha. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the town from there.
Amphoe Nam Phong Ban Khok Sanga king cobras village
King Cobras Village Ban Khok Sa-nga in Tambon Sai Mun is famous for its
strange pets, king cobra, kept at every house. The villagers formally earned
extra income by selling herbal medicines by travelling around through
viillages. By 1951, a local doctor, Ken Yongla initiated a cobra show, which
was successful to attract clients to the village. Anyway, a cobra show was
too dangerous as the snake can spit its poison for two metres making a man
blind. So he changed to conduct the show with a king cobra and inherited
such skill to the villagers.
Today, after the harvest season, with better transportation, villagers of
Khok Sa-nga always travel around to organise a snake show and offer their
herbal medicine. In the village, a snake show is held at Wat Si Thamma,
performing different series of show such as snake dancing and boxing between
king cobra and man. Exhibitions regarding the king cobra as well as nursery
are located nearby.
How to get there: Ban Khok Sa-nga is 49 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen.
Visitors can go via Highway 2 and make a right turn at kilometre 33 to
Highway 2039. At kilometre 14, opposite Phang Thui police box, turn right
onto a soil road. Then keep going through Ban Na Ngam and make a left turn
at the intersection, continue for another 600 metres.
Phrathat Kham Kaen
Located in Wat Chetiyaphum, the Phrathat is believed to be the origin of
Khon Kaen city since ancient times. Phrathat Kham Kaen can be date the 20th
century A.D. According to the legend, a back to king who ruled Mori town in
the Khmer kingdom assigned 9 senior monks to bring relics of the Lord Buddha
to be placed in Phrathat Phanom. On the way, the caravan spent a night here,
setting a camp by the heartwood of a dead tamarind tree. The caravan reached
Nakhon Phanom on the next day just to learn that Phrathat Phanom had already
been completed, so they returned on the same route with a wish to place the
relics at their hometown instead. On the way back, they were surprised to
find the dead tamarind tree buddingly lush. Therefore, they decided to build
a Phrathat here and placed the relics and Buddha images inside, naming
Phrathat Kham Kaen which means the stupa of tamarind heartwood.
The Phrathat is now well renovated and landscaped. A celebration is held
annually on the full moon day of the 6th lunar month. Phrathat Kham Kaen is
12 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. Visitors can get there via Highway
209 (Khon Kaen-Kalasin route). After crossing the Nam Phong River, turn left
and keep going for another 14 kilometres.
Prem Tinsulanonda Military Fort and Hall of Honour
The hall of honour features the biography and achievement of statesman Gen.
Prem Tinsulanonda who devoted himself for developing Thailand in different
areas. Group visitors can contact in prior at the Prem Tinsulanonda Fort,
Tel. 0 4324 9490.
Amphoe Nong Ruea Nam Phong National Park Acquiring a total area of 197 square kilometres, the park covers a large
area in Khon Kaen namely; Nong Ruea, Ubolratana, Phu Wiang, Ban Fang, Mancha Khiri, and Khok Pho Chai as well as two Amphoes in Chaiyaphum provinces, Ban
Thaen and Kaeng Khro.
The park headquarters is located by the lake over Ubolratana Dam. Forest in this national park is watershed of the chi and Phong Rivers. The deciduous
dipterocarp and dry everygreen forests in this mountain range are a major source of herbs. There are viewpoints in the park. Hin Chang Si is a group of rocks, where wild elephants use for scratching their flanks. This point
has a scenic view of the Uboltatana lake and Khon Kaen city. Hin Chang Si viewpoint can be accessed by car, eight kilometres from Sok Tae
Reforestation Park. From the head quarters, walking to Hin Chang Si takes around two hours. Some 30 minutes on foot from Hin Chang Si is Plan Chat
viewpoint. Pha Sawan is another viewpoint from where visitors can witness beautiful scenery of the lake. The cliff is a two-hour walk from the
headquarters. Another interesting attraction in the park is Phon Kham, crater-like rock well. For more information, call Nam Phong National Park at
Tel. 0 4324 8006 or of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department in Bangkok at Tel. 0 2562 0760.
How to get there: Nam Phong National Park can be reached from two routes.
1. From Khon Kaen, go via Highway 12 to Chum Phae District, then turn right at kilometre 30 to Ban PHue for another 19 kilometres via Highway 3034 (Nong
Saeng-Tha Ruea). This route is 49 kilometres.
2. From Khon Kaen, bound for Amphoe Ubolratana via Highway 2, heading for Udon Thani, then turn left to Amphoe Ubolratana. In the Amphoe, use Highway
3034, which lies along the lake over Ubolratana Dam. This route is 65 kilometres long.
Amphoe Nong Song Hong Wat Sa Bua Kaeo
The temple is located at Ban Wang Khun. The mural and sculptural works of
this temple is worth a visit. Crouching guardian lion replicas are on both
sides of the stairway leading up to the Ubosot, ordination hall, with
sculptures of men stretching their legs in front in front. Luangpho Phui,
preceptor of the temple, created all of these sculptures. Murals on four
walls of this concrete ordination hall, both exterior and interior, features
the peoples' lifestyle, history of the Lord Buddha, heaven and hell and
folklore. The pictures are separated by the so-called Sinthao line, a
flash-shape pattern which is widely found in murals from the Ayutthaya and
Rattanakosin periods, not in the Isan region. By the unique brushwork, the
murals mirror freedom of the artist in expressing emotion into the pictures,
trees and animals, like Western impressionists. The favorite colors include
yellow, indigo, red ochre, green, blue and black.
How to get there: From downtown Khon Kaen, visitors can go via Highway 2 (Mitraphap
Road), heading to Amphoe Phon for 75 kilometres, then turn left to Highway
207 bound for Amphoe Nong Song Hong for another 17 kilometres. At kilometre
27-28, turn right at Ban Wang Khun and go ahead for a kilometre.
Amphoe Phu Pha Man
Phu Pha Man National Park
The obvious natural landmark of this park is the towering limestone cliff
that looks like a huge curtain. Lush jungle and mixed forest keep this place
cool almost all the year round. Acquiring a total area of 218,750 rai, the
park covers areas in Amphoe Phu Pha Man and Amphoe Chum Phae of Khon Kaen as
well as Amphoe Phu Kradueng of Loei.
Attractions in this national park include:
Tham KlangKhao The cave is in Phu Pha Man Mountain, 2.5 kilometres from
Amphoe Phu Pha Man. The caves entrance is some 100 metres above ground
level. Inside is the habitat of millions of bats, whose accumulated
droppings cause a strong smell.
Every evening, around 6 pm., these bats always leave the cave in line, over
ten kilometres long. It takes some 30-45 minutes until the last bat leaves
the cave.
Tham Phra Near to Tham Klangkhao, this cave has a natural tunnel sloping up
to the crest of Phu Pha Man, but it is quite difficult to get through. The
cave houses beautiful stalagmites, stalactites, and big stone pillars. The
cave entrance can be accessed by car in any season. Winter, from November to
February, is the best period to visit the cave.
Tham Pu Ta Lo The cave is in Ban Wang Sawap, 17 kilometres from downtown
Amphoe Phu Pha Man. Cars can access to the cave entrance only in the dry
season, from November to April. The cave has a spacious chamber, covering
over a one rai area. With flat soil ground and 5-7 metre high ceiling, good
ventilation allows visitors to enjoy admiring the cave comfortably.
Stalagmites and stalactites remain untouched. Some glittering stones look
like rock crystals.
Namtok Tat Fa Tat Fa creek, natural borderline between Amphoe Phu Pha Man of
Khon Kaen and Amphoe Nam Nao of Phetchabun, cascades through five steps to
form this waterfall. The last step is the most impressive one with a height
of 80 metres. The rainy season, from late May to early October is the best
period to visit the waterfall. Namtok Tat Fa is in Ban Dong Sakhran, Mu 7
Tambon Wang Sawap, some 40 kilometres from downtown Amphoe Phu Pha Man. Cars
can reach Ban Tat Fa, then visitors have to trek to the waterfall.The
headquarters route-From the former route, going through Highway 201.
Namtok Tat Yai The big waterfall originate from Tat Fa Creek. The creek
cascades through small waterfalls before going through a big cliff at 80
metres high. Namtok Tat Yai is the highest waterfall in the park.
Namtok Tat Rong With a height of 60-70 metres, the waterfall originates from
Phong River that runs from Phu Kradueng. The waterfall borders Phu Kradueng
National Park and Phu Pha Man National Park. A folk tale says the waterfall
can sing as water runs upon a piece of thin stone, the falling water veers
off into different rock holes nearby and fills the forest with strange
sounds.
Tham Phaya Nakharat As winding as a giant naga, the one-kilometre long cave
is naturally decorated with glittering curtain-like stalagmites and
stalactites. Cars can access to the cave entrance.
Tham Lai Thaeng Some 800 metres from Tham Phaya Nakharat is tham Lai Thaeng
whose wall has ancient paintings on some two-square metre area. The
paintings contain some 70 pictures of humans, animals, and others, mirroring
culture and life in the pre-historical period dating back to over 2,000
years ago.
The national park has not any accommodation and facility for tourists.
Visitors should prepare everything by themselves. For more information,
please contact the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant
Conservation Department at Tel. 0 2562 0760. www.dnp.go.th
Tham Pu Lup The cave is on Highway 201. Its five chambers are all decorated
with glittering stalagmites and stalactites. The cave contains water the
year round.
Pha Nok Khao The towering cliff of black rock by the Phong River looks like
an owl or Nok khao in Thai. It is 125 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen.
Tourists can get there via Highway 2 and 201 (Khon Kaen-Wang Saphung). Pha
Nok Khao is on the left of Ban Dong Lan. The best location to see the
owl-shape cliff is at the orchid nursery of the Forestry Department on the
other side of the road. There is another nearby place of interest known as
Namtok Tat Ron, or Namtok Tat Hong as it is called by local dialect name.
The 70-matre high waterfall is located in neighboring Loei province on the
boundary of Phu kradueng national Park, Phu Pha Man National Park and the
Phong River. The sound made by the waterfall when cascading onto a huge a
large stone slab beneath is how the waterfall derived its name.
Amphoe Phu Wiang
Buffalo Conservation Village
Supported by the provincial livestock offices, villagers have kept lots of
water buffaloes until the village was honoured as the centre to conserve and
develop Thai water buffalo. For more information, call Nawa Subdistrict
Administration Organisation at Tel. 0 4321 1466.
Pattaya II
The pond acquiring an area of 20 rai is at Ban Nong Kung Soen, 78 kilometres
from Amphoe Mueang. The scenic pond with the backdrop of Phu Phan Mountain
is a nice place where the locals love to relax. Besides delicious freshwater
fish cuisine available around the pond, there are various water sports
tourists can enjoy.
How to get there: from Amphoe Mueang, tourists can get there via Highway 12
and turn right on Highway 2038, continue for another 12 kilometres then turn
right onto Kiatsuranond Road. Go for another 12 kilometres, then turn left
to Ban Kho. Turn another left at Wat sopha Rattana Phatthanaram, go ahead
and make a right turn.
Phu Wiang National Park
This national park always reminds tourists about dinosaurs. Indeed, nobody
had formerly ever though the Isan plateau was once home of dinosaurs. Until
1976 when a uranium survey team discovered a piece of fossil, which was
examined by French specialists and declared that it was a left knee bone of
a dinosaur. After that, serious execration has never ended until now.
On the hill Pratu Ti Ma, which was the first site, geologists have found
fossils of a dinosaur, 15 metres high with a long neck and tail. This is a
kind of plant-eating dinosaur never found else where before, so it was named
Phuwiangosaurus Sirindhornae to honour H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
In this site, over ten teeth of a meat-eating dinosaur have also been found.
So geologists and scientists presumed that the long-necked dinosaur was prey
for these teeths owner. Among these teeths, one is different. After a study,
scientist found that it belonged to a new species of dinosaur never found
before. So it was named Siamosaurus Suteethorni after the discoverer, Mr.
Warawuth Suteethorn.
All the three sites are not far from the headquarters, and tourists can also
visit the second and third sites nearby.
Fossils of Siamotyrannus Isanensis found here are the oldest ones, dating
back 120-130 million years. This indicates that tyrannosaurus originated in
Asia. These fossils are now displayed in the museum of the Department of
Mineral Resources.
At the 8th site, there are 68 footprints of dinosaurs, dating back 140
million years ago. Most of them belong to the world's smallest species of
meat-eating dinosaur, which walked on two legs. Among such footprints, there
is one bigger footprint, assumed to belong to Carnosaurus.
These sites are 19 kilometres from the headquarters. It takes an hour to get
there by car and four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. In many sites,
geologists found fossils of dinosaur babies, small crocodiles and mussels
dating back to 150 million years ago.
Besides fossils of dinosaurs, there are also traces of ancient civilizations
in this area including a high relief of the reclining Buddha on the cliff,
at the crest of Phu Wiang Mountain. The Buddha image was carved in the 9th
century, mirroring an influence from Indian art. Nearby is Tham Famue Daeng,
Dang, or Red Palm Cave, at Ban Hin Rong. The cave wall houses prehistoric
paintings of cavemen's hands from sprays of red ochre.
Natural attractions in the park include waterfalls and field of wild
flowers. Namtok Thap phaya Suea is a small waterfall near to Tham Famue
Daeang. Namtok Tat Fa is a 15-metre high waterfall that can be accessed by
car. The waterfall is 18 kilometres from Amphoe Phu Wiang. Some 5 kilometres
from Namtok Tat Fa is Namtok Tat Klang which is a 8-metre high waterfall.
Savanna and rock plateaus are always blanketed with wild flowers in full
bloom by the end of the rainy season.
Phu Wiang National Park acquires a total area of 380 square kilometres in
Amphoe Si Chomphu and Amphoe Chum Phae.
How to get there: from downtown Khon Kaen, visitors can get there via
Highway 12 and connect to Highway 2038, bound for Amphoe Phu Wiang. From
Amphoe Phu Wiang, talk the Phu Wiang-Ban Muaeng Mai Road, passing the
national park unit, Pak Chong Phu Wiang at kilometre 23. Turn left at
kilometre 30 at Ban Pho Reservoir and the national parks headquarters is 8
kilometres away. The headquarters features an exhibition about the dinosaurs
and fossils found in the area. For group tourists requiring a guide, contact
the headquarters in advance at Tel. 0 4324 9052.
Amphoe Pueai Noi Prasat Pueai Noi Prasat Pueai Noi is the largest Khmer sanctuary in the upper Northeast. The compound comprises 3 brick buildings built on the same laterite base. All face to the east. Each pagoda has a sandstone lintel with designs. Each pagoda has a smaller chapel and a lintel with clear, lovely designs. A laterite wall surrounds the compound and there is a pool just beyond it. From Khon Kaen, take Highway No. 2 for 44 kilometres to Ban Phai, then take Highway No. 23 for 11 kilometres to Borabu district, then take a right-hand road for 24 kilometres to Ku Pueai Noi.
Amphoe Ubolratana Bang Saen II and Hat Chom Thong The beaches are in Ban Hin Phoeng, Tambon Tha Ruea, 53 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. As part of the lake over Ubolratana Dam, the beaches are quite picturesque particularly when the sun sets behind the mountain ranges. There are various water sports available such as water bicycle, banana boat, and scooter. Visitors can enjoy fish a menu of freshly caught from the lake.
During the holidays, the beaches are always quite lively.
Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park
The park acquires a total area of 320 square kilometres or 201,250 rai, in
Amphoe Ubolratana and Amphoe Non Sang of Nong Bua Lam Phu province. Most
area is deciduous dipterocarp forest, which always changes its hue by early
November. The national park headquarters at Phu Phan Kham by the lake has a
picturesque sunset view. Camping ground is available. The attractions in the
park include traces of a pre-historical community of the same period as Ban
Chiang such as cave paintings and carvings footprints of dinosaurs that are
presumed to be the same species as those found in Phu Wiang.
How to get there: from Khon Kaen, head for Ubolratana Dam until reaching
Ubolratana Market 50 kilometres away. Then go via the Ubolratana-Non Sang
Road, the park headquarters is 6 kilometres away. Motorists can also reach
the park through the Udon Thani-Loei Road, then go through Amphoe Non Sang
and get onto the Sok Chan-Ubolratana Dam Road. Bus on the route Ubolratana
Dam-Non Sang also reach the park. The buses leave from Ubolratana Market.
Ubolratana dam
Ubolratana dam is the largest multi-purpose dam in the Northeast. To get
there, take Highway No. 2 (Khon Kaen-Udon Thani) for 26 kilometres, turn
left and drive for 24 kilometres. The dam is across the Phong river at the
pass connecting Phu Kao and Phu Phan mountains. The view at the dam is
magnificent. Tourists regularly frequent the area to look at the lake and
sample local delicacies, including the famous grilled fish famous here.
Festivals
Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival
Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival is held during April 13-15 every year at Bung
Kaen Nakhon. The day starts with merit making, followed by pouring holy
water on Buddha images, local dramatic arts, floral cart procession,
northeastern food contest, boat race in Bung Kaen Nakhon, and shops selling
a variety of products.
Silk and Phuk Sieo Festival
Silk and Phuk Sieo Festival is held annually on 29 November-10 December at
the front area of Khon Kaen town hall. The main events are the display of
the local silk and its contest and I-san making friend tradition called Phuk
Sieo. Pha Laeng, a wonderful I-san dinner is also available.
