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.
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 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 Uhonrat Dam – Non Sang route. the park covers a total area of 320 square km. or 201.250 rai of Amphoe Uhonrat, Khon Kaen Province and Amphoe Non Sang. Nong Bua Lam Phu. It was established as a national park on September20,1985. 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 a jungle trip, 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 he studied from paintings in a cave.
Chonnabot Silks manufactured in Amphoe Chonnahot. 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 localy 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 sanctury built of laterite I and sandstone. The structure is distinguished by exquisite designs on (loot frames and walls. 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, potsherds, and skeletons of ancient people were unearthed here. All discoveries imply that the site was once a habitation area that can he traced back to pre-historic town up to Lop Buri Period, about 600 years ago.
Phu Wiang Nationl Park covers some 75,000 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.
Pha Nok Khao is a strangely-shaped mountain on the boundary of Amphoe Chum Phae in Khon Kaen and Amphoe Phn Kradung in Loci.
Tham Pha Phuang Forest Perk is some 120 kilometers from town on the Khon Kaen – Chum Phae highway, with and four kilometers on a side road to the Park. The cave itself can he visited by walking form the parking area to the other side of the hill where the entrance is located.
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 planned activities include Thida Mai or Miss Silk procession, exhibition on the promotion of silk products. A variety of local entertainments is also planned.
How to get there?
Bangkok-Khonkaen
There are many choices of transportant from Bangkok to Khonkaen.
By car : The journey from Bangkok to Khon Kaen will take you approximately 6 hours doing an average speed of around 80 kilometres an hour. From Bangkok, take highway number 1 to Saraburi and then highway number 2 to Khon Kaen via Nakhon Ratchasima. This journey, as detailed, is a total distance of about 450 kilometres
By Bus : If you are thinking of travelling to Khon Kaen by bus, you are in luck, as there are several daily bus servics departing from Bangkok’s Morchit 2 Bus Terminal to Khon Kaen. For more detailed information, you may telephone Transport Co. Ltd at tel: 02 936 2852-66
By Plane : There are flies Thai Airways from Bangkok to Khon Kaen every day. It take time about 45 minutes, thus saving a lot of time as opposed to road travel, while fares are reasonable. Telephone Thai Airways on 02 280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or visit the website http://www.thaiairways/. com for more information.
By train : Regular passenger trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station bound for the capital of the Isaan, Khon Kaen, every day. Call 02 223 7010-20 for more information.
