Nong Khai Province (Jangwat Nong Khai) is located within the North-Eastern Isaan Region of Thailand and covers an area of 7,332 Sq km. To the south, Nong Khai neighbours the provinces of (from west to east) Loei(202km), Udon Thani(51km), Sakon Nakhon(210km) and Nakhon Phanom(303km). The northern boundary of Nong Khai Province, formed by the Mekong River (Mae Nam Kong), is 320 km long and also represents the border between Thailand and Laos.
The Province of Nong Khai consists of 17 districts (amphoe), 115 subdistricts (tambon) and 1099 villages (ban).
Districts and their distances from Nong Khai
1. Mueang Nong Khai
2. Sakhrai (27km)
3. Tha Bo (42km)
4. Si Chiang Mai (57km)
5. Pho Tak (71km)
6. Sangkhom (95km)
7. Phon Phisai (45km)
8. Fao Rai (71km)
9. Rattanawapi (71km)
10. So Phisai (90km)
11. Pak Khat (90km)
12. Bueng Kan (136km)
13. Phon Charoen (182km)
14. Si Wilai (163km)
15. Seka (224km)
16. Bung Khla (181km)
17. Bueng Khong Long (238km)
Nong Khai Town
Nong Khai town (the provincial capital), 615km North of Bangkok, sits on the Mekong River and is only 25km from Vientiane, the Capital of Laos. In fact, Nong Khai is also the busiest border crossing point to Laos due to the “First Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge” which was opened on April 8, 1994. It had been constructed at a cost of around US$30million, funded by the Australian government as development aid to Laos. The official name of the bridge was changed with the addition of “First” after the “Second Laos-Thai Friendship Bridge” was opened further south in January 2007, linking Thailand’s Mukdahan province with Lao’s Savannakhet Province.
Since opening, the First Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge had just been a road link between Laos and Thailand. That changed on March 5th 2009, however, with the formal inauguration of the Nong Khai to Vientiane Rail link by Her Majesty Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, second daughter of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. It means that there is now a twice daily rail service from Nong Khai to Vientiane, making the journey from Nong Khai to the Laotian Capital all the more effortless. This rail link is also the first major operational railway anywhere in Laos, although a short portage line once existed.
Despite it’s busy border point, Nong Khai town is peaceful with a very laid back atmosphere. Many visitors initially only intend to call in to Nong Khai in transit to Laos, but find themselves captivated by it’s relaxing ambiance and decide to extend their stay and find themselves coming back to this small, friendly town again and again. Many visitors go one step further and decide to make Nong Khai their home. In fact, Nong Khai was named “7th best Retirement Destination in the World” by “Retirement America”. Once you visit this delightful town, it is easy to see why.
Attraction
Tha Sadet Market – The Indochina Market
A large covered market running along side the Mekong River selling goods imported from throughout the Indochina region and beyond.
Mueang Nong Khai Sala_Kaeo_Ku – The Sculpture Park
A unique and spectacular temple complex containing over 100 giant scultures, some over 25m tall, depicting icons of all major religions.
Mueang Nong Khai Friendship Bridge
The main border crossing point joining Thailand to Laos.
Mueang Nong Khai Wat Pho Chai
Nong Khai’s most important temple, containing the Luangpho Phra Sai – a revered image of the Buddha cast from gold.
Mueang Nong Khai Phra That Nong Khai – The Sunken Pagoda
The remains of a chedi which fell into the river in 1849 as a result of river bank errosion. Now only visible in the dry season, in the middle of the river.
Mueang Nong Khai Phra That Bang Phuan
One of the most sacred sites in the Isaan Region, in the North-East of Thailand, not least because this ancient pagoda is said to contain some of the Lord Buddha’s bones.
Mueang Nong Khai Jom Manee Beach
Yes, Nong Khai has a beach! You’ll find it 2km west of town, beneath the Friendship Bridge between January and June.
Mueang Nong Khai Prap Ho Monument
Located in front of the old city hall, the Prap Ho monument is a memorial to those who fell during the Hau rebellion, and in fact contains their cremated bones.
Tha Bo Luang Pho Ong Tue
Located in Wat Si Chomphu Ong Tue in Ban Nam Mong village, 43km from Nong Khai, Luang Pho Ong Tue is the largest image of the Buddha in Nong Khai Province. Standing at 4 metres tall, it is believed to date from 1562 and is cast from an alloy of Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Tha Bo Tobacco Making Village
The villagers have tobacco plantations on the fertile plains next to the Mekong river. After harvesting, the tobacco is sun dried on bamboo racks. An ideal place for a days cycling, you’ll find beautiful scenery, and see the traditional way of farming used.
How to get there
Car
Nong Khai is located at the Northern end of Highway 2, 615km from Bangkok. If leaving from Bangkok, take Highway 1, heading North, to Saraburi where Highway 2 begins. From Saraburi, follow Highway 2 passing Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen and finally Udon Thani before reaching Nong Khai. Journey times will obviously vary depending on your driving! However, the road to Nong Khai is of good quality and dual lane in each direction for nearly all of the route. The road bypasses most of the major towns enroute, which reduces delays from town traffic conjestion.
Bus
There are regular daily bus services operated by The Transport Company Limited, both ordinary and airconditioned, which leave from Bangkok’s Mo Chit 2 (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal and take about 9 hours. For further enquiries you can contact the Mo Chit Buse Terminal directly on 02 936 2852-66, or the Nong Khai Bus station (located just of the main Prajak Road) on 042 411 582. Alternatively
Train
Bangkok – Nong Khai
Nong Khai is the most northern station on Thailand’s ‘Northeastern Line’. The State Railway of Thailand has a number of daily train services from Bangkok, during both day and also night with sleeper trains, all of which take about 12 hours.
Prices vary from 258Baht for third class, sitting on wooden benches to 1,217Baht for an airconditioned first class sleeper bed in a private cabin. Our reccommendation would be a 2nd class sleeper which costs between 488Baht and 778Baht depending on whether you want an upper or lower bunk and air conditioned carriage or fan carriage.
These trains also make stops at the major towns of Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Saraburi enroute, as well as a number of smaller stations.
Nong Khai – Vientiane
The rail link between Nong Khai and Tha Nalaeng (near Vientiane, Laos) was officially opened on 5th March 2009. There are two services per day departing from Nong Khai at 10:00 and 16:20, and returning from Tha Nalaeng at 11:00 and 17:05.
Although this service uses the same trains that come from Bangkok, tickets are only available from Nong Khai Station itself. If travelling from Bangkok to Vientiane you will need to get off the train at Nong Khai, buy your ticket and pass through an immigration checkpoint before boarding the train again. The overnight train 69 from Bangkok gets in to Nong Khai at about 08:30, so you would have a wait of about 90 minutes before catching to 10:00 train to Laos.
If travelling directly from Laos to Bangkok, the best option would be the 17:05 from Nalaeng to Nong Khai, and then the 18:20 train 70 from Nong Khai to Bangkok.
For further information about all rail services and reservations, you can call the 24hr information service on 1690, or:
Bangkok office: 02 220 4334, 02 220 4444
Nong Khai Railway Station: 042 411 582
Alternatively, visit www.railway.co.th where you can check and download current timetables and fares.
Plane
Although Nong Khai does not have it’s own airport, the airport at Udon Thani is about 55km away. A transfer from the airport to Nong Khai takes about 40 minutes and costs about 100Baht for a shared private minibus, or about 700Baht for a private taxi. Alternatively, a scheduled bus service is available.
As is usual with air travel, prices can vary from one day to the next. However, expect to pay between 1,300Baht and 4,000Baht for a return trip. Being a premium carrier, Thai Airways will generally be the more expensive option, but not always. When booking, be sure to check which Bangkok Airport the flight departs from/ arrive at – Don Meuang (the old, mainly domestic, airport) or Suvarnabhumi (the new international airport). You can get bus or taxi transfers between the two Bangkok airports if needed for onward connections, which take about 30 minutes to an hour.
Thank : nongkhaiinformation.com
