| KHON KAEN |
Khon Kaen was established in 1783 in the heart of Thailand's Northeastern plateau. It is famous for its local fascinating culture and archaeological and historic sites such as : the paintings in Fa Mue Daeng cave, the local town in the Davaravati period at Ban Non Muang Amphoe Chumpae and Ku Puai Noi or That Ku Thong, the biggest perfected sandstone shrine in Amphoe Puai Noi
Nowadays there are not only the interesting natural places and historic sites in Khon Kaen but there is also the largest university in Northeast, Khon Kean University. Moreover, there are fascinating cultures and traditions including the quality local product such as; a beautiful Thai silk in Amphoe Chonnabot awarded by the National Culture Office as an Asian heritage in th national local products contest at Chaing Mai.
Khon Kean is administratively divided into 20 Amphoes and 5 King Amphoes, they are: Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Phuwiang, Amphoe Chumpae, Amphoe Mancha Khiri, Amphoe Nong Rua, Amphoe Kranuan, Amphoe Nong Song Hong, Amphoe Chonnabot, Amphoe Sri Chompoo, Amphoe Waeng Noi, Amphoe Ubonrat, Amphoe Ban Fang, Amphoe Waeng Yai, Amphoe Kao Suan Kwang, Amphoe Phra Yeun, Amphoe Puai Noi, Amphoe Phu Phaman, King Amphoe Nong Na Kham, King Amphoe Ban Haed, King Amphoe Som Sung, King Amphoe Non Sila and King Amphoe Khok Phoe Chai. Khon Kaen occupies an area of 10,855,991 square kilometers. A number of population are about 1,738,532 (31/12/1998). Nowadays Khon Kaen has been developed in many areas to be the business center of Indochina region.Khon Kaen is about 445 Kilometers away from Bangkok
How to get Khon Kaen
From Bangkok, there are two main routes to Khon Kaen ; highway No. 1 Bangkok-Sara Buri-Nakhon Ratchasima Khon Kaen and the other Bangkok-Sara Buri-Lam Narai-Muang Khom-Dan Khun Thot-Chaiyaphum-Khon Kaen or Sara Buri-Lamnarai-Amphoe Thep Sathit-Chaiyaphum-Amphoe Mancha Khiri-Amphoe Phra Yeun-Khon Kaen
There are three ways of transportation to Khon Kaen :
By bus : There are ordinary buses operating from Bangkok to Khon Kaen several trips a day. More detailed information can be obtained from the Northeastern Bus Terminal, tel. 02-9360691 for ordinary bus and 02-9361379 for air-conditioned bus in Bangkok. Contact with the Khon Kaen bus terminal tel.043-237300 for ordinary bus and 043-239910 for air-conditioned bus in Khon Kaen
By train : There are ordinary and express trains from Bangkok railway station to Khon Kaen ( Bangkok-Saraburi-Kaengkoi-Pakchong-Nakhon Ratchasima-Buayai-Muangphon-Ban Pai-Khon Kaen. More information can be obtained from Bangkok railway station tel.02-2237010 and 2237020, in Khon Kaen tel. 043-221112
By airplane : Thai domestic airline operates four flights a day from Bangkok to Khon Kaen in 45 minutes. More information can be obtained from Thai Airway Bangkok tel. 02-2820070-80, 2800060 or 6282000 and in Khon Kaen tel. 043-236523 or 238835
The transportation service in town :
The regular bus service to the suburbs from 05.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The price depends on its distance.
Amphoe = District / King Amphoe = Sub District
ATTRACTIONS
Amphoe Muang
The Khon Kaen National Museum
The museum is located on Kasi Khorn Thungsang road surrounding with the big trees as a relaxing area of the people in Khon Kaen. This museum contains the collections of artifacts such as a large number of fascinating stone Sema from Fa Dad Song Yang (the old town in Kalasin province) around the musuem to show its former power in Davaravati period, a large collection of the former skeleton and the artifacts in Ban Chiang period. There are two floors in the musuem: the ground floor demonstrating the stories in Pre-History, Ban Chiang New Stone period and the civilization of Muang Fa Dad Song Yang kalasin in Davaravati period and Nakhon Cham Pasri, a former name of Maha Sarakham province in Davaravati period.
The second floor contains the artifacts in Lop Buri period found in I-San such as statues, pottery, arts and paintings and the stone Sema from Fa Dad Song Yang
In the middle of second floor contains of "Thap Lang" a flat sandstone of sand the shrine in I-San and the collections of arts and cultural heritages from the center of Thailand in Ayutthaya and Sukhothai period.
It operates in an official working day.
The fee = 10 baht (Thai people)
= 30 baht (foreigner)
Khon Kaen University
It is the biggest center of the educational institute in I-San established in 1964 to provide the public with bachelor's and Master's degree in various fields focusing on the local needs. Its is located on the hill with the wonderful nature named "Mor Din Daeng" to the northwest of the city. It occupies about 5,000 rai. (2,000 acre)
Bung Kaen Nakhon (Kaen Nakhon Lake)
The large and old lake occupies 600 rai. It is one of the popular lakeside recreation center for relaxing and foofstalls selling popular Isan foods, "Som Tam" (spicy raw papaya salad) and "Kai Yang" (charcoalgrilled domestic chicken) and having a picnic on Nikhon Samran road. There are the big trees both side of the road around the lake. Moreover, There are the facilities around the lakeside such as children playground, local restaurants, picnic areas and the wonderful twilight and including Thoa Pear Muang Paen monument who established Khon Kaen.
Sarn Chao Po Theparak Lak Muang
It is a religious place containing "Lak Sila Charuek" a written large flat stone from Amphoe Chumpae, and was built in Phra Ratchasarntham Munee, a former governor and Luang Turanai Pinich on August 20, 1986. It is on Thepa Rak Street in front of the municipality office.
Amphoe Nam Pong (The highway No. 209, 2183)
Phra That Khamkaen
It is 26 kilometers away from Khon Kaen. It is a very old historic shrine containing the Buddha ash and the Buddha scriptures named "Boworn Hakhun". There is an annual festival year in the full moon of Jone.
Ku Pra Phachai (Ku Ban Na Kham Noi)
It is located in Ban Nakham Noi, Tambon Buayai, Amphoe Nam Pong. Ku Ban Na Kham Noi is the group of historic shrines used as the old hospital buildings in Pra Choa Chaiworamon 7th which was established In century 18 th (1720-1780) It consists of Prang Prathan, a main square shrine called "Bannalai" surrounding with the glass wall. There is only one entrance in the east. It has been registered as a national heritage on March 8, 1935
The King Cobra village
It is very well know for the exciting king cobra performance and the interesting way of feeding at Ban Khok Sa-Nga Thambon Saimoon Amphoe Nampong. The king cobra performance started in 1951 by Mr.Ken Yongla, an old style pharmacist. He used the king cobra performance to attract the villagers to buy his products, the herbs. The king cobra performance such as boxing man vs.the king cobra.
How to get the king cobra village
It is In Ban Khok Sa-Nga 49 kilometers away from Khon Kaen. Go along the high way (Khon Kaen-Udon) and turn right at the 33 kilometers in the way to Amphoe Kranuan (The highway No. 2039) for 14 kilometers and turn right, you will get Ban Khok Sa-Nga.
Amphoe Ubonrat (The highway No. 2,2109)
The Ubonrat dam is in Amphoe Ubonrat 50 kilometers away from Khon Kaen. The beautiful biggest dam in the northeast was being built in 1956-1958 for multi purposes such as generating electricity, farming, fishing, preventing the flood and including water traveling. The occupying 102,400 acre dam becomes the wonderful relaxing and picnic area.
Phu Kao National Park (Phu Kao Phu Phan Kham National park)
It is located between Amphoe Ubonrat Khon Kaen and Amphoe Nonsang Udon Thani province 56 kilometers away from Khon Kaen. It occupies 320 square kilometers. It was opened officially as a national park on September 20, 1985. Most of the area are covered with evergreen trees, wonderful natural scenery. It is suitable for hiking and camping. It also provides you with the evidence of the civilized community in Ban Chiang period such as the old paintings on the wall of the cave.
How to get there
From Khon Kaen , go along Khon Kaen-Ubonrat highway and turn right at Ubonrat market in Ubonrat-Nonsang highway. Go straight ahead for 6 kilometers, you'll see the national park. On the other way, go along Udon Thani-Loei to Amphoe Nonsang, Nong Baulampoo province, then turn right in Sok Chan-Ubonrat street, go along the street for 54 kilometers, you will see the Phu Kao Phu Phan Kham National park.
Amphoe Phuwiang (The highway No. 12, 2033)
Phu Phaman
It is 2 kilometers away to the north of Amphoe Phu Phaman. It contains the rock garden and the other side is the 300 - meter steeply cliff (520 sea level). There are some wild animals such as monkey, pig and deer and also the interesting caves such as Khang Khoa cave (a bat cave) , Pra cave, and Tiger cave.
Tad Fa waterfall
Tad Fa waterfall is between Amphoe Phu Phaman Khon Kaen province and Amphoe Nam Noau Petchabun Province. It is 40 kilometers away from Amphoe Phu Phaman. It cannot be accessed by car. It is a beautiful 5-level waterfall with 80-meter height.
Khang Khoa cave (a bat cave)
It is located above the steeply cliff 2.5 kilometers away from Amphoe Phu Phaman. There are millions of bats staying in this cave and this area provides you with a wonderful twilight view and a wonderful picnic area.
The Developing Dong Lan Project
It is located in Ban Wang Swarp 14 kilometers away from Amphoe Phu Phaman. The convenient resorts and the meeting hall are available for the tourist surrounding with the beautiful flowers and fine weather. The weather is very cold in December and most of the area is covered with fog and mist in the morning. It is also suitable for camping.
Amphoe Mancha Khiri (The highway No. 12, 2062 )
Wat Udom Khong Kha Khiri Khet
From Khon Kaen, go along the high way No.12 or 2062 to Mancha Khiri, and turn right in the high way No. 2149 ( Kaengkhro-Chaiyaphum ) for 13 kilometers and go along the high way No. 2284 for 3 kilometers. You will see the temple. It is located on the hillside surrounding with the beautiful nature and the flowing stream through out the year. The golden roof and the lavishly decorated door of the shrine are very attractive. Furthermore, the interesting demonstration of Luang Poo Pang , a revered I-San Buddhist ecclesiastic is in one part of the museum in the shrine.
The Turtle Village
Go along Khon Kaen-Chumpae the high way No. 12 for 10 kilometers and turn left in the high way No. 2062 (Khon Kaen-Mancha Khiri ) to Ban Kok for 54 kilometers , You will see many "Tao Peg" , one kind of the turtles found in I-san with brown-yellow cover waiting for food from the tourists or villagers.
Amphoe Chonnabot (The highway No. 2, 229 )
Pa Mai Madmee ( a local distinctive tied and dyed silk )
Pa Mai Madmee is the well-kown local product in Amphoe Chonnabot 54 kilometers away from Khon Kaen. The tourists are able to see the exhibition of Mad Mee production and also buy the beautiful products from Pa Mai Mad Mee. The tourists can get there by the highway No. 2 ( Khon Kaen-Nakhon Ratchasima ) and turn left at Ban Phai to Chonnabot road for 11 kilometers.
Sala Mai Thai ( Thai silk exhibition Hall )
It is located in Khon Kaen Industrial and Community Edication College Amphoe Chonnabot , It is a center of preserved and promoted I-san Thai silk supported by The Queen , Sirikit. This 2 - storey building contains the display of a beautiful Thai silk and the silk products which won the silk contest. The second floor is used to demonstrate the process of Mad Mee silk production and implements used in the ancient time.
How to get there Go along the highway No. 2 Khon Kaen-Nakhon Ratchasima for 44 kilometers and turn right at Ban Phai intersection to Chonnabot for 11 kilometers, Sala Mai Thai is on your left opposite "Kong Kaew Reservoir". It is opened everyday. You can obtain more information at The Khon kaen Industrial and Community Education College tel. 043-286160, 286218 Fax. 043-286031
Amphoe Puai Noi (The highway No. 2, 24, 2301, 2297)
Ku Paui Noi ( Pra That Kuthong )
It is the largest khmer style shrine in Khon Kaen or upper part of the northeast 79 kilometers away from Khon Kaen. Three brick pagodas, the lateral palaces with beautifully carved door are fascinating.
How to get there From Khon Kaen go along the high way No. 2 ( Khon Kaen-Ban Phai ) for 44 kilometers and then turn left at Ban Phai intersection into Ban Phai-Borabue road (the high way No. 2301 ). Go along this road for 11 kilometers and turn right to the road No. 2297 to Amphoe Paui Noi for 24 kilometers way.
Amphoe Nong Song Hong (The highway No. 2, 207 )
Wat Sa Bau Kaew ( Sa Bau Kaew Temple )
It is located in Ban Wang Khun Amphoe Nong Song Hong. Its fascinating paintings and sculptures attracts the tourists. The interesting paintings on the wall of the church tell about the way of humans live. The paintings can indicate a freedom of the Thai artists in painting like the western artists in Impressionist period.
How to get there Go along the highway No. 2 Khon Kaen-Amphoe Phon to Amphoe Phon for 75 kilometers and turn left into the high way No 207 to Amphoe Nong Song Hong for 17 kilometers and turn right at Ban Wang Khun , go ahead for a kilometer.
EVENTS
Dok Khoon Siang khaen Flower Festival
It is held on 11-15 April annually at Bung Kaen Nakhon The main events are Tham Boon ( religious rites and merit-making ), facinating logal dancing and music, the colorful flower procession and its beauty contest.
Wat Phra That Kham Kaen (an annually paying a respect Phra That Khamkaen )
It is held on 15 June ( a full-moon day ) at Wat Jetiyaphum. The major events are the exhibition of a local art and local dancing and music.
A Silk and Phuk Seui ( making friend ) Festival and Red Cross Fair
It 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 including Phook Sieo (I-San making friend tradition ) , both main events are to preserve and promote the original culture and traditions. Moreover, Pa Laeng , a wonderful I-San dinner is also available.