Nong Khai is a tourist city on the bank of the Mekong Bordering the Lao People's Democratic Republic.  It is the gateway to Vientiane which is only 20 kilometres away.

   Nong Khai is 615 kilometres form Bangkok and has an area of 7,739 square kilometres.  It consists of the following districts:  Muang, bung Kan, Phon Phisai, Tha Bo, Sang Kan, Phon Phisai, Tha Bo, Sangkhom, Seka, So Phisai, Si Chiang Mai, Phon Charoen, Pak Khat, Bung Khong Long, Si wilai, Bung Khla, Sa Khral, rattana Wapi, Fao Rai and Pho Tak.

ATTRACTIONS

AMPHOE MUANG

   Wat Pho Chai  is in Nong Khai town.  The temple houses Luang Pho Phra Sai, a beautiful gold Buddha image most sacred in the provice.

   Phra That Bang Phuan  is at Ban Don Mu., 11 kilometres from town on the Nong Khai-Udon Thani road, then a road on the right onto Highway No. 211 to Tha Bo for 10 kilometres.  This old pagoda is 34 metres high and houses the holy relics of Lord Buddha.  It underwent  major renovation in 1976 because the original fired brick pagoda collapsed.  The temple still has the old pagoda, temple boundary markers and an ancient stone inscription.  Furthermore, there is an ancient pool from which water was once used in blessing past city lords.

   Tha Sadet   is the port for crossing the Mekong River to Tha Dua in Laos.  There is a market for Indochinese and eastern European products, as well as the province's local goods

   Foreign tourists wishing to visit Laos from Nong Khai must obtain a visa from the Lao Embassy in Bangkok in advance and can use the services of a number of tour operators in Nong Khai.

   Chom Mani Beach  is on the Mekong River.  The beach appears during the dry season in April.  It is 2 kilometres from town.  The locals and tourists enjoy a day out here.

   Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge  spans the Mekong from Thailand into Tha Na Laeng in Laos.  Visitors can then continue to Vientiane 20 kilometres away.

   Sala Kaeo Ku  is full of strange statues according to the belief of a defunct sect.  It is 3 kilometres from on the way to Phon Phisai.

AMPHOE THA BO

   Luang Pho Phra Chao Ong Tu   is at Wat Kosi in Ban Nam Mong at Km. 31 of Highway No. 211, 43 kilometres from Amphoe Muang.  This Buddha image is 4 metres high and is made of gold, bronze and silver.  It is the work of craftsmen from northern Thailand and Lan Chang.  Built by Phra Chaiyachettha of Vientiane in 1562, the image is revered by Thais and Laos.

   From Nong Khai town to Tha Bo, visitors can see villagers farm tobacco along the road paralleling the Mekong.  Moreover, visitors can see villagers make Kayo (a flour sheet for Vietnamese food) and some villages raising freshwater fish.

AMPHOE SI CHIANG MAI

   Wat Hin Mak Peng  - on the bank of the Mekong is Ban Thai Charoen at Km. 64 of Highway No. 211, around 75 kilometres from Amphoe Muang.  The temple used to be the residence of Luang Pu Thet Thetrangsi, a monk with followers nationwide.  Many Buddhists come here to meditate.

AMPHOE SANGKHOM

   Than Thong Waterfall  is in Ban Pha Tang at Km. 74 of Highway No. 211, 11 kilometres before arriving in Sangkhom district office and 83 kilometres from Amphoe Muang.  The waterfall is 30 metres high and falls down to the Mekong.  Below is a large pool suitable for swimming.  There is water only in the rainy season.

   Than Thip Waterfall  is at Ban Tat Some in Tambon Ban Muang at Km. 97 on Highway No. 211, then take a left for 2 kilometres.  This three-level waterfall is 30 metre-high,  70 metre-high and 100 metre-high, respectively.  It is at its most beautiful in the rainy season.

AMPHOE SI WILAI

   Phu Thok   is a sandstone mountain 200 metres high standing all alone in Ban Kham Khaen is Tambon Na Sabaeng.  The monk Phra Achan Chuan Kunchetteo established a meditation centre here by constructing wooden stairs from the foot of the mountain winding along the cliff face to the summit.  It took more than 5 years to build.  Along the way, visitors can see many interesting spots, like the rock formation that is like a tunnel, a cave and the cliff. In addition, they can enjoy the magnificent view from high up.  To get to Phu Thok from Nong Khai, take High way No. 212 past Pho Chai, Pak Khat and Bung Kan, then take a right onto highway No. 222 to Si Wilai and to Phu Thok, totaling 185 kilometres.

AMPHOE BUNG KAN

   Phu Wus Wildlife Preserve  is 12 kilometres from Phu Thok.  It covers an area of over 180 square kilometres near the Mekong and the Thai-Lao border.  Places of interest here are Chet Si waterfall, Chanaen waterfall, Tham Phra waterfall, and Tham Fun waterfall.

   To get there from Nong Khai, take Highway No. 212 to Bung Kan for 135 kilometres and then the road past Ban Chaiyaphon, Phu Sawat, Bung Khla, and Don Chik for 55 kilometres to the reserve office.

EVENTS

   Bang Fai Phaya Nak  is a natural phenomenon.  A fireball is seen rising up from the Mekong on the night at the end of the Buddhist  lent.  The fireball is visible from Phon Phisai and Rattanawapi.  This spectacle is watched by a great number of people.  A friendship boat race between Thailand and Laos is also staged during this time.

LOCAL PRODUCTS

   On Rim Khong Road in the town are stores selling lots of local goods and souvenirs such as hand-woven clothes, basketry, silverware, foodstuffs, and imports from Laos.