Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) is a city and province in Isaan, Thailand.
While various artefacts have been found in the region that hint at its dinosaur era and early human inhabitants, what we know today as Khon Kaen came into being when the ancient Khmer empire expanded into the area in the 12th century. The current town was established a little over two centuries ago during the reign of King Rama I.
In addition to being a university town, Khon Kaen is a historic centre of silk production. In Chonnabot, Mudmee silk is delicately woven by hand and then tie-dyed.
- Bung (Lake) Kaen Nakhon. Occupying an area of 603 rai (96 hectares), the lake is in the town's southeast quadrant. By the lake is a monument of Chao Phia Mueang Phaen, founder of Khon Kaen. The shady park around the lake decorated with sculptures attracts many visitors.
- City Pillar Shrine. A famous monk and former governor of Khon Kaen placed a stone inscription from an ancient site in Chum Phae here for a Buddhist rite and set up the city pillar shrine.
- Khon Kaen National Museum, +66 43 246170. Daily, 09:00-16:00. exhibits antiques and precious art pieces from pre-historical periods as well as a skeleton of the New Stone Age man and tools found at Ban Chiang. Interesting exhibits include stone lintels from Khmer ruins in the region as well as art from other periods, namely the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, and native tools. These exhibits deepen knowledge of the history, archaeology, and the lifestyles of Isaan. Admission, 30 baht.
- Khon Kaen University. On the hill called "Mo Din Daeng" on a 5,000 rai plot of land, the university is the largest educational centre in Isaan.
* Art and Cultural Centre. the Isaan barn-style building displays local arts, geography, and history. The centre can be accessed through the Si Than Gate.
- Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon (The 9-storey stupa). A royal temple, 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 incarnations of the Lord Buddha, 16 classes of visible deities in the Brahma’s world, and Buddhist rites. Murals within the stupa feature the 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.
- Sim Isan (Wat Pa Saeng Arun). Sim Isaan, a term for northeastern ordination halls or Ubosot, is within Wat Pa Saeng Arun, Phra Lap. The Sim Isaan’s outstanding features lie in its typical shape and style and solidity, as well as the beauty of the murals of Mudmi patterns of the province’s famous tie-dyed silk. This has been intended for later generations to learn from and treasure as well as to conserve local architecture.
- Treasure Hall Museum. Daily, 09:00-17:00 except Su and public holidays. Established to strengthen local identity and serve as a study centre, this museum features the history of Khon Kaen and ancient culture dating back 5,000 years, to the city's founding, and Khon Kaen's lifestyle. Admission, 90 baht.
- Wat Chai Si. Daily, 08:00–17:00. The temple, of archaeological, historical, and social importance, was declared a national ancient monument in Aug 2001. The ordination hall (sim or ubosot) of this temple houses magnificent murals, both inside and out, painted by a folk artisan from Maha Sarakham known as Thong Thipcha. The building originally had a northeastern roof style with an extended roof on each side. Later, a new roof of the Rattanakosin-style replaced the old dilapidated one. In 1993, the roof was extended to shelter the murals from the elements. There is also a folk museum nearby where rare folk implements of the region are on display.
Bung (Lake) Kaen Nakhon. Occupying an area of 603 rai (96 hectares), the lake is in the town's southeast quadrant. By the lake is a monument of Chao Phia Mueang Phaen, founder of Khon Kaen. The shady park around the lake decorated with sculptures attracts many visitors.
City Pillar Shrine. A famous monk and former governor of Khon Kaen placed a stone inscription from an ancient site in Chum Phae here for a Buddhist rite and set up the city pillar shrine.
Khon Kaen National Museum, +66 43 246170. Daily, 09:00-16:00. exhibits antiques and precious art pieces from pre-historical periods as well as a skeleton of the New Stone Age man and tools found at Ban Chiang. Interesting exhibits include stone lintels from Khmer ruins in the region as well as art from other periods, namely the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, and native tools. These exhibits deepen knowledge of the history, archaeology, and the lifestyles of Isaan. Admission, 30 baht.
Khon Kaen University. On the hill called "Mo Din Daeng" on a 5,000 rai plot of land, the university is the largest educational centre in Isaan.
Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon (The 9-storey stupa). A royal temple, 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 incarnations of the Lord Buddha, 16 classes of visible deities in the Brahma’s world, and Buddhist rites. Murals within the stupa feature the 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.
Sim Isan (Wat Pa Saeng Arun). Sim Isaan, a term for northeastern ordination halls or Ubosot, is within Wat Pa Saeng Arun, Phra Lap. The Sim Isaan’s outstanding features lie in its typical shape and style and solidity, as well as the beauty of the murals of Mudmi patterns of the province’s famous tie-dyed silk. This has been intended for later generations to learn from and treasure as well as to conserve local architecture.
Treasure Hall Museum. Daily, 09:00-17:00 except Su and public holidays. Established to strengthen local identity and serve as a study centre, this museum features the history of Khon Kaen and ancient culture dating back 5,000 years, to the city's founding, and Khon Kaen's lifestyle. Admission, 90 baht.
Wat Chai Si. Daily, 08:00–17:00. The temple, of archaeological, historical, and social importance, was declared a national ancient monument in Aug 2001. The ordination hall (sim or ubosot) of this temple houses magnificent murals, both inside and out, painted by a folk artisan from Maha Sarakham known as Thong Thipcha. The building originally had a northeastern roof style with an extended roof on each side. Later, a new roof of the Rattanakosin-style replaced the old dilapidated one. In 1993, the roof was extended to shelter the murals from the elements. There is also a folk museum nearby where rare folk implements of the region are on display.
Every night at the City Pillar Shrine, movies are shown for free on large projectors outside at around 20:00. Most are dubbed in Thai.
- Take a day trip (or stay overnight) to Phu Kradung, around halfway between Khon Kaen and Loei. Popular with young Thais, the mountain is a pleasant climb with cliff views and waterfalls (depending on the time of year) on the plateau. Camp or stay in a lodge overnight if you don't want to do it in one day. See Loei for more information.
- Isan Explorer, +66 87-6439018. This local tour company has day and overnight trips in and around Khon Kaen. They follow a slow travel approach and include stops at villages, temples and markets on all tours to allow people to experience the local culture.
Isan Explorer, +66 87-6439018. This local tour company has day and overnight trips in and around Khon Kaen. They follow a slow travel approach and include stops at villages, temples and markets on all tours to allow people to experience the local culture.
Khon Kaen is famous for its silk.
Across the road from the Roma Hotel in downtown, there is a cheap breakfast restaurant. A lady pulls up in a car and unloads stuff to sell on the footpath, including Thai silk. Prices are excellent, and can be bargained down if you buy in quantity. (Initial price was 500 baht, Four of them were 1,500 baht total.)
There are two shopping centres, TukCom (formerly Oasis Plaza) and Fairy Plaza, a Big C, a Tesco Lotus and a Makro. Other major stores include Global House, Homepro and Index Living Mall. Central Department Store (Central Plaza), just beside the City Gate, is the largest shopping complex and hosts SFC cinema, Robinson, Se-Ed Book Centre, B2S, Tops Supermarket, and various restaurants.
There are various night markets, which also are good places to try out many different kinds of foods; a "young and hip" market at Khon Kaen University behind the Complex where students sell many of the goods, a popular one on Glang Muang Rd, and one that sometimes doubles as a carnival, at Bueng Kaen Nakhon.
- Heng Nguan Hieng, 54/1-2 Klang Mueang Rd, +66 43 239458, +66 43 236735. Preserved pork, Chinese-style sausage and dried crispy sliced pork.
- Je Ruch, 54/22 Klang Muaeng Rd, +66 43 237787. Preserved pork, sour pork, Chinese-style pork sausage, dried crispy sliced pork.
Heng Nguan Hieng, 54/1-2 Klang Mueang Rd, +66 43 239458, +66 43 236735. Preserved pork, Chinese-style sausage and dried crispy sliced pork.
Je Ruch, 54/22 Klang Muaeng Rd, +66 43 237787. Preserved pork, sour pork, Chinese-style pork sausage, dried crispy sliced pork.
Along the road from the Roma Hotel (same side of the road), there are several cheap street eateries. There is also a cheap Internet cafe in the area. A 7-Eleven (alcohol sales 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-24:00) is nearby where you can buy beer if you want to drink with your meal, use the shop's bottle opener.
- Duan's Restaurant. German and Thai food. Best German food in Isaan. Very friendly and helpful owner, living in Thailand for 35 years.
- Keng Kokoon, 162/4-7 Mitaphap Rd (between Trachoo Temple and the LPG station. Best food in town.
- Khao Tom Restaurant, 70 Srichant Rd (Srichant is a major road in the Pullman Hotel area. Across from the Hugz Mall and Tom Tom Coffee there is a small entrance leading to a hotel. The restaurant is 35 m or so in on the right., +66 43 221 1675. 24/7. Great, but hard to find, 24 hour Thai restaurant. Signature dish is khao tom, boiled rice porridge, but there is much more on offer. Friendly staff.
- Pomodoro Italian Restaurant, 348/16 Prachasumran Road (at the side of the Pullman Hotel, +66 43 224 654. An Italian restaurant specializing in pizzas and pastas.
- TastyChocolat, 193 Srichan Rd (in RAM Hospital, +66 89 572 7997. Real Belgian chocolate shop. They offer running chocolate fountain, handmade pralines and truffles, sugar-free Belgian chocolate, cakes, famous ice cream and are also the Belgian chocolate wholesaler for the Isaan region (chocolate for baking and cooking included).
Duan's Restaurant. German and Thai food. Best German food in Isaan. Very friendly and helpful owner, living in Thailand for 35 years.
Keng Kokoon, 162/4-7 Mitaphap Rd (between Trachoo Temple and the LPG station. Best food in town.
Khao Tom Restaurant, 70 Srichant Rd (Srichant is a major road in the Pullman Hotel area. Across from the Hugz Mall and Tom Tom Coffee there is a small entrance leading to a hotel. The restaurant is 35 m or so in on the right., +66 43 221 1675. 24/7. Great, but hard to find, 24 hour Thai restaurant. Signature dish is khao tom, boiled rice porridge, but there is much more on offer. Friendly staff.
Pomodoro Italian Restaurant, 348/16 Prachasumran Road (at the side of the Pullman Hotel, +66 43 224 654. An Italian restaurant specializing in pizzas and pastas.
TastyChocolat, 193 Srichan Rd (in RAM Hospital, +66 89 572 7997. Real Belgian chocolate shop. They offer running chocolate fountain, handmade pralines and truffles, sugar-free Belgian chocolate, cakes, famous ice cream and are also the Belgian chocolate wholesaler for the Isaan region (chocolate for baking and cooking included).
- Blues Bar Khon Kaen, Pracha Samran Rd (About 100 W of the Pullman Hotel, +66 85 477 5401. 08:00-01:00. One of the more upscale bars in Khon Kaen. Run by David, a Brit, and his Thai spouse. Two very good pool tables. Live music some nights. Have two menus: one for Western food, one for terrific Indian food prepared by an imported Indian chef. All day English breakfast from 09:00, making it very unusual as a (relatively) early breakfast is hard to find outside of larger hotels. Have a Facebook page. Free Wi-Fi. English breakfast, 170 baht.
- The Club. A popular nightspot for music and dancing.
- Dtawan Daeng (Red Sun) Khon Kaen. Huge brewery/indoor beer garden/concert venue with live guest acts, house band and dancers, performing regional luk thung- and mor lam-influenced rock. You'll find university students, middle-aged locals and families sharing in the mirth all at once. This feels like Isaan. A must-visit.
- Happy Times Bar. Spacious, modern bar with 2 good pool tables and lots of nice hostesses to play pool with. It appears to be the number one beer bar in the Pullman Hotel area.
- The Rad Club. Consistently the most popular nightclub in Khon Kaen with a selection of rooms to suit your taste. Live music, disco, and coyote girls.
- Sync, 43/2 Pimpasut Rd, Na Mueang Rd (Beside the Khon Kaen Hotel. Sleek and modern dance club with live bands and DJ, with a small after-hours club downstairs. If you're seeking an escape from Bangkok, this is not the place. It's a short tuk-tuk ride from Dtawan Daeng, if you've been there till closing and fancy another drink (and a microcosm of Thailand contrasts in one evening).
Blues Bar Khon Kaen, Pracha Samran Rd (About 100 W of the Pullman Hotel, +66 85 477 5401. 08:00-01:00. One of the more upscale bars in Khon Kaen. Run by David, a Brit, and his Thai spouse. Two very good pool tables. Live music some nights. Have two menus: one for Western food, one for terrific Indian food prepared by an imported Indian chef. All day English breakfast from 09:00, making it very unusual as a (relatively) early breakfast is hard to find outside of larger hotels. Have a Facebook page. Free Wi-Fi. English breakfast, 170 baht.
The Club. A popular nightspot for music and dancing.
Dtawan Daeng (Red Sun) Khon Kaen. Huge brewery/indoor beer garden/concert venue with live guest acts, house band and dancers, performing regional luk thung- and mor lam-influenced rock. You'll find university students, middle-aged locals and families sharing in the mirth all at once. This feels like Isaan. A must-visit.
Happy Times Bar. Spacious, modern bar with 2 good pool tables and lots of nice hostesses to play pool with. It appears to be the number one beer bar in the Pullman Hotel area.
The Rad Club. Consistently the most popular nightclub in Khon Kaen with a selection of rooms to suit your taste. Live music, disco, and coyote girls.
Sync, 43/2 Pimpasut Rd, Na Mueang Rd (Beside the Khon Kaen Hotel. Sleek and modern dance club with live bands and DJ, with a small after-hours club downstairs. If you're seeking an escape from Bangkok, this is not the place. It's a short tuk-tuk ride from Dtawan Daeng, if you've been there till closing and fancy another drink (and a microcosm of Thailand contrasts in one evening).
There are two bus terminals in town. The "big" terminal, where most buses arrive and leave and the "small" terminal, which is somewhat more exclusive and appears to provide the "direct to BKK" type of buses. It really is quite small compared to the other. They are about 1 km distant from each other within the centre of town, unlike most Thai cities where the bus terminals are on the outskirts. Both terminals have air-con buses, but the big one also has non-air-con to the local provinces.
- Bangkok Nakhon Chai Air Bus (6 hours), 420 baht, departs hourly from the air-con Bus Terminal (Prab-Argat). Highly recommended, though their staff speaks Thai only.
- Vientiane (Lao PDR) Thai-Lao International Bus - 180 baht, departs 07:45 (usually delayed till 08:00) and 15:15 daily from the Aircon Bus Terminal (Prab-Argat). Passport (with current Laos visa) must be produced when purchasing ticket. If you do not have a Laos visa you cannot buy a ticket, as the bus will NOT wait for passengers processing their visas on arrival (citizens of few countries outside Southeast Asia who can enter Laos visa-free, notably Russians, may have to insist on that fact and/or to show some solid proof they will not need a VoA, like existing Lao visa-free entry stamps). Tickets can only be purchased on the day of travel. Visas are available at the Lao PDR consulate in town. Thai and limited English are spoken by consular staff. Hours are Monday-Friday, 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00. Prices are said to be same as in Bangkok. Visas for American, Australian, British, several EU and New Zealand citizens cost 1,400 baht/US$40, Canadians pay 1,700 baht/US$50, while Chinese pay 600 baht/US$17. Officially, visas can be picked up the next day, or pay an additional 200 baht to have the visa issued within 1 hour. Officially, only baht is accepted although if you don't have baht, they may take US dollars. A 30-31 baht to the US dollar rate has been reported, making it more expensive than getting a visa on arrival and paying in US dollars.
- Bus connections to Ubon, Udon, Nong Khai (Class 2: 110 baht), Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Roi Et, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Mukdahan (Savannakhet Lao PDR), Amnat Charoen, Nong Bua Lamphu, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (22:00 daily, 335 baht) and Northern Thailand are also available.
[[Bangkok]] Nakhon Chai Air Bus (6 hours), 420 baht, departs hourly from the air-con Bus Terminal (Prab-Argat). Highly recommended, though their staff speaks Thai only.
[[Vientiane]] (Lao PDR) Thai-Lao International Bus - 180 baht, departs 07:45 (usually delayed till 08:00) and 15:15 daily from the Aircon Bus Terminal (Prab-Argat). Passport (with current Laos visa) must be produced when purchasing ticket. If you do not have a Laos visa you cannot buy a ticket, as the bus will NOT wait for passengers processing their visas on arrival (citizens of few countries outside Southeast Asia who can enter Laos visa-free, notably Russians, may have to insist on that fact and/or to show some solid proof they will not need a VoA, like existing Lao visa-free entry stamps). Tickets can only be purchased on the day of travel. Visas are available at the Lao PDR consulate in town. Thai and limited English are spoken by consular staff. Hours are Monday-Friday, 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00. Prices are said to be same as in Bangkok. Visas for American, Australian, British, several EU and New Zealand citizens cost 1,400 baht/US$40, Canadians pay 1,700 baht/US$50, while Chinese pay 600 baht/US$17. Officially, visas can be picked up the next day, or pay an additional 200 baht to have the visa issued within 1 hour. Officially, only baht is accepted although if you don't have baht, they may take US dollars. A 30-31 baht to the US dollar rate has been reported, making it more expensive than getting a visa on arrival and paying in US dollars.