"Khon Kaen" a Khon Kaen Travel Page by Bobbee5

Khon Kaen is known as the gateway to Isaan. It is the main city of the province of Khon Kaen and has a population of about 160000. It is some 450 km NE of Bangkok. You are able to get there by air,train, bus and road. The journey by air is 1 hour, by train and bus about 6 hours. It is not on the agenda of the package tourist so if you want to see the 'real Thailand' then this is a good place to start. Nong Khai is to the North, Phitsanulok to the West and Kalasin and Mukdahan to the East.

A fairly largish town with all the amenities that are need. There is a Big C, Tesco Lotus, Makro and a couple of shopping malls. There are two large hotels - the Chareon Thani Princess and the Sofitel Raja Orchid in the centre of the town. There are many more smaller hotels and numerous guesthouses. A/c and Non A/c bus terminals, and a tourist police office just past the city hall. There are many restaurants around plus plenty of street food. There are only about half a dozen European type bars, numerous Kharioke places, couple of night clubs and discos, cinema and bowling alley. There are 6 main markets in the town and it also boasts of the largest University in the North East.

As is normal with Thailand there are numerous Wats that can be visited. There is a musuem which has local artifacts etc. The region is also known for its silk and a fair is held every year at the end on Nov and goes on for about a week. A horse track where there is racing nearly every weekend. There is also a lake further afield where one can enjoy a leisurly day swimming or having a game of golf nearby.