Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) is a city and province in Isaan, Thailand.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
While various artefacts have been found in the region that hint at its 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.
Khon Kaen's centre is characterised by a strict grid system of wide streets and long blocks. It appears to have been designed for road traffic in mind, making walking fairly unpleasant. Numbered songthaews charge 9 baht/person/trip (pay when you get out). Just wave your hand and the songthaew will stop to let you get on; ring the bell and it will stop again to let you get off. There are at least 10 routes serving Khon Kaen.
Bung (Lake) Kaen Nakhon (บึงแก่นนคร). 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 ((ศาลเจ้าพ่อเทพารักษ์หลักเมือง) (in front of Sala Suk Chai, on Thepharak Rd in the compound of the Khon Kaen Municipal Offices). 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.
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, info@isanexplorer.com. This local tour company has day and overnight trips in and around Khon Kaen.
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 (Am-Mart St). 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. 1 Khao Tom Restaurant (ร้านข้าวต้ม ก๊ก24น.), 70 Srichant Rd (Srichant is a major road in the Pullman Hotel area.
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. Two very good pool tables. Live music some nights. Have two menus: one for Western food, one for terrific Indian food prepared by an 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. English breakfast, 170 baht. (updated Nov 2015) The Club (In Hotel Charoen Thani Princess). A popular nightspot for music and dancing. Tawandaeng Mahason (ตะวันแดง มหาซน ณ ขอนแก่น), Chalermprakiat Rd near intersection with Ammat Rd. 19:00-01:00 daily.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Khon Kaen typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 21 rainy days.
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