All you need to know about the land of silk and smiles
When you look at Khon Kaen
today with its quality hotels and bustling streets and stores it is hard to
believe that this is the capital of what was one of Thailand’s poorest provinces.
Trade with China
has been a great help. The province is able to produce low cost clothing and
household goods which are much in demand in southern China. Vast quantities are shipped
by truck every day to the port area in Chang Rai province. Chinese cargo
vessels, that bring a variety of manufactured food items to Thailand, return
with the products of Khon Kaen province.
The city and province is steeped in history. The first dinosaur fossils in Thailand were
discovered here. The city is major center of commerce, home of one of Thailand’s
largest the public universities and is surrounded by superb countryside. 
A must see while in the city is the Khon Kaen National Museum, Lang Sun
Ratchakan Road, open daily except public holidays from 9am to 4pm, which has
exhibits on the ancient civilizations and artifacts found in the Northeast. There are numerous items from the prehistoric
civilization of Ban Chiang.
Another sight well worth a visit it Wat Nongwang (pictured on the right). This
temple cost 40 million Baht to build and is south of the city on Klangmuang Road.
Festivals: The Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival is held annually from April 13-15
every year at Bung Kaen Nakhon. Bung Kaen Nakhon is a 600-acre park and lake
area surrounded by restaurants. At the northern end of the lake is the Chao
Phia Mueang Phaen monument that was built to honor Khon Kaen’s founder. The
religious part of the three-day festival involves pouring holy water on Buddha
images. Aside from that there is a procession of floral carts, contests
involving northeastern food, boat races, performances of local dramatic arts
and stalls selling local products.
The annual Silk and Phuk Sieo Festival is held between November 29 and December
10 in front of the Khon Kaen town hall. The main events center on silk making.
There are contests as well as displays. The Phuk Sieo part of the festival is
an old Isaan tradition which involves making new friends.
The Sofitel Raja Orchid Khon Kaen
This is one of the finest hotels we have stayed in not only in
On our first night we h
ad booked a junior suite for 2,200 Baht. The large room on the corner of the seventh floor was well equipped and pleasantly furnished. The price included an impressive breakfast buffet which had all the European favorites in addition to an even larger display of Asian delights. We liked the place so well that we asked to stay a second night. The only room available was an executive suite on the eighth floor at 4,000 Baht. We accepted that and got to stay in the largest hotel room we have ever occupied. The living area had a dining room table with six chairs, and full suite of furniture. The bedroom was vast too as was the bathroom and wardrobe area. There were three TVs – the third being in the bathroom, something we have never seen before.
The price included a high speed Internet connection, which we had to pay for the previous day. Even though the hotel was full it never appeared crowded. This is a very well managed property with very professional staff and everyone we spoke to had a good command of English. Contact details:9 Prachasumran Road, Khon Kaen 4000m
Other places to stay The Bussarakam Hotel. Good value – all rooms under 1,000 Baht a night - and new hotel aimed at the MICE market. For those not in the know that stands for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions. The 157-room, seven-story hotel is located 15 minutes from
Charoen Thani Princess. This high rise hotel is close to the Sofitel with slightly lower rates for its 320 rooms and suites. There is a choice of restaurants, good swimming pool with a popular poolside bar. Expect a welcoming smile from the young ladies in reception. (see the picture on the left)
Kosa Hotel. For over two decades this was the best place to stay in Khon Kaen. The 17-story building, with a helicopter pad on top has 120 rooms and suites. One of the suites is pictured on the right. The hotel’s convention hall can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Great views from the sky lounge on the sixteenth floor. .
