Introduction to Khon Kaen, Thailand

The lively city of KHON KAEN, 188km northeast of Khorat, has a good museum, markets and shops, and makes a decent resting point on the Bangkok–Nong Khai rail line. Crucially, it also has both a Lao consulate and a Vietnamese consulate, the only ones outside Bangkok. In keeping with its status as a university town, Khon Kaen has several fine collections in its museum on Thanon Lung Soon Rachakarn (daily 9am–4pm; B30), including Bronze Age pots from Ban Chiang, Buddha sculptures, and local folk art. The cavernous Prathamakant Local Goods Centre (daily 8am–8.30pm) at the southern end of town at 81 Thanon Ruen Rom stocks hundreds of gorgeous cotton and silk weaves, as well as clothes, furnishings, triangular pillows, khaen pipes and jewellery. To get there, take green local bus #6 from anywhere on Thanon Na Muang.

Information by Rough Guides

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