In October 2024, I decided to explore Isaan. I knew numerous people from the east of Thailand. However, even after visiting Thailand over 20 times, I had never made it to the countryside in the far east of Thailand. Following my own rule, “what you have not seen with your own eyes, you cannot comment on,” I decided to travel for two weeks by train through Isaan.
And so I first visited Nong Khai and then Udon Thani. That’s when I decided to take the train to Khon Kaen. Once I arrived in that city, I immediately felt that it had a totally different vibe than Udon Thani. I read online about the vibrant university city of Khon Kaen. I had some friends from there, and I heard only good things. Once I arrived, I immediately walked into some street art. Compared to Udon Thani, the night markets were not just a bit smaller; they were also much more local. I had to use Google Translate and pictures to be able to order my favorite dish, but I managed it.
Dinosaurs and Khon Kaen
Dinosaurs have become a cultural and tourism symbol for Khon Kaen. You’ll see dinosaur statues across the city and province, used in branding, parks, and local events. In the 1970s and 1980s, Thai geologists uncovered significant dinosaur fossils in Khon Kaen province, especially around Phu Wiang. These included some of the earliest finds in Thailand. Several dinosaur species were discovered here that exist nowhere else in the world, such as Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae and Siamosaurus suteethorni. The Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum in Khon Kaen showcases fossils, life-size reconstructions, and the region’s prehistoric importance.
Temples around Bueng Kaen Nakhon Reservoir
Khon Kaen is surrounded by a couple of lakes, ideal for a walk on an early evening when the sun isn’t as strong anymore. So I did. I walked around the Bueng Kaen Nakhon Reservoir. There, you can find Wat That, Wat Klang, and also Wat Nong Weng. The last one is the most impressive and definitely worth a visit.
About Khon Kaen
With a total population of around 1.8 million, it’s a major regional hub for education, business, and healthcare. Khon Kaen city itself is home to approximately 120,000 people, but including the surrounding urban sprawl, the greater metro area houses over 400,000 residents. Well-connected by highway, train, and its airport, Khon Kaen often serves as a central stop for both domestic and international visitors exploring the northeast.
Despite its growing skyline, Khon Kaen still carries the relaxed atmosphere typical of Isaan. Beyond the urban core, the province opens up to rice fields, silk-weaving villages, and a deeply rooted culture that is proud, welcoming, and unmistakably northeastern Thai.
Nightclubs & Parks
During my trip, I made some friends at the local 7-Eleven, which led me to a local nightclub. The result you can see in the video. It was definitely a very special experience to enjoy local music in the midst of maybe 2,000 locals – and three Western-looking guys.
The next day, I headed out to explore the Bueng Thung Sang Health Garden – another absolutely beautiful place. Yes, it was hot, but I truly enjoyed that walk along the water while exploring the parks and the smaller, lesser-known temples of Khon Kaen.
