Thailand Guidebook > Provinces > North-East Thailand

Another province located on the bank of the Mae Khong. Nong Khai is only twenty four kilometers from Vientiane opposite Tha Dua on the other side. At Amphoe Si Chiang Mai some forty kilometers from town, a road runs along the river bank affording clear view of the Laotian landscape. Nong Khai is 615 kilometers from Bangkok.

Book your hotel in Nong Khai before you leave home and save money!

If you have already visited this North-eastern province, please share your highlights with other visitors to Thailand Guidebook.

Prap Ho Monument commemorating the victory over the insurrection by Ho tribesmen, was built in 1886, and is situated in front of the town hall. Enlarged and renovated in 1951, it contains the remains of those officials who lost their lives in putting down the rebellion.

Luang Pho Phra Sai, the major Buddha Image of the province, is enshrined at Wat Pho Chai within town limit. Comparatively small, with only a spread of about one meter across the knees, it is thought to have been cast in Lan Chang. The annual Bun Soeng Bang Fai, or Rocket Festival, which is held on the day of the Full Moon in April, is celebrated at this temple.

Tha Sadet is a pier where tourists can take a ferry across the Mekhong River to Tha Dua of Laos. However, they are required to obtain beforehand an entry visa from the Laotian Embassy in Bangkok and contact Tha Sadet Immigration Checkpoint. Tha Sadet is also a shopping are where numerous souvenirs and products from Laos are put on sale.

Thai Lao Friendship Bridge The first bridge across the Khong River linking Nong Khai with tha Na Laeng in Laos, 20 Kilometers from Vientiane. The bridge measures 1.2 kms. long. Foreigners wishing to visit Laos are required to have a passport and visa and travel with an authorized agency only. Travelling on one's own is not allowed in Laos.

Phrathat Bangphuan 22 kilometers from the township area on Nong Khai-The Bo Road, is an ancient pagoda long revered by Nong Khai people. The pagoda houses relics of the Load Buddha. There is a homage paying fair for Phrathat Bangphuan on the 11th waxing day of the 2nd lunar month every year.

Wat Hin Mak Peng 30 kilometers from Amphoe Si Chiang Mai on the Highway 211, the Wat stands on Mekong river bank with spectacular scenery. It is peaceful place where priests come to practice their meditation.

Phra Chao Ong Tu one of the major Buddha images is 4 meter high with a knee-spread of 3.29 meters. Enshrined at Wat Nam Mong, about 43 kilometers from town on the Nong Khat - Si Chiang Mai highway, it is believed to have been cast in 1662.

Wat Sala Kaew Goo A unique place with numerous sculptures according to the belief of a sent of Buddhism. Sala Kaew Koo is about 3 km. from Nong Khai on the Nong Khai - Phon Phi - sai road.

Nam Tok Than Thong & Nam Tok Than Thip are 85 kms. and 110 kms. away from town respectively along the Nong Khai-Si Chiang Mai-Sangkhom route some parts of which run hugging the bank of Mekhong River over looking a scenic view. Nam Tok Than Thong is a small waterfall flowing into Mekhong River. Nam Tok Than Thip is a larger, 2-tiered waterfall with plentiful water during the rainy season.

Phu Thok situated in Amphoe Buang Kan, some 185 Kilometers from the province, Phu Thok (a lonely mountain) is topped by Wat Chetiya Khiri Vihan or Wat Phu Thok with a wooden spiral staircase leading up there. The completion of the staircase took 5 years.

Phu Wua Wild Life Sanctuary, 31 kilometers from Amphoe Bung Kan, is almost adjacent to the Laotion border where the two borders run parallel to the Khong River. The area is about 150-300 meters above sea level and comprises many beautiful waterfalls including Nam Tok Chanaen, Nam Tok Tham Fun, Nam Tok Tham Phra and Nam Tok Chet Si.

COPYRIGHT: Information on this page is used with permission from the Tourist Authority of Thailand. Additional information from brochures produced locally and notes made by Panrit Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs on this web site are the property of Panrit Daoruang.