Khonkaen lies in the geographical heart of Thailand's sprawling northeast plateau, and are known among Thai as I-San. Khonkaen was established in 1783 and is a major regional development centre and university city.The provincial capital is 449 kilometres northeast of Bangkok.

The province covers an area of 10,886 square kilometres, parts of which contain national and forest parks.Ko Samui is Thailand's third largest island at 247 square kilometres, and during the last decade it has become one of Southeast Asia's premier tourist destinations.

Ok Khoon Siang Khaen Flower Festival

April 12-15 Bueng Kaen Nakhon, Khon Kaen

This festival coincides with Songkran (the traditional Thai New Year) and is staged at Bung Kaen Nakhon. Featuring colourful floral processions, major festival activities include religious rites and merit-making and I-San folk music. Dancing and entertainment.

Silk Festival

November 29-December 10 Khon Kaen City Hall, Khon Kaen

Staged annually in front of Goverment Houses, this promotes silk weaving and silk worm culture. Pook Sieo, an I-San tradition promoting close friendship between people of similar ages, is also celebrated during this occasion.

Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park

The 320 square-kilometre area covers part of Ubonrat district and extends into the neighbouring province of Udon Thani. Deciduous and evergreen forests offer ample trekking opportunities. The park may be reached by following the route from Khonkaen to Ubolrat Dam to Non Sang.

Pha Nok Khao

This impressive outcropping of strangely shaped rocks is 125 kilometres west of the provincial capital along Highway 201 in a mountainous area extending into Loei province. The Nam Pong River and Loei's Phu Kradung, a scenic national park, can be seen from this vantage point.

Phu Wieng Park

This area, some 60 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital, along Route 2038, contains a number of important archaeological sites with evidence of I-San's earliest inhabitants seen from prehistoric rock painting. Fossil remains of a herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaur may be seen at park headquarters at Hua Phu Chon Reservoir.

Tham Pha Puang Forest Park

Some 120 kilometres from the provincial capital on the Khonkaen-Chumpae highway, a large and interesting cave can be reached by walking up the hill from the parking area. Lush forests grace the area.

Tradition entertainment

A few days in Khonkaen can be a combination off seeing some of the best Tourist attractions and playing the finest golf courses in the northeast. The sunshine almost never lets you down or upsets your holiday plans. So choose your own way of discovering the most beautiful golf course in Khonkaen. The experience will be most memorable And if you are not too tired, Khonkaen offers you a different kind of swing in its many night clubs and dicos at night. Ubolrat Golf course is 50 kilometers from Khonkaen.

Khon Kaen National Museum

The museum contains a large collection of artifact, particularly from the Northeast, including those discovered at major archaeological sites such as Ban Chiang, where the world's first Bronze Age civilization was believed to have flourished more than 5,000 years ago.

Phra That Kham Kaen

This is a 19-metre high at Wat Jediyaphum about 30 kilometres northeast of Khonkaen town. The legend has it that two revered monks on their way to Nakhon Phanom provice spent the night at the site of present temple where they observed the dead tamarund tree. They told the villagers to build a Chedi over the 'Kham Kaen' (hardwood log). The province derives its name form this chedi.

Non Muang

This ancient Chumpae site,85 kilometres from the Khonkaen, is believed to have been inhabited from prehistoric times until at least the 10th century AD. Human skeletons and 3,000-year-old bronze tools have been discovered in the area.

Wat Udom Khongkha Kiri Khet

is an elegant hill-top temple in Mancha Khiri district. It is know for its ornate gold coloured roof and beautifully decorated doors. The temple is 67 kilometres from town on Highway 2149, has a display of the belongings of Luang Poo Pharng ,a monk revered by I-San people.

Koo Puay Noi

This Khmer complex, 76 kilometres from the provincial in Puay Noi district, is the largest Khmer complex in Khonkaen. Three brick pagodas, a laterite palace and beautifully carved doors are of particular interest.

Pha-Mai Thai, or Thai silk

Shopping for gift and souvenirs can be a pleasure and challenge. Good bargains can be found by visitors. Suggested gift or souvenir from Khon Kaen are the exotic hand made Pha-Mai Thai, or Thai silk (especially mut-mee) which is perhaps the best known in the world.Chonnabot district is famous for its silk, especially the mudmee variety favoured by Queen Sirikit.

To get there, take Highway 2 south towards Khorat and turn at Km 399 and proceed another 12 km. An impressive exhibition on mudmee silk is on display at "Sala Mai Thai" located in Khon Kaen Industrial and Community Education College.