Khon Kaen
Encyclopedia
Khon Kaen is a city in Isan
, Thailand
. It is also the capital of Khon Kaen province
and the Khon Kaen district
.
, in the central-northwestern area of Isaan. Its geographical location is 16°26′N 102°50′E.
The city has a population of 113,754
Presently Khon Kaen is one of the major cities under Thailand's National Economic and Social Plan, along with Chiang Mai
, Songkhla
, Nakhon Ratchasima
and Chonburi
. It is also the home of Rajamangala University
and Khon Kaen University
—the largest university in the Northeast, with a student population of around 25,000.
Strategically important for the Isan region's infrastructure, Khon Kaen Airport
was raised to international standards in 2005 with the opening of a new terminal. However despite efforts to expand services as of April 2010 only two airlines use the airport. Thai Airways operate three flights a day to Bangkok with an Airbus and Nok Air run a twice weekly service to Chiang Mai using an ATR turboprop.
The city is bisected by the Mithraphap Road — also known as 'Friendship Highway'or Highway 2, the road linking Bangkok
to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. A modern, multi-lane by-pass enables through traffic to avoid the city centre to the west and connects to the airport and to the main roads to Kalasin
and Mahasarakham in the east and Udon Thani
in the north.
The city can be easily navigated by driving along either of the two north-south main roads—Na Muang and Klang Muang, which are located East and parallel to the Friendship Highway. In addition, there are two main east-west roads—Srichan Road and Prachasamosorn Road, leading East to the city of Kalasin
, and West to the airport, as well as to other small villages.
On the south side of the city and East of the Friendship highway, lake—Bueng Kaen Nakhon with a diverse range of recreation areas and facilities.
The Khon Kaen National Museum
(พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ ขอนแก่น), was opened by His Majesty King Bhumiphol Adulyadej
on the 20th of December, 1972. It has a diverse selection of antiques, precious art pieces and archaeological finds from the region. The exhibits range from the pre-historic to historical periods, including ancient relics and a skeleton of the 'New Stone Age' man with tools from that period, most of the archaeology being conducted at Muang Fa Daet Song Yang excavation site
and Ban Chiang
.
Isan
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. It is also the capital of Khon Kaen province
Khon Kaen Province
-History:The first city of the area was established in 1783 when Rajakruluang settled there with 330 people. King Rama I made Rajakruluang the first governor of the area when establishing tighter connections with the Isan area. The main city was moved six times until in 1879 it reached its modern...
and the Khon Kaen district
Amphoe Mueang Khon Kaen
Mueang Khon Kaen is the capital district of Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Ban Haet, Phra Yuen, Ban Fang, Ubolratana, Nam Phong, Sam Sung of Khon Kaen Province, Kosum Phisai and Chiang Yuen of Maha Sarakham Province.-History:In 1917, the district...
.
Geography and demography
Khon Kaen is located in the Khorat PlateauKhorat Plateau
The Khorat Plateau also Korat Plateau, is a plateau in the northeastern region of Thailand, named for the short form of Nakhon Ratchasima, an historical stronghold controlling access to and from the plateau.-Geography:...
, in the central-northwestern area of Isaan. Its geographical location is 16°26′N 102°50′E.
The city has a population of 113,754
Regional importance
Khon Kaen is a regional center for education, financial institutions, government offices and transportation. The city is also an industrial center, especially for the region's silk trade, as well as an agricultural hub. Khon Kaen has played host to a number of regional conferences, such as the Asean Regional Forum and United Nations meetings. The Lao People's Democratic Republic maintains the office of Consulate-General on Phothisan Road,Presently Khon Kaen is one of the major cities under Thailand's National Economic and Social Plan, along with Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province , a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is...
, Songkhla
Songkhla
Songkhla is a city in the Songkhla Province of southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. As of 2006 it had a population of 75,048...
, Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima or is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district...
and Chonburi
Chonburi (city)
Chonburi is the capital of Chonburi Province in Thailand. It is located about 100km east of Bangkok, on the coast to the Gulf of Thailand. The name means city of water.Chonburi has had town status since 1935.-External links:...
. It is also the home of Rajamangala University
Rajamangala University of Technology
Rajamangala University of Technology , RMUT, is a system of nine universities in Thailand providing undergraduate and graduate level of education. It was elevated to university level in 2005...
and Khon Kaen University
Khon Kaen University
Khon Kaen University is an internationally-recognized university in Asia. It is located in the Isan region of Thailand. The university is a central hub of education in north-east Thailand.-History:...
—the largest university in the Northeast, with a student population of around 25,000.
Strategically important for the Isan region's infrastructure, Khon Kaen Airport
Khon Kaen Airport
Khon Kaen Airport is located in Khon Kaen, Thailand.Serving Khon Kaen, a city strategically important for the region's infrastructure both geographically and economically, the airport was upgraded to international standards in 2005 with the opening of a new terminal. It is located a few kilometers...
was raised to international standards in 2005 with the opening of a new terminal. However despite efforts to expand services as of April 2010 only two airlines use the airport. Thai Airways operate three flights a day to Bangkok with an Airbus and Nok Air run a twice weekly service to Chiang Mai using an ATR turboprop.
The city is bisected by the Mithraphap Road — also known as 'Friendship Highway'or Highway 2, the road linking Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. A modern, multi-lane by-pass enables through traffic to avoid the city centre to the west and connects to the airport and to the main roads to Kalasin
Kalasin
Kalasin is a town in the north-east of Thailand, the capital of Kalasin Province. As of 2006, it has a population of 37,653. It covers the whole tambon Kalasin of the Mueang Kalasin district, an area of 16.96 km²....
and Mahasarakham in the east and Udon Thani
Udon Thani
Udon Thani is a city in Isan, north-east Thailand, and the capital of Udon Thani Province.-Location:The province of Udon Thani has a population of 1,467.200, the city alone 500.000. Geographical location and is approximately 560 km from Bangkok...
in the north.
The city can be easily navigated by driving along either of the two north-south main roads—Na Muang and Klang Muang, which are located East and parallel to the Friendship Highway. In addition, there are two main east-west roads—Srichan Road and Prachasamosorn Road, leading East to the city of Kalasin
Kalasin
Kalasin is a town in the north-east of Thailand, the capital of Kalasin Province. As of 2006, it has a population of 37,653. It covers the whole tambon Kalasin of the Mueang Kalasin district, an area of 16.96 km²....
, and West to the airport, as well as to other small villages.
Tourism and recreation
Khon Kaen has some noteworthy Buddhist temples.On the south side of the city and East of the Friendship highway, lake—Bueng Kaen Nakhon with a diverse range of recreation areas and facilities.
The Khon Kaen National Museum
Khon Kaen National Museum
The Khon Kaen National Museum was opened by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the 20th of December, 1972. Most of the exhibitions are concerned with history, art, and archaeology...
(พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ ขอนแก่น), was opened by His Majesty King Bhumiphol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
on the 20th of December, 1972. It has a diverse selection of antiques, precious art pieces and archaeological finds from the region. The exhibits range from the pre-historic to historical periods, including ancient relics and a skeleton of the 'New Stone Age' man with tools from that period, most of the archaeology being conducted at Muang Fa Daet Song Yang excavation site
Kalasin
Kalasin is a town in the north-east of Thailand, the capital of Kalasin Province. As of 2006, it has a population of 37,653. It covers the whole tambon Kalasin of the Mueang Kalasin district, an area of 16.96 km²....
and Ban Chiang
Ban Chiang
Ban Chiang is an archeological site located in Nong Han district, Udon Thani Province, Thailand. It has been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1992....
.