Joanna James
Khon Kaen is one of the major provinces in North Eastern Thailand but remains undiscovered by mainstream tourists. The region has much to offer travelers who are ready to venture off the beaten path.
Khon Kaen is part of Thailand's National Economic and Social Plan along with Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chonburi and Chiang Mai. Due to targeted state investment, the city of Khon Kaen has improved infrastructure without the overcrowding that is generally found in developed cities. Many of the hotels and popular nightlife spots are located close to the city centre while the majority of the attractions are spread across the province.
Khon Kaen is well known as the centre of Thailand's famous silk industry and is a great place to visit for anyone who loves silk. There is even a silk festival where the products of the region are displayed in all their glory. Apart from this, there are also demonstrations on silk extraction and the regional delicacy of boiled silkworms is available for purchase. If you choose to visit during the silk festival and you are looking for a hotel, Khon Kaen offers many great places to stay including AVANI Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre.
For those familiar with Chiang Mai's Walking Street, Khon Kaen's own offering is not very different. The Walking Street is a great place to pick up souvenirs such as handbags, picture frames and lovingly handcrafted products. Those who do not enjoy carts and vinyl tents of traditional night markets will be happy to know that Ton Tann Night Market primarily consists of boutique shops, restaurants and live entertainment so they can still enjoy the vibe.
Long before humans inhabited Khon Kaen, the area was home to dinosaurs. There have been many large scale fossil excavations that have revealed the types of dinosaurs that once roamed the area. This explains why their Football Club is called the T-Rexes! Located outside the main city of Khon Kaen, Phu Wiang Dinosaur Park explains Khon Kaen's history of dinosaurs with the aid of life size models and dioramas of life during prehistoric times. Adjoining the museum is a park where most of the major paleontological discoveries in Thailand have been made. This attraction cannot be missed by anyone who loves dinosaurs and wants to know more about the majestic beasts which once roamed this area.
If you are lucky enough to spend the weekend in Khon Kaen, you need to set aside your Sunday for one of the city's favourite pastimes; horse racing. Most Sundays, the locals brave the heat to gamble at the horse races. Even if you are not inclined to gamble, it is definitely worth a visit to enjoy getting swept up in the frenzy of it all. It should be noted that the races can get uncomfortably hot at times and those sensitive to the heat will be able to enjoy the races better during the cooler months.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
