Joanna James
Khon Kaen is home to northeast Thailand's largest university; hence the place is a vibrant modern hub, often frequented by young students. It is home to a number of interesting attractions to visit and well on its way to being one of the most liveable cities in the world.
Khon Kaen is the capital of the Isaan Province. The city is considered fairly new as it was established only two centuries when King Rama I reigned. However, a prehistoric Khon Kaen has a vivid history, with the plateau the town is located on being linked to many cultural and natural environmental phenomena; in fact, artefacts uncovered have shown that the area was once ruled by dinosaurs. People from varied tribes and cultures made the plateau their home until in the 12th century the Khmer Empire extended its reign to the region. It is these changes, experiences and cultures that have shaped and moulded the Thai people of the region.
Located centrally within the north-east region of Thailand, Khon Kaen plays an important contributory role to the country, while the location of the region's largest university within the town means Khon Kaen is a hub for education and technology. Enticing a large number of business visitors, the town which is home to properties the likes of AVANI Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre, often plays host to international business and educational conferences. Easy to access, from a centrally located hotel Khon Kaen has to offer is Amphoe Chonnabot, where high-quality Mudmee silk is woven by hand and traditional tie-dye techniques are used to colour the delicate fabric.
Visit the Art and Cultural Centre housed within the Khon Kaen University, in a lovely Isaan barn-type building, for a taste of local arts and culture. Likewise, the Khon Kaen National Museum is a treasure trove of artefacts, from exhibiting artworks and antiques dating back to both pre-historic and historic periods, to the skeleton of a Stone Age man, uncovered in Ban Chiang.
The vintage shrines and temples of Khon Kaen are home to a fine collection of local art and murals. You will find the Sim Isan found in the Wat Pa Saeng Arun exhibits a unique shape together with a fine collection of Mudmi patterns done in the regions traditional tie-dye silk. Wat Chai Si located in Ban Sawathi is treasured as being high in archaeological significance and was declared a national ancient monument in 2001. The shrines most treasured features are the murals located both in and outside. The paintings are the masterpieces of folk artist Maha Sarkham better known as Thong Thipcha.
As a hub for the young and educated, the town offers a range of entertainment venues, such as Dino Park boasting a wave pool, lazy river and number of exciting rides. Free movies are screened every night at 8 pm at the City Pillar Shrine; they are for the locals and are dubbed in Thai most of the time. If the movies are not your cup of tea, climb Phu Kradung, offering stunning views and thrills of basking beneath a waterfall.
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