North-Eastern (I-San) Thailand and Laos, 16 Nov - 10 Dec 2015 (25days)
Day 03 (18 Nov) Khon Kaen City walk around
Khon Kaen is a provincial capital of NE Thailand which is seldom traveled by backpackers. A lively and vibrant city with plenty of nightlife, great I-san food and friendly people. In the morning we walked along the main Klang Muang Road to the market for breakfast.
We then visited: Wat Phra That and Wat Klang Muang Kao. We then walked along the Kaen Nakorn Lake to visit Chao Por Mahe Sak Shrine and Wat Nong Waeng Muang Kao.
In the afternoon we took a tuktuk to visit the City Shrine and the City Gate. We then took a taxi to visit an 1865 old temple in Ban Sawathi the Wat Chai Sri. Our dinner was at the Ruenrom Road for its street food. Sleeping at Roma Hotel, Khon Kaen
L-R: Chew Leng Soon, Chia Chai Ling, Ching Neng Bin, Chan Meng Fye |
Day 03 (18 Nov) Khon Kaen City walk around
Khon Kaen is a provincial capital of NE Thailand which is seldom traveled by backpackers. A lively and vibrant city with plenty of nightlife, great I-san food and friendly people. In the morning we walked along the main Klang Muang Road to the market for breakfast.
We then visited: Wat Phra That and Wat Klang Muang Kao. We then walked along the Kaen Nakorn Lake to visit Chao Por Mahe Sak Shrine and Wat Nong Waeng Muang Kao.
In the afternoon we took a tuktuk to visit the City Shrine and the City Gate. We then took a taxi to visit an 1865 old temple in Ban Sawathi the Wat Chai Sri. Our dinner was at the Ruenrom Road for its street food. Sleeping at Roma Hotel, Khon Kaen
Khon Kaen is the commercial administrative and educational center of the Northeast, which is often used by travelers as a base for visiting many parts of upper I-san region. |
Khon Kaen Post Office with the gigantic letter box. |
Khon Kaen road side tailors. |
At the entrance of the morning market in Khon Kaen. |
At the Khon Kaen morning market. |
I do not know what is this eaten as vegetables. |
For our breakfast at the morning market in Khon Kaen |
Khon Kaen municipal fresh food market. |
Statue on the Lamp post of Ruenrom Road, Khon Kaen. |
Wat Phra That. Wat That is probably the most photographed temple of Khon Kaen city since it sits picturesquely at the lake in front of the skyline of the city. The temple was built in 1789. |
Wat Phra That, Khon Kaen. The temple contains a beautiful Lan Chang-style Buddha image called Luang Phor Phra Lub. |
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This is how you can take a good wide angle picture by getting down on your knees. This photo was taken by Chew Leng Soon. |
The giant gong at Wat Phra That, Khon Kaen. |
The gigantic fishing basket at Wat Phra That, Khon Kaen. |
Wat Phra That, Khon Kaen. |
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus |
Wat Klang Muang Kao, Khon Kaen. |
Wat Klang Muang Kao, Khon Kaen. |
Wat Klang Muang Kao, Khon Kaen. |
The pigeon man in Khon Kaen. |
The pigeon man in Khon Kaen. |
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The pigeon man in Khon Kaen. |
At Kaen Nakorn Lake, Khon Kaen. |
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At Kaen Nakorn Lake, Khon Kaen. |
Chao Por Mahe Sak Shrine, Khon Kaen |
The elephants at Chao Por Mahe Sak Shrine, Khon Kaen |
The huts at Chao Por Mahe Sak Shrine, Khon Kaen |
The deity of Chao Por Mahe Sak Shrine, Khon Kaen |
Wat Nong Waeng Muang Kao, Khon Kaen. The temple grounds open daily from 7 am until 5 pm. Admission is free. Please dress respectfully, meaning no revealing clothes. |
The sacred City Shrine, Khon Kaen. |
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The sacred City Shrine, Khon Kaen. |
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The sacred City Shrine, Khon Kaen. |
Khon Kaen City Gate located beside Central Plaza shopping complex. From here we took a taxi to Wat Chai Sri which was 20km away. |
Wat Chai Sri Khon Kaen, is an ancient temple with I-san architectural style Sim or main chapel. Its interior & outer walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
The main entrance of Wat Chai Sri. |
The main entrance of Wat Chai Sri. |
The main door of Wat Chai Sri. |
Wat Chai Sri - a delicately carved door. |
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Wat Chai Sri - Its interior walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
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Wat Chai Sri - Its interior walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
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Wat Chai Sri - Its interior walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
Wat Chai Sri - Its outer walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
Wat Chai Sri - Its outer walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
Wat Chai Sri - Its outer walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
Wat Chai Sri - Its outer walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
Wat Chai Sri - Its outer walls have murals illustrating local cultures. |
The monks' kuti at Wat Chai Sri. |
Khon Kaen night market is one of the most popular in Isan. It is held every night on Ruenrom Road between 5 pm and midnight. |
A good place to do some shopping and especially to eat cheap local food. Everything is in Thai and very few sellers speak English but with gestures we managed to order food. |
Click below to view:
Day 01 (16.11.15) AirAsia AK 856 KUL. 12.45pm to Chiang Mai, (1738km)
Day 02 (17 Nov) Chiang Mai to Loei to Phu Kradueng to Khon Kaen (691km)
Day 03 (18 Nov) Khon Kaen City walk around
Day 04 (19 Nov) Khon Kaen City to Kalasin (80km)
Day 05 (20 Nov) Kalasin to Sakon Nakhon (129km)
Day 06 (21 Nov) Sakon Nakhon to Nakhon Phanom (92km)
Day 07 (22 Nov) Nakhon Phanom - day trip to Thakhek, Laos (62km)
Day 08 (23 Nov) Nakhon Phanom to Mukdahan (125km)
Day 09 (24 Nov) Mukdahan - trip to Phu Pha Thoet National Park (108km)
Day 10 (25 Nov) Mukdahan to Ubon Ratchathani by bus (194km)
Day 11 (26 Nov) Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse to Si Phan Don, Laos (291km)
Day 12 (27 Nov) Si Phan Don - a long walk to Somphamit Waterfall
Day 13 (28 Nov) Si Phan Don to Ubon Ratchathani by bus (291km)
Day 14 (29 Nov) Ubon Ratchathani to Si Sa Ket by van (67km)
Day 15 (30 Nov) Si Sa Ket to Buri Ram by train (148km)
Day 16 (01 Dec) Buri Ram - day visit to 3 places (219km)
Day 17 (02 Dec) Buri Ram to Nakhon Ratchasima by train (129km)
Day 18 (03 Dec) Nakhon Ratchasima - day trip to Phimai (120km)
Day 19 (04 Dec) Nakhon Ratchasima to Bangkok by train (264km)
Day 20 (05 Dec) Bangkok - Chao Phraya River boat ride to Khaosan Road
Day 21 (06 Dec) Bangkok - rest day and dinner at Royal Bangkok Sports Club
Day 22 (07 Dec) Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by train (320km)
Day 23 (08 Dec) Prachuap Khiri Khan
Day 24 (09 Dec) Prachuap Khiri Khan to Hatyai by night train (660km)
Day 25 (10 Dec) Hatyai to Butterworth by train and to KL by bus (555km)
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Day 01 (16.11.15) AirAsia AK 856 KUL. 12.45pm to Chiang Mai, (1738km)
Day 02 (17 Nov) Chiang Mai to Loei to Phu Kradueng to Khon Kaen (691km)
Day 03 (18 Nov) Khon Kaen City walk around
Day 04 (19 Nov) Khon Kaen City to Kalasin (80km)
Day 05 (20 Nov) Kalasin to Sakon Nakhon (129km)
Day 06 (21 Nov) Sakon Nakhon to Nakhon Phanom (92km)
Day 07 (22 Nov) Nakhon Phanom - day trip to Thakhek, Laos (62km)
Day 08 (23 Nov) Nakhon Phanom to Mukdahan (125km)
Day 09 (24 Nov) Mukdahan - trip to Phu Pha Thoet National Park (108km)
Day 10 (25 Nov) Mukdahan to Ubon Ratchathani by bus (194km)
Day 11 (26 Nov) Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse to Si Phan Don, Laos (291km)
Day 12 (27 Nov) Si Phan Don - a long walk to Somphamit Waterfall
Day 13 (28 Nov) Si Phan Don to Ubon Ratchathani by bus (291km)
Day 14 (29 Nov) Ubon Ratchathani to Si Sa Ket by van (67km)
Day 15 (30 Nov) Si Sa Ket to Buri Ram by train (148km)
Day 16 (01 Dec) Buri Ram - day visit to 3 places (219km)
Day 17 (02 Dec) Buri Ram to Nakhon Ratchasima by train (129km)
Day 18 (03 Dec) Nakhon Ratchasima - day trip to Phimai (120km)
Day 19 (04 Dec) Nakhon Ratchasima to Bangkok by train (264km)
Day 20 (05 Dec) Bangkok - Chao Phraya River boat ride to Khaosan Road
Day 21 (06 Dec) Bangkok - rest day and dinner at Royal Bangkok Sports Club
Day 22 (07 Dec) Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by train (320km)
Day 23 (08 Dec) Prachuap Khiri Khan
Day 24 (09 Dec) Prachuap Khiri Khan to Hatyai by night train (660km)
Day 25 (10 Dec) Hatyai to Butterworth by train and to KL by bus (555km)
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