Northeast : hotel in Thailand and attractions

Things to see & do

Khao Yai National Park has an area of about 2,168 square kilometres in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. It expands over the 4 provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri. In the past when there were no roads through the area, Khao Yai was regarded among travellers as a wild and dangerous place. The jungle here divides the Central Region and the Northeast. Khao Yai became Thailand’s first national park on 18th September 1962 and is an ASEAN World Heritage because of its variety of flora and fauna.

The Khon Kaen National Museum houses a collection of artifacts discovered in the NE region, including those from Ban Chiang, and a number of artifacts from the Dvaravati period discovered in Kalasin and from the Khmer era.

The town’s principal temple of Wat Chediyaphum houses the Phra That Kham Kaen. Legend has it that a withered tamarind tree (makam) miraculously sprung back to life as an erect tree sprouting green leaves everywhere while the procession containing a Buddha relic was passing by. People who witnessed this phenomenon erected a chedi in that area and called it the Phra That Kam Kaen, the origin of Khon Kaen’s present name.

The main attraction of the Muban Tao (Turtle Village), or Muban Kok, are the numerous land-faring, dark yellowish and brown-shelled ‘pek’ turtles that reside in this village.

The Muban Ngu (Snake Village), or Muban Koke Sanga in Nam Pong District is widely known for owning deadly poisonous snakes as pets. Originally, the villagers raised the poisonous snakes to produce herbal medicine, which later transformed into quicker, moneymaking entertainment shows, such as fights pitting man against snakes.

Covering an area of 348 sq km, Phu Kradung (Bell Mountain) National Park has a 60-km plateau at its summit, 1,350 m above sea level. Certain plants that thrive in the cool climate can only be found here on the plateau. Legend has it that the steep-sided, flat-topped mountain rings like a bell when struck with a staff. Highlights include the numerous falls dotting the park, which are most impressive in October, Pha Nok An (Swallow Cliff) with breathtaking sunrise views, and Pha Lomsak with beautiful panorama of rolling hills and valleys below.

A landmark of the province is the Kaeng Sapue, a section of the Mun River that is filled with many rocks obstructing the natural river flow. Being the province’s most beautiful cataract, it presents a picturesque scene with numerous small waterfalls cascading everywhere throughout the river, visible during the dry and cool seasons. It is a popular riverside recreational area.

Discovered by accident in 1966, the principal attraction of Ban Chiang is its archeological sites with evidence that indicate Northeastern Thailand may have been one of the world’s earliest center of spear production. Findings include spearheads dating from 3,600 BC and ceramics dating from the period between 3,000 BC and 500 AD. A collection of these artifacts and other ornamental items (bangles, rings) are on display at the Ban Chiang National Museum. Based on these findings, Ban Chiang has been recognized as an UNESCO Heritage Site.