A Glimpse of Khon Kaen.

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Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) is a city in Central Isaan, Thailand.





Background:
Historically, Khon Kaen is quite a new town established a little over two centuries ago during the reign of King Rama I. But prehistorically, this town on the plateau has involved various natural phenomenon and cultures. Artifacts have proven that millions of year ago the area was ruled by gigantic creature dinosaurs. People in various cultures then occupied the plateau during the pre-historical period until the Ancient Khmer Empire expanded its presence into the area in the 12th century. These cultures, traditions, and historical sites in this area have all contributed in shaping the Thai people and Thailand in this way.

Geographically, Khon Kaen plays an important role as the centre of the Northeast region. Furthermore, the province, by Khon Kaen University, is a major hub of education and technology. A major source of local wisdom in silk production is in Amphoe Chonnabot where excellent Mudmee Silk is delicately woven by hand using the tie-dye technique. Developments in different areas are facilitating Khon Kaen as a major transportation hub of Indochina.

Things to See:
 
City Pillar Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อเทพารักษ์หลักเมือง)
The sacred shrine is located in front of Sala Suk Chai, , on Thepharak Road in the compound of the Khon Kaen Municipality Office. A famous monk and former governor of Khon Kaen placed a stone inscription from an ancient site in Amphoe Chum Phae here for a Buddhism rite and set up the city pillar shrine.

Khon Kaen National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ ขอนแก่น)
Located on Lang Sun Ratchakan Road, the museum exhibits antiques and precious art pieces from pre-historical to historical periods as well as a skeleton of the New Stone Age man and tools found at Ban Chiang.

Visitors should not miss to see sandstone Sema boundary markers from the Semas Dvaravati period. The boundary markers were carved delicately featuring the life of the Lord Buddha. These were discovered at Fa Daet Song Yang ancient city in Kalasin province.

Other interesting exhibits include stone lintels from Khmer ruins in the region as well as art pieces from other periods namely, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, and native tools. These exhibits well facilitate study in history, archaeology and the lifestyle of Isan. The museum is open daily from 9.00 am. to 4.00 pm. Admission fee is 30 baht.
For more information, call Tel. 0 4324 6170.

Bueng Kaen Nakhon (บึงแก่นนคร)
Acquiring an area of 603 rai, the lake is in the municipality of Amphoe Mueang. By the lake is a monument of Chao Phia Mueang Phaen, founder of Khon Kaen. The shady park around the lake decorated with sculptures always attracts people to relax and enjoy recreation.

Treasure Hall (โฮงมูนมังเมืองขอนแก่น)
Established to strengthen the local identity and serve as a study centre, the local museum exhibits the history of the city as well as the people’s lifestyle from the yesteryears through the contribution of senior citizens. The exhibitions include Khon Kaen town, history of Khon Kaen and ancient culture dating back to over 5,000 years ago, city establishment, city outlook and Khon Kaen lifestyle, and culture and tradition of Khon Kaen at present. This hall is open daily during 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. except Sunday and public holidays. Admission fee 90 baht.

Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon or The 9-storey stupa (พระมหาธาตุแก่นนคร หรือพระธาตุ ๙ ชั้น)
Located in Wat Nong Waeng, a royal temple on Klang Mueang Road, the Phra Mahathat houses relics of the Lord Buddha and important Buddhist scriptures. Doors and windows of the 9 storeys of the stupa are beautifully carved, featuring the life and former reinearnations of the Lord Buddha, 16 classes of visible deities in the Brahma’s world, and Buddhist rites. Murals within the stupa feature history of the town. The top floor, on the 9th storey, houses relics of the Lord Buddha. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the town from there.

Khon Kaen University (มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น)
Located on the hill called ‘Mo Din Daeng’ over 5,000 rai plot of land, the university is the largest education centre in Isan, particularly on the areas that directly involve and benefit Isan people. How to get there: the university is located 4 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. Visitor can access from Mitraphap Road (Khon Kaen-Udon Thani route) or Pracha Samosorn Road (Khon Kaen-Loei route).

Art and Cultural Centre (หอศิลปวัฒนธรรม)
Located in the compound of Khon Kaen University, the Isan barn-style building features local knowledge in different areas; namely, arts, geography and history through a modern display. The centre can be accessed through the Si Than Gate.

Sim Isan (Wat Pa Saeng Arun) (สิมอีสาน)
Sim Isan – a term for northeastern ordination hall or Ubosot – is situated within Wat Pa Saeng Arun, Tambon Phra Lap, Amphoe Mueang, approximately 3 kilometres from Khon Kaen City Hall on the Khon Kaen – Kalasin route. The Sim Isan’s outstanding features lie in its typical shape and style, solidity, shelter as well as beauty of the murals of Mudmi patterns of the province’s famous tie-dyed silk. This has been intended for later generations to learn, treasure as well as conserve local architecture, in addition, to being a significant touristic site of the province.
 
Wat Chai Si and Its Murals (วัดไชยศรีและฮูปแต้มสินไซ)
The temple is located at Ban Sawathi, Tambon Sawathi, and, being of archaeological, historical as well as social environmental importance, was declared a national ancient monument on 20 August, 2001. The ordination hall – Sim or Ubosot – of this temple houses magnificent mural paintings, both inside and outside, by a folk artisan from Maha Sarakham known as Thong Thipcha. The building originally had a northeastern roof style with an extended roof on each side. Later, a new roof of the Rattanakosin style replaced the old dilapidated one. In 1993, the Fine Arts Department had the roof extended to provide the murals shelter from sunlight and rain, as well as the surrounding landscape improved. There is also a folk museum nearby where rare folk equipment and utensils of the Northeast are collected. The museum is open daily during 8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Source/More information: http://wikitravel.org/en/Khon_Kaen