frontier town on the right side of the Mekong River bank or northeastern
part of Thailand. It is located at some 616 kilometers from Bangkok.
Nongkhai city
is at the end of the Highway number 2 (Mittraparb Highway) and the northeast train from Bangkok.
When
you arrive to Nongkhai, by rail it is a very comfortable trip , most knoweledgble travellers
opting for the 7 pm sleeper train costing around 500 Bt arriving next morning around 8-30. am.
Also very good Aircon Tour coaches leave from Bangkok Morchit , Pattaya Central Rd
and Chaing Mai bus terminal arriving next morning.
When you arrive by bus or train or other
land transportation, the first thing you'll see is the driver of a "tuk tuk" a three wheel motor bike
taxi yelling "YOU, TUK TUK", roughly translated means,
"Get in my tuk tuk and I take you somwhere you don't want to go."
Typical tuk-tuk fare to the city from the Nong Khai Train Station is 30 Baht and from the Nong Khai Bus
Station is 20 Baht. This price is at least 10 Bt more than locals pay.
Nong Khai
is located along the Mae Khong river, and is only 24 km from Vientiane, the capital of Loas,
on the opposite side of the river. The Thai - Lao Friendship bridge spans the Mae Khong river from
Ban Jommani (3 km from Nong Khai) to Tha Dua (19 km from Vientiane) on the Lao side.
Nongkhai's attractions include long history, the local people's generosity, nature, society and culture
including being a major port and frontier city. Social conditions reflect country feature. The population
are mostly farm with a simple way of life and high but unofficial emotional attachment.
People have a firm believe in teaching and practices of Buddhism that had existed since many years back.
Many local religious ceremonies and rites are still in existence. There are 896 Buddhist temples. 3,670 monks
are 3,315 novices.
Nongkhai has a natural environment that
is suitable for farming which cause a large migration
of people from nearby areas, especially from the central Isan area. This has caused a mixture of local and migrants'
culture and custom.
Nong Khai is well worth a visit with many attractions around and outside city.
The city has a row of old buildings of French - Chinese architecture along Meechai rd.
One of the most interesting places is the Tha Sadet, market stalls with goods brought in from
Laos Vietnam,Cambodia and China.
Luang Por Phra Sai
The major Buddha image of Nongkhai, is enshrined at Wat Pho Chai, The golden,
sacred Buddha image is very beautiful and worshipped by people.
Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
The first friendship bridge spanning among two countries cross Mekong river.
The corporation project between 3 countries of Thailand, Democratic People's Republic of Laos and Australia.
The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is situated in Nongkhai city opposit Tha Na Leang of Lao PDR.
Wat Khek (Sala Kaew Koo)
The grounds of this unusual temple are filled withstrange statuary depicting scenes and character from
Buddhist and Hindu lore. Some of the works defy explanations. In an exhibition hall there are pictures of the
founder of the temple, Luang Pho Bunleua, and a large collection of wooden and bronze images of Hindu and
other deities. The temple is 4 km from the Nongkhai on Nongkhai-Poanpisai Road.
Tha Sadet Market (Indochina Market)
It used to be the pier where tourists and local merchants among two countries cross the Mekong river to Lao PDR.
After the official open of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge this area is now a shopping area where visitors may find
various souvenirs and products from Indochina countries and Lao PDR.
