Khon Kaen (Thai ขอนแก่น) is a city in Isan, Thailand. It is also the capital of Khon Kaen province and the Khon Kaen district.

Regional importance

Khon Kaen is a regional center for education, financial institutions, government offices and transportation. The city is also an industrial center, especially for the region's silk trade, as well as an agricultural hub.[1] Khon Kaen has played host to a number of regional conferences, such as the Asean Regional Forum and United Nations meetings. It is also the home of Rajamangala University and Khon Kaen University—the largest university in the Northeast, with a student population of around 20,000.

Presently Khon Kaen is one of the major cities under Thailand's National Economic and Social Plan, along with Chiang Mai, Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chonburi.

Strategically important for the Isan region's infrastructure, Khon Kaen Airport was raised to international standards in 2005 with the opening of a new terminal. At peak times of the year there may be as many as 20 scheduled flights per day at Khon Kaen, making it one of the country's busiest domestic airports. As of 2006, two budget airlines and the national carrier operate scheduled daily morning, midday and evening flights. Direct international services are expected to start in 2007.

The city is bisected by the Mithraphap Highway—also known as 'Friendship Highway'or Highway 2, the road linking Bangkok with Laos. A modern, multi-lane by-pass enables through traffic to avoid the city centre to the west and connects to the airport and to the main roads to Kalasin and Mahasarakham in the east and Udon Thani in the north.

The city can be easily navigated by driving along either of the two north-south main roads—Na Muang and Klang Muang, which are located East and parallel to the Friendship Highway. In addition, there are two main east-west roads—Srichan Road and Prachasamosorn Road, leading East to the city of Kalasin, and West to the airport, as well as to other small villages.

Tourism and recreation

Khon Kaen has some noteworthy Buddhist temples. On the south side of the city and East of the Friendship highway, there is a beautiful lake—Bueng Kaen Nakhon, with a diverse range of places for entertainment. The lake offers paddle boats for rent on the Northwest side and at night there is a lively night market buzzing with activity where one can buy an assortment of food, clothing and various souvenirs. The lake has a paved running path, which many people use during the evening. Also, there are free outdoor aerobics classes at various points around the lake for any age group, as well as ping pong tables (table tennis), and other recreation areas.