About Khon Kaen Province
Khon Kaen is the commercial and educational heart of Isaan, anchored by Khon Kaen University and a fast-growing city centre around Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake. It blends modern malls and night markets with strong Isaan identity — mor lam music, sticky rice cuisine, and Khmer-era heritage nearby. The province is also a key transport hub on the route between Bangkok and the Mekong, making it a practical base for exploring the wider region.
Key facts
- Population
- 1,794,531 (2020)
- Area
- 10,886 km²
- Density
- 165 / km²
- Districts
- 26
- Capital
- Khon Kaen
- ISO code
- TH-40
- Airport
- Khon Kaen Airport (KKC)
All 26 districts
Ban Fang · Ban Haet · Ban Phai · Chonnabot · Chum Phae · Khao Suan Kwang · Khok Pho Chai · Kranuan · Mancha Khiri · Mueang Khon Kaen · Nam Phong · Non Sila · Nong Na Kham · Nong Ruea · Nong Song Hong · Phon · Phra Yuen · Phu Pha Man · Phu Wiang · Pueai Noi · Sam Sung · Si Chomphu · Ubolratana · Waeng Noi · Waeng Yai · Wiang Kao
Top Highlights
Bueng Kaen Nakhon, a large urban lake ringed by parks, temples and evening food stalls
Wat Nong Wang and its nine-tiered Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon stupa with city views
Khon Kaen National Museum and the Phu Wiang dinosaur fossil sites and museum
Lively walking street and Ton Tann night market showcasing Isaan food and crafts
Getting There
Khon Kaen Airport has multiple daily flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi), taking about an hour. Overnight and daytime trains from Bangkok Hua Lamphong/Krung Thep Aphiwat take 6–8 hours, and express buses from Mo Chit run frequently and reach the city in around 6–7 hours.
Inside Khon Kaen
Districts (26)
Ban Fang ·Ban Haet ·Ban Phai ·Chonnabot ·Chum Phae ·Khao Suan Kwang ·Khok Pho Chai ·Kranuan ·Mancha Khiri ·Mueang Khon Kaen ·Nam Phong ·Non Sila ·Nong Na Kham ·Nong Ruea ·Nong Song Hong ·Phon ·Phra Yuen ·Phu Pha Man ·Phu Wiang ·Pueai Noi ·Sam Sung ·Si Chomphu ·Ubolratana ·Waeng Noi ·Waeng Yai ·Wiang Kao
Mapped in Khon Kaen
488 places of interest recorded in OpenStreetMap. Coverage is contributed by volunteers and varies by area, so treat these as a guide to what is mapped rather than a complete inventory.
- 329Temples
- 84Attractions
- 33Markets
- 19Historic sites
- 9Museums
- 5Viewpoints
- 4Waterfalls
- 4Family attractions
- 1Beaches
Named examples
- Khon Kaen National Museum
- Wiwektham Temple
- Wat Thung Setthi
- Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum
- Wat Pa Ban Kok
- Art and Culture University Museum
- Wat Pa Non Muang
- Wat Pa Maha Wana Ram
© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Harvested 2026-08-01.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore more Thai provinces
Browse all 76 province guides
Sources
Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.
- 1.Q327533 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
- 2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
- 3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026
Was this page helpful?
ThailandKnowledge Editorial Team
Factual claims on this page are sourced and dated. Where something could not be verified, we say so rather than guessing.
Our editorial standards