Welcome to Thailand, hello to Laos
Published/Last edited on 6th June, 2023.
Straddling the Mekong River within earshot of Laos, Nong Khai is the most popular travel destination in Thailand’s northeastern “Isaan” region. With magnificent landscapes, waterfalls and serene forest temples in the surrounding province, the capital offers a good mix of riverside scenery, affordable accommodation, eclectic food and one quirky yet awe-inspiring sculpture park.
Who will Nong Khai appeal to? Everyone! We love Nong Khai. It was actually the first town we ever spent much time in in Thailand’s northeast, and we still have a soft spot in our heart for it. The riverside is stunning, there is excellent eating and places to stay, and no shortage of stuff to see and do. Go, you’ll love it!
For many, Nong Khai is mainly viewed as a gateway to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, but it’s well worth a few days (or more) in its own right. At the very least, it’s a great place to while away the last few days of your Thai visa before crossing the bridge for some Lao adventures—or simply to buy more time in Thailand. The Thai embassy over in Vientiane is one of the world’s busiest, and many expats linger in Nong Khai for months (or lifetimes) to enjoy the laid-back air and easy border runs.
Head outside of the capital and you’ll pass through pretty riverside villages that seem to stretch on and on. The scenery is stunning in places, with rolling mountains tapering into vast fields of tobacco, papaya and water lilies that often extend to the river’s edge. A manageable motorbike or bus ride to the west of Nong Khai town, the village of Sangkhom boasts waterfalls, caves, mountaintop temples and no shortage of riverside ... Travelfish members only please log in below to continue reading. The full text is around 900 words.)
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Bueng Kan
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Chaiyaphum
Chiang Khan
Dan Sai
Khao Yai National Park
Khon Kaen
Khong Chiam
Loei
Mukdahan
Nakhon Phanom
Nakhon Ratchasima
Phanom Rung
Phimai
Sakhon Nakhon
Sangkhom
Si Saket
Surin
That Phanom
Ubon Ratchathani
Udon Thani
Yasothon
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