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Nong Khai Mapped Out!

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Nong Khai Map is your online guide to Nong Khai, a busy town in the north-east of Thailand (Issan or Isan). Nong Khai map also provides a popular tourist magazine, detailed maps of the region and community forum.
Enjoy your stay in Nong Khai Thailand.

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Useful Numbers:
Tourist Police: 042-460186 or 1155
Fire or Ambulance 191
Directory Assistance 1133, 183
Highway Police 1193
Public Relations Office 042-412110
Administration Office 042-411778
Police Stations 042-411021 or 411071
Nong Khai Hospital 042-413456-8
Wattana Hospital 042-465201
Immigration Sub Division 042-411605
Customs area 042-411518/421207
Bus Station 042-411612
Train Station 042-411637/411592
Tourist Information (TAT) 042-421326

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About Nong Khai PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sean   
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 18:40

Overview of Nong Khai

Located in North-East Thailand, the city of Nong Khai has great cultural and historical value to Thailand, which is the leading tourist destination in Southeast Asia.  As the capital of Nong Khai Province, Nong Khai city is also a prime geographical location and serves as the gateway to neighboring Laos.

Nong Khai sits on the western bank of the Mekong River, one of the major rivers in the world, which inter-connects with six countries: Thailand, Laos, China, Burma and Vietnam. However, given the fact that the Mekong River is extremely difficult to navigate, the river has actually divided those who live along its perimeter instead of uniting them. After the Vietnam War, the Mekong River was a frequent source of conflict between the US-backed Thai government and the communist governments of China, Vietnam and Laos.

Nong Khai is the site of the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which crosses the Mekong River and connects to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The bridge was built in 1994. Before that, trade and commerce between Thailand and Laos was conducted by boat. The Friendship Bridge brought a new era of economic and political harmony between the two nations, especially after Laos had moved beyond its Communist past.

The main tourist attraction in Nong Khai is the Sala Keoku, which is also spelt as Sala Kaew Ku and known to locals as Wat Khaek. It is a massive park said to have been built by the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, who purchased the land in 1978. The park is filled with huge sculptures standing over 20 feet that reflect both Buddhist and Hinduist ideologies. Many of the statues depict Buddha, a seven-headed Naga snake, goddesses with several arms and various hybrids of humans and animals.

Nong Khai is often described as a sleepy town where the influence of Laos and other neighboring countries is strong. Nong Khai hosts a number of Chinese, Lao and Vietnamese communities.

The locals are fluent in the Thai language but have a local dialect of their own, known as Isaan, which is a mix between the Thai and Lao languages. Many people in Nong Khai are familiar with the English language and can speak it a little bit, especially with regard to tourism-related words. If you're a foreign tourist, one of the best ways to communicate with the locals is by smiling and being polite. They are generally a very friendly people.

Last Updated on Friday, 26 June 2009 00:04
 
Getting to and around Nong Khai PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sean   
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 18:29

Getting To and Around Nong Khai

The closest airport to Nong Khai is located in Udon Thani, about 56 kms from the city. It is serviced by Thai Airways, Air Asia and Nok Air, which has flights from Bangkok to the Udon Thani airport.

From the airport, tourists can take the shuttle bus to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. Shuttle buses make this trip four times a day. Taxis and minibuses can take the tourists from the bridge to Nong Khai proper.

There are also hourly bus trips from the BKS station in Udon Thani to Prajak road in Nong Khai but none of the buses are air-conditioned. The trip is an hour long and costs around 30 baht.

It’s also possible to take the bus from Bangkok to Nong Khai, but it’s a nine hour ride. There are several departures a day. Fare is around 4-500 baht.

The train from Bangkok to Nong Khai has stops in Khon Kaen and Udon Thani and takes around 10 to 12 hours. A first-class ticket costs about 1,200 baht, while a second-class ticket is about 700 baht. If you’re traveling by train, it’s best to book your tickets in advance.

Once you get to Nong Khai, most tourists prefer to travel by foot or on a bicycle. Renting a bicycle for a day costs around 30 baht. There are also motorbikes available for about 200 baht a day. You can usually negotiate prices if you’re going to be renting the vehicle for more than a day.

Aside from bicycles and motorbikes, your only other option for traveling around Nong Khai is the tuk-tuk which costs only 20-30 baht per head for a trip to anywhere in the city centre. A tuk-tuk ride to the Friendship Bridge will cost a minimum of 70 baht if there’s only one passenger. Most tuk-tuk drivers will try to overcharge tourists, but it’s easy to bargain as long as you’re polite, patient and you have a nice smile.

Last Updated on Friday, 26 June 2009 00:13
 
History of Nong Khai PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sean   
Friday, 22 May 2009 11:27
The History of Nong Khai
by NongKhaiMap.com © 2009

This history of Nong Khai can be traced back to the Haw Wars between 1865 and 1890. During that time, Chinese warriors known as Flag Gangs plundered large areas of Laos and Tonkin (now northern Vietnam).The Chinese Black Flags and their rival Yellow Flags set up bases in these areas.

To aid its neighbors, Thailand (then known as Siam), sent military forces to Nong Khai.

In 1875, the first of these forces crossed the Mekong river to engage the Flag Gangs, succeeding in capturing the base at Chiang Kham. Before they could be defeated, the remaining Flag Gangs retreated to the mountains.

To maintain security in the area, the Siamese force remained in Nong Khai. From there, a series of small towns emerged to form the boundaries of modern-day Nong Khai. These towns included Pakho, Phai, Wiang Khuk, and Phran Phrao.

Many temples from these ancient towns still survive to this day, particularly on the Tha Bo to Si Chiang Mai route along the Mekong river.

Up until that time, the area was not yet known as Nong Khai. That name was given to the area during the time of King Rama III.

When King Rama III ruled Vientiane during the Rattanakosin era, a rebellion was staged against the King by Chao Anuwong. Thao Suwothanma, the ruler of Yasothon, helped King Rama’s army crush this rebellion.

In gratitude, King Rama made Thao Suwothanma the ruler of a new town that would rise at the right bank of the Mekong River were the town known as Phai was located.

The new town became known as Nong Khai, which got its name from a huge pond located west of the town.

Today, Nong Khai is basically a border town that revolves around the traffic of such locations. The city has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years and, today, has the full backing of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 June 2009 18:01
 

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