Nong Kai is a tourist city on the bank
of the Mekong bordering the Lao People’s Democratic
Republic. It is the gateway to Vientiane, the
capital of Laos, which is only 20 kilometres away.
Nong
Khai is 615 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area
of 7,739 square kilometres. It consists of the
following districts: Mueang Nong Khai, Bueng Kan,
Phon Phisai, Tha Bo, Sangkhom, Seka, So Phisai, Si
Chiang Mai, Phon Charoen, Pak Khat, Bueng Khong
Long, Si Wilai, Bung Khla, Sa Khrai, Rattana Wapi,
Fao Rai and Pho Tak.
Hat Chom Mani
Hat Chom
Mani is a sandy beach on the Mekong River, 2 kilometres
from town. The beach occurs during the dry season in
April. The locals and tourists enjoy a day out here.
Phrathat Bang Phuan
Phrathat
Bang Phuan is at Ban Don Mu, 11 kilometres from town on
the Nong Khai-Udon Thani road, then a road on the right
onto Highway No. 211 to Tha Bo for 10 kilometres. This
old pagoda is 34 metres high and houses the holy relics
of Lord Buddha. It underwent major renovation in 1976
because the original fired brick pagoda collapsed. The
temple still has the old pagoda, temple boundary markers
and an ancient stone inscription. Furthermore, there is
an ancient pool from which water was once used in
blessing past city lords.
Phrathat Nong Khai
Phrathat
Nong Khai collapsed into the Mekong in 1847. Over the
years the pagoda drifted to the centre of the river
where it is seen today.
Prap Ho Monument
Prap Ho
Monument is in front of the provincial hall. It honours
soldiers who died suppressing the Ho rebellion in 1886.
Sala Kaeo Ku
Sala
Kaeo Ku is full of strange statues according to the
belief of a defunct sect. It is 3 kilometres from town
on the way to Phon Phisai. Luang Pu Luea, an old man who
believes all religions should be integrated together,
set up the park in 1978 by allegedly using unskilled
craftsman to carry out fine details. Sala Kaeo Ku
features a large garden of statues depicting Buddhist
and Hindu gods, goddesses, saints devils, and demons, as
well as some secular sculptures.
Tha Sadet
Tha
Sadet is the port for local people crossing the Mekong
River to Tha Duea in Laos. There is a market for
Indo-Chinese and eastern European products, as well as
the province’s local goods.
Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
Thai-Lao
Friendship Bridge is the first international bridge
spanning the Mekong. The bridge was built jointly by the
governments of Australia, Thailand and Laos. It was
opened in April 8, 1994.
Wat Pho Chai
Situated
in Nong Khai town, this temple houses Luang Pho Phra Sai,
a beautiful gold Buddha image most sacred in the
province.
Tha Bo
Luang Pho Phra
Chao Ong Tue
Luang Pho Phra Chao Ong Tue is at Ban Nam Mong at Km.
31 of Highway No. 211, 43 kilometres from Amphoe
Mueang. This Buddha image is 4 metres high and is
made of gold, bronze and silver. It is the work of
craftsmen from northern Thailand and Lan Chang.
Built by Phra Chaiyachettha of Vientiane in 1562,
the image is revered by Thais and Laos.
Sangkhom
Namtok Than Thip
Namtok Than Thip is at Ban Tat Som in Tambon Ban Muang
at Km. 97 on Highway No. 211, then take a left for 2
kilometres. This three-level waterfall is 30
metre-high, 100 metre-high and 70 metre-high,
respectively. It is at its most beautiful in the
rainy season.
Namtok Than Thong
Namtok Than Thong is in Ban Pha Tang at Km. 74 of
Highway No. 211, 11 kilometres before arriving in
Sangkhom district office and 83 kilometres from
Amphoe Mueang. The waterfall is 30 metres high and
falls down to the Mekong. Below is a large pool
suitable for swimming. There is water only in the
rainy season.
Si Wilai
Phu Thok
Phu
Thok is a sandstone mountain 200 metres high
standing all alone in Ban Kham Khaen in Tambon Na
Sabaeng. The monk Phra Achan Chuan Kunchettho
established a meditation centre here by constructing
wooden stairs from the foot of the mountain winding
along the cliff face to the summit. It took more
than 5 years to build. Along the way, visitors can
see many interesting spots, like the rock formation
that is like a tunnel, a cave and the cliff. In
addition, they can enjoy the magnificent view from
high up. To get to Phu Thok from Nong Khai, take
Highway No. 212 past Pho Chai, Pak Khat and Bueng
Kan, then take a right onto Highway No. 222 to Si
Wilai and to Phu Thok, totaling 185 kilometres. A
distance from Bueng Kan to Phu Thok is 46
kilometres.
Bung Khla
Phu Wua Wildlife Reserve
Phu
Wua Wildlife Reserve covers an area of over 180
square kilometres near the Mekong and the Thai-Lao
border. Most of attractions in the area are
waterfalls which are best visited during late rainy
season (from August to November).
Namtok Tham Fun
can be reached by taking Highway No. 212. Turn right
at the sign, 7 kilometres before Bung Khla district
and go along an access road for 4 kilometres.
Namtok Chet Si
is a beautiful waterfall which can be reached by road
via Phu Thok. If travelling along Highway 212, turn
right at the sign, 12 kilometres before Bung Khla
district and continue for 28 kilometres.
Other waterfalls including Namtok Phu Tham Phra
and NamtokChanaen which are difficult
to be reached by road during the rainy season.
Vientiane
Visa
Foreign tourists wishing to visit Laos from Nong Khai
must apply for visas at least 3 working days in
advance at
-
Lao Embassy, 520/1-3 Soi Ramkhamhaeng
39, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, Tel: 0 2539 6667 or
They can use the services of a number of tour
operators in Nong Khai. The visa is valid for 1
month and visitors can extend for additional 2
months.
Visitors to Laos may obtain visas on arrival at the
Immigration Office in Laos and are permitted to
remain in Laos for 15 days.
Transportation
Shuttle bus services crossing the bridge cost 20 baht
per person. From the checkpoint in Laos visitors can
hire a taxi to Vientiane which is 20 kilometres away
and costs 500 baht. The checkpoint is open daily
from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Major attractions in Vientiane are temples, museums,
monuments and a morning market. Package tours cost
approximately 800-1,500 baht for one-day trip and
2,000-2,600 baht for two-day trip. The prices vary
according to the number of people in a group.
Details can be obtained from tour operators in Nong
Khai.
Si Chiang Mai
Wat Hin Mak
Peng
Wat
Hin Mak Peng on the bank of the Mekong is at Ban
Thai Charoen at Km. 64 of Highway No. 211, around 75
kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. The temple used to be
the residence of Luang Pu Thet Thetrangsi, a monk
with followers nationwide. Many Buddhists come here
to meditate.
