Nong Khai
Nong Khai is a city in the northeastern state of Thailand which lies along the Mekong River. In 2007 a bridge was built with sponsor from the Australian Government and completed in 2009 and named Friendship Bridge. It is a get away bridge to Vientiane 25 km up river, after the completion of the bridge many tourist flout over to extended their passport here. Further 300 km north of here is a small town called Luang Prabang an UNESCO village dated 7-8 century.
Phra That La Nong
The Buddhist Lent festival is the most popular time in Nong Khai, with plenty of locals flout to witness the Fire Naga Ball. The fire ball resemble an orange sun rise out from the river to the height of 6-9 meter and disappear after 5-8 second. The Buddhist Lent festival fall on the full moon in October. During full moon tide is always on its peak and Phra That La Nong is almost covered about 90%. On this particular night a mystic fire ball shoot out from the water near this La Nong.
Sala Keoku
The other popular site for tourist is this Sala Keoku Park. The park has similarities with Buddha Park in Laos, in 1978 Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat and his followers started construction, nobody knows why Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat built another on the Thai side. Most of the statues has Buddhism and Hinduism ideology.
Chinese Temple
Mekong River
Historical Site
For travelers whom like to mellow and laze, this is a very good place. When I was there I meet a lot of travelers whom are enjoying the laid back society, communities & environment. During the day light you can just walk around the town or maybe cross over to Laos by bus, spend a day there and come back during the evening. Most of the shops prefer USD. currency in Laos, so be prepared. Feel like mingle with the locals you can pick a interstate bus to Loei overnight, Uttaradit, Phrae or Lampang and subsequently to Chiang Mai. I feel that another 20 yrs down the road these places will be not the same any more, with all the developments.
Tips:
Nong Khai is easy to visit, just a night train from Bangkok to the last stop at Nong
Khai in the morning. Railway station to the town center is just about 4-5 km. There are a numbers of economical guest house, chose near the river, during the night there is a popular restaurant in the city center, walking distance, and a small night market, a few bars. Railway fare USD25.from Bangkok. Tutut to the city center Bhd 50-80.
