Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0 4333 2113;
www.thaidreamtours.com
)
Gregarious owner-guide Veena has made meditation
tours her speciality, but she does all kinds of trips. She also arranges casual cooking
classes (1500B per person) on Thursdays (Isan food) and Fridays (Thai food).
TOURS
Khon Kaen Education & Travel Programs
( 08 3359 9115;
www.kketp.com
)
Aimed mostly at leisure travellers. Offers quiet-water kayak-
ing on the Nam Phong River near Ubonrat Dam.
Festivals
The
Silk Fair
and
Phuk Siaw Festival
are held simultaneously over 12 days starting in late
November. Centred on the
săh·lah glahng,
the festival celebrates and seeks to preserve the
tradition of 'phuk siaw' (friend bonding), a ritual union of friends during which
fâi pòok
kăan
(sacred threads) are tied around one's wrists. More than just a symbolic act, the
friends gain a standing on par with siblings in each other's families. Other activities in-
clude a parade, Isan music and lots of shopping.
Sleeping
Chonlada
( 08 1873 1387; Soi Supatheera; r 300-400B; )
A small, simple spot with decent new
rooms at an excellent price. The soi is pretty quiet and the ever-smiling owners round out
the experience.
HOTEL
$
Saen Samran Hotel
HOTEL
$
( 0 4323 9611; Th Glang Meuang; r 220-340B; )
The city's oldest hotel is also its most
charismatic, with the wooden upper floor clinging to its once-upon-a-time glory. The
rooms are worn but clean and the owner is a good source of Khon Kaen advice.
Charoenchit House
HOTEL
$
( 0 4322 7300; Th Chuanchun; r incl breakfast 500-600B; )
A solid budget choice, just
north of the lake. The rooms are attractively decorated and have a fair amount of va-va-
voom for the price.