a sunset over a river with mountains in the background

Nong Khai

A Mekong river town with a sculpture park of giant Buddhist and Hindu figures and a bridge into Laos.

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Nong Khai is a city in northeast Thailand, on the Thai bank of the Mekong River across from Laos. It is the capital of Nong Khai province, about 626 km (389 mi) north of Bangkok by road and about 60 km (37 mi) north of Udon Thani. The First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge crosses the river here and carries road and rail traffic to Vientiane, the Lao capital, about 25 km (16 mi) upriver. It works as a stop on an overland route to Laos.

The main sight is Sala Keoku, a park of sculptures, some over 20 meters tall, that mixes Buddhist and Hindu themes, including Buddhas, many-armed goddesses and a seven-headed Naga. The mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat created it after buying the land in 1978, following his exile from Laos. Naga fireballs, glowing lights that rise 6 to 9 meters from the Mekong, are most often seen around the full moon in October during Buddhist Lent. The climate is tropical savanna, with a dry winter, so the months from November to February suit a visit best.

Nong Khai in five

Take the train or fly into Udon ThaniNight trains reach Nong Khai from Bangkok in roughly ten to twelve hours, while Udon Thani Airport is about an hour south by van. Book sleeper berths ahead for holidays.Getting around Thailand
Check Lao entry rules before crossingThe Friendship Bridge crosses to Laos, and Vientiane is a short ride. Lao visa rules vary by passport, so check them before you travel, and read the Thailand entry rules for your return.Thailand entry rules
See Sala Keoku in the morningThe sculpture park of giant concrete figures is a short ride from town and an eccentric, popular stop. Go early for light and fewer tour groups.
Eat at the riverside and night marketsThe Mekong promenade and the market near the pier are the evening scene, with grilled fish and sticky rice. Hours vary, so check on the day.
Time the Naga fireballs only if you canA river phenomenon near the end of Buddhist Lent, usually around October, draws crowds. The date moves with the lunar calendar, so check it before you book.Northeastern Thailand

Things to do in Nong Khai

See all attractions in Nong Khai

Children in traditional thai costumes at a festival

Park · Nong KhaiSala Keo Kou

Museum · Nong KhaiNong Khai Museum

Outdoor restaurant seating with heart decoration

Aquarium · Nong KhaiNong Khai Aquarium

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Nong KhaiPut the places you like in Nong Khai on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Udon Thani (UTH), about 1 hour by van; Nong Khai has a small airport
Getting there: Night train from Bangkok; buses and vans from Udon Thani
Getting around: Tuk-tuks, bicycles and walking along the river
Best base: Riverside near the market and promenade
Time needed: 1–2 nights; 3 with Vientiane or Udon Thani

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Cool, dry
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Warm, dry
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh35°Low24°Hot, dry
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh36°Low26°Hottest, Songkran
MayRain22 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°Hot, rains start
JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Rainy
JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Rainy
AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Rainy
SeptemberRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Rainy
OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Naga season
NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Cool, clear
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low18°Cool, dry

Average daily high and low in Nong Khai, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Nong Khai

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 45%

Nong Khai

08:01 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today32°24°45%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 45%.
Wed32°24°35%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 35%.
Thu32°24°47%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 47%.
Fri31°24°75%Friday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
Sat31°23°37%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 37%.
Sun32°23°16%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 16%.
Mon31°23°16%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 07:36 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Vientianeabout 30–45 minutes by bus across the bridgeLaos's capital, with temples and markets; check visa rules.
Udon Thaniabout 1 hour by vanAirport city with a market and the Ban Chiang archaeological site.Read the guide
Phu Kradueng National Parkabout 3–4 hours by roadA plateau hike in Loei Province.Read the guide

Before you go to Nong Khai

Train or bus to Nong KhaiBangkok, Udon Thani and VientianeCompare transport

Riverside guesthousesMekong views and night marketsCheck availability

eSIM for Nong KhaiData for trains, bridge and LaosRead the guide

Insurance for Laos crossingsCheck cover across the borderRead the guide

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Rules for Nong Khai, checked

Check whether your passport allows visa-free entry to Thailand on the Thai Immigration Bureau site before you book, since the rules can change.Source
Entering Laos over the Friendship Bridge requires a Lao visa or a visa on arrival, so check the Lao rules before you go.
Save the local emergency numbers in your phone before you travel, and ask the Tourist Police for help if you need it.
Cover shoulders and knees and take off your shoes before entering a temple hall, including at Wat Sisaket.
Insulting the monarchy is a crime in Thailand, including in online posts, so keep comments about the royal family out of your posts and messages.

Plan around Nong Khai

All of Thailand

Islands, cities and the north beyond Nong Khai

Read the guide Udon Thani

Airport city and Ban Chiang day trips

Read the guide Northeastern Thailand

Isan region overview

Read the guide Ubon Ratchathani

Eastern Isan city on the Mun River

Read the guide Phu Kradueng National Park

Plateau hike in Loei Province

Read the guide Best time to visit Thailand

Northeast cool-season window

Read the guide

Nong Khai FAQ

How do you get from Bangkok to Nong Khai?

By overnight sleeper train, roughly ten to twelve hours, or by flight to Udon Thani and a van of about an hour. Trains book out around holidays.

Can you cross to Laos from Nong Khai?

Yes, via the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane. Lao visa rules depend on your passport, so check them before you go.

How many days do you need in Nong Khai?

One or two nights covers the river, Sala Keoku and the night market. Add a day for Vientiane or Udon Thani.

What is Sala Keoku?

A sculpture park of large concrete figures near Nong Khai, built by a mystic artist. It is a short ride from town and best visited in the morning.

When is the best time to visit Nong Khai?

November to February is cool and dry. March to May is hot, and the rainy season brings river views but humidity.