About Khon Kaen 

Khon Kaen is located in the center of Isaan (Northeasterm Thailand), 219 km from Korat, 213 km from Nong Khai, 295 km from Nakhon Phanom, 292 km from Ubon Ratchathani and 227 km from Phetchabun (and 444 km from Bangkok). The Isaan is named after the Hindu God of Death "Ishana", and covers an area of 170.000 square kilometers.

Approx. 1/3 of Thailands population live in Isaan.The area around Khon Kaen has been inhabited several thousands of years ago (Dvaravati-Period), and Khon Kaen itself has been founded during the reign of King RAMA I in the year 1783.

In the 60's amd 70's (during the Vietnam War) the Isaan has been a crucial point of communist activities. With the help of military- and social measures, the government in Bangkok (financially supported by the USA) was able to turn down the influence of the Communist Party.
Because of Khon Kaen's central location, many infrastructural projects have been implemented, like Khon Kaen University, R.I.T, Highschools, Hospitals, Northeastern Railway, Airport and Friendship Highway...

Isaan People

People in Khon Kaen speak  "Isaan". This dialect is quite similar to the Lao language.  They can easily talk with their Laotian neighbours, but people from Bangkok have difficulties understanding their fellow-countrymen.

All schools teach in Thai language, and most people in Isaan understand, speak and write Thai.
Most signs and menus are in Thai language only, some have a, sometimes funny,  (Thai-)English translation (so don't be astonished to read in the menu of your favorite restaurant things like "garbage" instead of "cabbage")

The culture, like the music, dances and serveral cultural buildings, is influenced by the affiliation to the Khmer empire (Cambodia).

Khon Kaen City has approx. 200.000 inhabitants, greater Khon Kaen area around 350.000.

Economy

Khon Kaen is the capital of Khon Kaen Province, the most important traffic junction in Isaan. The city is located at the intersection of Friendship Highway (Mithraparp Rd.) / Highway 12, and has its own Airport and Railway Station (Northeastern Line).
About 60% of the Khon Kaen area (Province) is used for agriculture, mostly paddyfields.
Costs of living are, compared to other cities, relatively low. Tourism is just in an initial stage.

Khon Kaen is the Norteastern Administration- and Education center, and belongs to the 9 industrial cities of Thailand;  most companies are SME's

Climate

Summer starts mid of February and ends end of May. Temperatures are often above 40°C, at a modest humidity.

The rainig season starts end of May, and ends in October. August/September are the months with the most, sometimes excessive, rainfall. That does not mean it is raining all the time. Normaly you can expect rain 2-3 times a day. Then many roads are flooded, because the insufficient (and often not well maintained) sewerage can not take up all the downpours.

The best time to travel Isaan is in Winter, from November unti February. Temperatures are lower than normal, the raining season just ended, so plants and flower are growing (important if you plan to visit  national parks).