What if you could enjoy a small, comfortable Thai city with low-cost of living; friendly locals; and virtually no Westerners or expats? A place that’s like visiting the country before it was hit by the massive tourist boom? Well you can. Khon Kaen is a relaxing, interesting destination off the beaten path.

It’s a place with cute girls, cheap (and delicious) food, and very affordable hotels or apartments.

I you’re used to Bangkok and want something new, this might be an excellent choice.

I’ll explain why.

Why Visit Khon Kaen?

(Phu Kradung National Park)

When it comes to cities in Thailand, most people know Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chang Mai. For your average traveler, the rest of the country is a mystery.

I’ve visited Thailand since 2016 and didn’t know about any cities besides the “Big Three” until last year.

So it’s easy to overlook many secondary locations. And that’s a mistake.

While Khon Kaen is not a place you should base your entire vacation around, it is a fantastic city to check out if you’re already living in Asia or Thailand long-term.

Here’s why:

• Phu Kradung – If you like hiking or the outdoors, this is an awesome mountain to check out.
• Buying silk – You can buy high-quality authentic silk here for pennies.
• Relaxing environment – Not as hectic as Bangkok or Saigon.
• Cheap – Low prices (think new construction apartments for under $400 per month) make it easy to live here long-term. Great for digital nomads perpetual expats.
• Friendly women – Not many foreign guys here, so local girls pay extra attention to you.
• Ease of travel – Bangkok is a one hour plane ride away, and Khon Kaen is near the border of Laos, if you want to visit there.

Overall, this is just a fun, relaxing place that’s a welcome departure from the typical Asian mega-city.

Where To Stay In Khon Kaen

(Gasser Park Apartments – Khon Kaen)

Because this city is smaller than Bangkok, you don’t get the same public transportation choices. There’s no intricate train networks or easy to use skywalks. Because of this, you’ll want to stay downtown near the main shopping centers and restaurants.

There are many different options, but Gasser Park Apartments is a place I recommend due to the modern design; helpful staff; and great location.

If you’re looking for something else, check out Agoda.com for more listings. You’ll find a whole ton of choices (from super budget hostels to high-end luxury hotels) with something to suit every need and style.

But like I said, for me personally, Gasser Park is an excellent value.

Things To Do Here

Khon Kaen is a lot like Da Lat, Vietnam. It’s a smaller city surrounded by nature. As such, you can go hiking or sightseeing in the nearby mountains. And, there are several lakes, markets, and temples to enjoy. Aside from this, there are also restaurants and shopping malls.

Personally, I like doing nature stuff in the mornings, reading and working at the local cafes in the afternoon, and then lining up dates in the evening.

Like I said, this is a very laid back place and you’re free to enjoy yourself in a leisurely manner.

Where To Meet Girls In Khon Kaen?

(Sample Of Girls Using Thai Friendly)

Khon Kaen is part of the Isaan province. This is the area where a lot of hot girls you see in Bangkok come from. Personally, I think Isaan women are some of the most attractive Thais and it was exciting to visit a city full of them.

Since Khon Kaen is a smaller city, there isn’t the same nightlife scene as a place like Bangkok or Pattaya. There are some bars and clubs, but I personally found it much easier to simply message girls online. Being a foreigner puts you at a huge advantage anyway, so a lot of women are happy to message you and set up dates.

In terms of sites or apps, I recommend the following:

• Tinder – Works especially well if you’re in-shape.
• Thai Friendly – Free to use and very active with locals.
• ThaiCupid – Popular throughout the entire country and well worth joining.

Any of these tools will be more than enough to land multiple dates.

Final Thoughts

Khon Kaen is a neat little out of the way city and definitely worth a look if you’re growing tired of “Big Three” destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chang Mai. There’s a ton of cool nature stuff around town, the cost of living is very reasonable, and you’re surrounded by cute and friendly women.

Give it a look the next time you’re looking for an off the beaten path type of adventure.