Nong Khai is on top of the Isaan area and on southern side of the Mekong River.   Nong Khai is connected to Laos by near the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge #1, which supports foot, vehicular and train traffic into Laos.  Nong Khai is over 600 kms north of Bangkok and 60 km north of Udon Thani. With the location so far north, Nong Khai makes a great destination for the Thai winter, when it has comfortable days and very cool nights. The area in the city along the river has been developed for walking and enjoying the views of the Mekhong River, which are just fantastic. This area often has night time activities of bands, food and fun activities for kids. This area also has a variety of restaurants, many floating on the river. 

There are some interesting sights to see in Nong Khai:


On the far east end of the Nong Khai River Walk is the Pratad Lha Nhong Temple.

Towards the middle of the River Walk and just south is the Tha Sadet Market which specializes in products from Indochina and East Europe, including dried food, processed food, and utensils, such as electric appliances, clothes, watches, kitchenware, etc.

Nong Khai Friendship Bridge

Wat Pho Chai

Sala Keoku Park or Buddha Park

Wat Phu Thok is not an easy place to visit due the remoteness of this destination being about a 2.5 hour drive east of Nong Khai.   The Temple is at the base of a large sandstone outcrop that juts steeply out of the Thailand Isaan Northern Plains.  You see the outcrop long before you arrive for it is quite prominent in the surrounding landscape.  The Temple is only the gathering point for the Monks of the Temple and many of the Monks spend their days on the Mountain meditating. 

If you do not let the drive discourage you, you will not be disappointed but be prepared for a bit of a Climb.  Most of the temple area is not on the hill and the temple area on the ground is also a pretty nice experience.  But behind the temple rises these cliffs which have a walkway built into.  I have no idea how safe the walkway really is but for me it looked pretty scary.  I am sure people have various tolerances for these types of things and you can choose the really scary or a somewhat less boring trail around the other side.  Once on top, you afforded amazing views of the surrounding area.