Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today

Phra That Kham Kaen

A centuries-old Lao-style chedi an hour out of the city, best caught early before the heat sets in.

4.7(2,697)
Directions

Plan your visit

Hours
Daily 05:00–19:00

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.

Details

Full opening hours
Monday05:00–19:00
Tuesday05:00–19:00
Wednesday05:00–19:00
Thursday05:00–19:00
Friday05:00–19:00
Saturday05:00–19:00
Sunday05:00–19:00

Why go, and how to do it well

Come for the chedi and the quiet, not for a day out. This is a Lao-style stupa in Ban Kham village, believed to hold relics of the Buddha, and it carries real weight with people across Isan. What makes it worth the drive is what it isn't. There's no commercial circus around it, no gauntlet of stalls to walk through. Just open grounds, a decorated chedi, and pilgrims making offerings.

You can see the whole site in half an hour if you're brisk, so I'd slow down. Walk the grounds, look properly at the detail on the chedi, watch what people are doing rather than photographing it from ten paces. Buddhist holidays and local festivals bring merit-making crowds from all over the region, which is a completely different experience and worth timing for if you can. Otherwise, early morning. Gates open at 05:00 and the light before eight is far kinder than the midday glare on open ground.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026

Stay within reach of Phra That Kham Kaen

Sponsored

Search Khon Kaen hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.

See hotels near Phra That Kham Kaen

Opens Booking.com with your dates

Also compare on Expedia · Trip.com

Tours that include Phra That Kham Kaen

Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Phra That Kham Kaen.

Sponsored · GetYourGuide

Experience hints

Visitor favorite

Ban Kham, Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen 40140, Thailand

Open in Google Maps

Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture

Mind Your Feet

Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.

Ask Before Photographing

Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.

Go Early Morning

Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.

Phra That Kham Kaen: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phra That Kham Kaen worth visiting?

Phra That Kham Kaen holds a 4.7★ rating from 2,697 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Khon Kaen.

What are the opening hours of Phra That Kham Kaen?

Phra That Kham Kaen is typically open 05:00–19:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.

When is the best time to visit Phra That Kham Kaen?

The best months to visit Khon Kaen are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in Songkran & the December Silk Festival — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (Isan's hottest months, highs around 35–36°C).

Where is Phra That Kham Kaen located?

Phra That Kham Kaen is at Ban Kham, Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen 40140, Thailand, in Khon Kaen. Getting around Khon Kaen: Songthaews on fixed city routes (฿10–15); Grab (well covered — this is a real city).

Also popular in Khon Kaen

Ton Tann Market

Ton Tann Market

4.6(6,969)
281, 58 หมู่ที่ 17 Thanon Mittraphap, Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Khon Kaen, Chang Wat Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
Khon Kaen's after-dark living room, with Isan food, live bands, and a crowd that's mostly local.
CQK Hotpot Khon Kaen

CQK Hotpot Khon Kaen

5.0(2,186)$$$$
ชั้น G 99 เซ็นทรัล ขอนแก่น 99/1 Sri Chan Rd, Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Khon Kaen, Chang Wat Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
Chongqing-style hotpot in the mall, built for groups who want to sit and cook and talk for hours.
Rest and Relax Health Massage

Rest and Relax Health Massage

4.9(366)
88 17 Sri Chan Rd, Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Khon Kaen, Chang Wat Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
A highly regarded massage and wellness studio in central Khon Kaen, open daily from 9am to 10pm.
Khonkaen Exotic Pets and Fountain show

Khonkaen Exotic Pets and Fountain show

4.2(822)
888 ซอย นวลหง Tambon Sila, Amphoe Mueang Khon Kaen, Chang Wat Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
A quirky Khon Kaen attraction combining exotic animal exhibits with a choreographed fountain show.

Similar Temples & Culture across Thailand

Wat Pa Ban Tad

Wat Pa Ban Tad

4.8(2,788)
7QWH+W77, Ban Tat, Mueang Udon Thani District, Udon Thani 41000, Thailand
A working forest monastery on Udon Thani's edge, quiet woodland and real practice, not a photo stop.
Phimai Historical Park

Phimai Historical Park

4.6(8,891)
6FCW+F29, Nai Mueang, Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30110, Thailand
Khmer stonework that predates Angkor Wat, and you can have it almost to yourself on a weekday morning.
Phraya Nakhon Cave

Phraya Nakhon Cave

4.7(5,120)
บ้านบางปู, Tambon Sam Roi Yot, Amphoe Sam Roi Yot, Chang Wat Prachuap Khiri Khan 77120, Thailand
Earn it with a steep climb, then watch sunlight drop through the ceiling onto a royal pavilion.
Yuttanavi Memorial Monument at Ko Chang

Yuttanavi Memorial Monument at Ko Chang

4.3(757)
23120 Anuson Sathan, Tambon Laem Ngop, Amphoe Laem Ngop, Chang Wat Trat 23120, Thailand
A solemn naval memorial near Koh Chang commemorating a significant WWII-era sea battle in Thai history.