Nong Khai Province (Jangwat Nong Khai) is located within the North-Eastern Isaan Region of Thailand and covers an area of 7,332 Sq km.
To the south, Nong Khai neighbours the provinces of (from west to east) Loei(202km), Udon Thani(51km), Sakon Nakhon(210km) and Nakhon Phanom(303km). The northern boundary of Nong Khai Province, formed by the Mekong River (Mae Nam Kong), is 320 km long and also represents the border between Thailand and Laos.

The Province of Nong Khai consists of 17 districts (amphoe), 115 subdistricts (tambon) and 1099 villages (ban).

Districts and their distances from Nong Khai 1. Mueang Nong Khai 2. Sakhrai (27km) 3. Tha Bo (42km) 4. Si Chiang Mai (57km) 5. Pho Tak (71km) 6. Sangkhom (95km) 7. Phon Phisai (45km) 8. Fao Rai (71km) 9. Rattanawapi (71km) 10. So Phisai (90km) 11. Pak Khat (90km) 12. Bueng Kan (136km) 13. Phon Charoen (182km) 14. Si Wilai (163km) 15. Seka (224km) 16. Bung Khla (181km) 17. Bueng Khong Long (238km)
Larger versions of these and other maps can be found in our maps section.

Nong Khai town (the provincial capital), 615km North of Bangkok, sits on the Mekong River and is only 25km from Vientiane, the Capital of Laos. In fact, Nong Khai is also the busiest border crossing point to Laos due to the "First Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge" which was opened on April 8, 1994. It had been constructed at a cost of around US$30million, funded by the Australian government as development aid to Laos. The official name of the bridge was changed with the addition of "First" after the "Second Laos-Thai Friendship Bridge" was opened further south in January 2007, linking Thailand's Mukdahan province with Lao's Savannakhet Province.

Since opening, the First Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge had just been a road link between Laos and Thailand. That changed on March 5th 2009, however, with the formal inauguration of the Nong Khai to Vientiane Rail link by Her Majesty Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, second daughter of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. It means that there is now a twice daily rail service from Nong Khai to Vientiane, making the journey from Nong Khai to the Laotian Capital all the more effortless. This rail link is also the first major operational railway anywhere in Laos, although a short portage line once existed.

Despite it's busy border point, Nong Khai town is peaceful with a very laid back atmosphere. Many visitors initially only intend to call in to Nong Khai in transit to Laos, but find themselves captivated by it's relaxing ambiance and decide to extend their stay and find themselves coming back to this small, friendly town again and again. Many visitors go one step further and decide to make Nong Khai their home. In fact, Nong Khai was named "7th best Retirement Destination in the World" by "Retirement America". Once you visit this delightful town, it is easy to see why.

[View Friendship Bridge Photo Gallery]