Phra That Kham Kaen
พระธาตุขามแก่น
An ancient stupa that gave Khon Kaen Province its name. Legend says it holds relics of the Buddha, and local devotion is strong.
Phra That Kham Kaen is located in Ban Kham, about 20 km northeast of Khon Kaen City. Legend says that in ancient times, a procession carrying the Buddha's relics paused beneath a dead tamarind tree. The tree later came back to life, and people built a stupa here to enshrine the relics. "Kham Kaen" means the heartwood of the tamarind tree, from which the name Khon Kaen is derived. The stupa is in the Lao-Isan style, with a white body and golden top. There are a temple and a small market nearby. Admission is free, and it is open during the day. It can be reached by taxi or chartered car from the city and is often visited on a half-day trip together with the King Cobra Village.
Opening hours
About 07:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- King Cobra Village (Ban Khok Sa-Nga)
- Wat Pa Saeng Arun
- Khon Kaen National Museum
- Khon Kaen Walking Street
- Bueng Kaen Nakhon
- Wat Nong Wang (Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon)
- Ton Tann Market
- Wat Chai Si (Sawathi)