Nakhon Phanom Travel

Best time to visit

At Nakhon Phanom, the wet season is oppressive and overcast, the dry season is humid and partly cloudy, and it is hot year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 16°C to 34°C and is rarely below 12°C or above 38°C.

Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit Nakhon Phanom for warm-weather activities is from mid November to late February.

Check the below table for the general idea of Nakhon Phanom weather throughout the year.

Nakhon Phanom’s current weather and 7-day forecast

NAKHON PHANOM WEATHER

A cultural experience is never far in Thailand, but one of the best cities to go for a melting pot excursion is Nakhon Phanom. With Lao, Thai, and Vietnamese influences, Catholic churches and royal palaces, and more, this city is an incredible one-day trip that’s right across the river from Laos. If culture interests you, take a look through this list of the top 10 things to do in Nakhon Phanom and get your passport ready!

1. Learn about Vietnamese residences with a trip to the Thai-Vietnamese Friendship Village

If you’re a history buff that has an interest in the Vietnam War era, take a trip to the Thai-Vietnamese Friendship Village. It is one of the places that Ho Chi Minh lived in, in Thailand, before returning to Vietnam for the revolution and is therefore culturally and historically significant. This village is just 4 km (2.4 mi) from city centre and hosts gardens and a museum, all dedicated to teaching tourists about the Vietnam War. It’s not to be missed if you have a strong passion for Vietnamese and Thai history.

2. Pay your respects at Saint Anna Saeng Catholic Church

If you’re active and like to bike or walk across the cities you stay in, try the 8-kilometer (5-mile) long bicycle lane along the Mae Nam Kong, that ends at the Saint Anna Nong Saeng Catholic Church. This is one of the few Catholic churches in the country that was built with a strong Vietnamese influence. The building itself is nice and serene, but around 9 am, school children can be seen milling about the grounds. The rectory is also available for tourists and can be a great place to unwind and take photos before getting back on your bike and seeing more sights around the city.

3. Look to Laos at the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge

If you’re country-hopping and coming into Nakhon Phanom from Laos, try using the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. It is located on Phanom Road heading over the Mun River and can be crossed for tourism and trade purposes. The bridge itself is a sight to behold, but what’s more interesting is that you can rent a car and take the route that’s known as the Asian Highway, which links Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam together. Or you can just head on over to Wat Maha That on the Thailand side once you’ve taken in the sights at the bridge!

4. Go shopping at the Indochine Market

Indochine Market is located just 25 meters (82 feet) away from the riverfront and offers a nice reprieve from the sun. It’s an open-air market that offers everything from food and beverages to clothing and electronics. While most of these vendors don’t speak English, you’ll be able to grab a few bargains while here, so stop by when you can.

5. Walk along the Nakhon Phanom Riverfront

One of the best places to see all of the different cultures that influence life in Nakhon Phanom is by the riverfront. Most city walking tours will take you in this general area, but grab a bottle of water and wander around the promenade for a while. The riverfront is right across the street from a variety of other sites in Nakhon Phanom, such as Wat Maha That, Wat Phra In Plaeng, the Indochine Market, the Governor’s Mansion, and more. Just remember that the city isn’t known for speaking a lot of English, so take along a Thai phrasebook in case you get lost!

6. Take a river boat cruise on the Mekong River

Spending a day, or maybe just an evening, on the river sounds like a marvelous idea, doesn’t it? In Nakhon Phanom, you can do just that! There are daily boat trips that depart south of the city’s main pier at 5 pm every day and will take you on a slow, blissful journey on the Mekong River. You return back to the pier just before dark, relaxed and ready to grab something to eat or dance the night away. Because Nakhon Phanom is on the border of Thailand and Laos, your river boat cruise will offer views of both countries. Additionally, a boat can be chartered for a private cruise, making for a great romantic surprise.

7. Learn about aquatic life at the Mekong Underwater World

If educational trips are your speed, especially when you’re travelling to a new city, then take the time to step off the Mekong riverfront and visit Mekong Underwater World. This is a small aquarium located near the Muang Nakhon Phanom Municipality Office and houses aquatic life from the Mekong, Kam, and Songkhram Rivers. The aquarium also houses a theatre with 50 shops, different ecosystem exhibitions, a souvenir shop, and more. Take an afternoon to explore a museum dedicated to the endangered and rare river life that exists in Thailand.

8. Stand in the shadow of the Vietnamese Memorial Clock Tower

Located near the centre of town, just off Nakhon Phanom Road, sits the Vietnamese Clock Tower. It was built in 1959 as a gift to the city by the Vietnamese residents of Nakhon Phanom, prior to their return to Vietnam in 1960. It is a gift of friendship and remembrance, as the people of Nakhon Phanom took in the Vietnamese in during their time of need. While it is not an attraction that requires a whole afternoon to see, it is still worth a visit whilst you spend time in the city centre. Between grabbing a meal and doing a little shopping, wander down the road to this clock tower and stand in the shadow of cultural history.

9. Get educated about the province at the Nakornpathom Provincial Governor's Residence Museum

If you’re interested in the political history of Nakhon Phanom, a trip to Nakornpathom Provincial Governor’s Residence Museum is in order. Built around 1913, the mansion served as the residence for the first governor appointed from Bangkok. After a 1955 visit from the King of Thailand, in which he stayed at the residence, it was deemed unseemly to allow the governor to reside there once again and was abandoned for decades. Now, however, the mansion has been restored to its former glory and serves as a museum, complete with a full story that focuses on the history of Nakhon Phanom; the second story is dedicated to the King of Thailand’s royal visit in 1955. Admission is free, so there’s no reason not to take in a part of the city’s history!

10. Watch the Illuminated Boat Procession

The Illuminated Boat Procession in Nakhon Phanom is one of the most celebrated in the city. It’s an annual event that takes place at the end of Buddhist Lent, which generally ends in October. Along with a boat procession down the Mekong River, the procession is also accompanied by traditional folk dances and cultural performances. The history behind the procession is interesting: it is a tradition relating to a legend about Buddha spending the entirety of Buddhist lent, which is roughly three months long, in heaven and returning to Earth at the end. That is why the boats are illuminated so that the boats can help usher Buddha safely back to land.

Mid-range options

SP Residence 

Add: 193/1 Nittayo Road, Nai Muang,, 48000 Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Situated in Nakhon Phanom, SP Residence provides 3-star accommodation with private balconies. Featuring free bikes, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Free private parking is available and the hotel also features bike hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area.

At the hotel, rooms include a wardrobe. At SP Residence rooms have a desk and a TV.

Speaking Thai and English, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical advice on the area at the reception. 

Fortune View Khong 

Add: 527 Soonthomvijit Road, Muang, 48000 Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Located in Nakhon Phanom, Fortune View Khong provides a shared lounge and garden. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.

Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel, each room comes with a private bathroom with free toiletries.

Guests at Fortune View Khong can enjoy a continental breakfast.

U- Homehotel Nakhonpanom 

Add: 47/8 Swangnakhon Road, 48000 Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Set in Nakhon Phanom, U- Homehotel Nakhonpanom features a bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.

At the hotel, every room includes a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The units at U- Homehotel

Nakhonpanom feature air conditioning and a wardrobe.

The accommodation offers a continental or buffet breakfast.

Deluxe options

Mekong Heritage Hotel 

Add: 35/5 Nakorn Phanom-Tat Phanom Rd., Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Phanom District, 48000 Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Mekong Heritage Hotel has a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a bar and shared lounge in Nakhon Phanom. Each accommodation at the 4-star hotel has lake views, and guests can enjoy access to a garden and to a terrace. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi.

All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel rooms are equipped with a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

Guests at Mekong Heritage Hotel can enjoy a à la carte breakfast.

The accommodation offers 4-star accommodation with a hot tub. Guests at Mekong Heritage Hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Nakhon Phanom, like cycling.

Blu Hotel 

Add: 113 Moo.2, Tha Uthen-At Samat rd., At Samat, Mueng, Nakorn Phanom, 48000 Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Blu Hotel features a fitness centre, bar, a shared lounge and garden in Nakhon Phanom. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and valet parking, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available and the hotel also provides bike hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area.
The hotel offers a terrace.

Ohio

This popular restaurant has gone through many incarnations during its 25 years – the current is colourful and classy and it feels more Bangkok than Nakhon Phanom – but it has always turned out good food. Though the menu is mostly Thai, with fish featuring prominently, there are some Isan and Western dishes too. Also good for late-evening craft beer and cocktails.

Add: Th Fuang Nakhon

Hours: 5pm-4am

Price: mains 69-169B, seafood 150-300B

Sam Anong

This no-frills place is a great choice for down-home Isan food with what must be a contender for best gài yâhng (grilled chicken) in Nakhon Phanom. And as a bonus, you can choose regular or black sticky rice. Following the riverfront, it's the third road on the left after the Tourism Authority of Thailand office, then almost immediately on the left.

Add: Th Samut Bunhan

Hours: 8am-8pm

Price: mains 40-250B

Phornthep Naem Nueang

Classic, chaotic place with a full selection of Vietnamese dishes including the titular năam neu·ang (assemble-it-yourself pork spring rolls). Come in the morning for khài gràtá (a mini-skillet of eggs topped with sausages). There's no English sign, but it's located directly across from the old movie theatre next to Srithep Hotel.

Add: Th Si Thep

Hours: 6am-4pm

Price: mains 40-200B

Aunt Kaew's Noodles

The auntie who rules this simple, open-fronted noodle house – wildly popular with the locals – knocks up delicious bowls of glass noodles mixed with thick slices of beef and crunchy bean sprouts. There's a complimentary cup of iced tea and a warm welcome.

Add: Th Ratsadonutis

Hours: 8am-3pm Mon-Sat

Price: noodles 50B

Little Home

Modern, big-windowed cafe-cum-restaurant with good coffee and a decent selection of Thai dishes plus a few Western choices (macaroni, spaghetti etc).

Add: Th Tamrongprasit

Hours: 11am-7pm

Price: mains 60-80B, coffee from 40B

Champasak

Champasak specialises in Mekong river fish. The owner, the daughter of Mekong fisherfolk, knows her fish and takes pride in her selection. The shop has both air-con and open-area sections. The picture menu helps you get through the sketchy English descriptions of the standard Thai, Isan and Vietnamese fare. No English sign; look for the large, gaudy orange-painted building.

Add: Th Sunthon Wijit

Hours: 10am-10pm

Price: mains 40-400B

Night Market

Nakhon Phanom's night market is large and diverse (Thai, Isan, Vietnamese, international) but has few places to sit.

Add: Th Fuang Nakhon

Hours: 4-10pm

Get in

By plane

Nok Air operates flights to Nakhon Phanom (KOP), as does Thai Air Asia. From the airport to town is about 20 km.

Contact us for the latest flight schedule and price. Or you can check via some online platform such as SkyScanner.com or Kayak.com

Here you can find some tips to book the cheapest flight

From Laos

Friendship Bridge III between Thailand and Laos is now open. It is around 10 km north of town and the Thai-Laos International Bus runs between Nakhon Phanom bus station and Thakhek from 08:00 to 17:30 eight times daily (every 60 - 90 minutes). It is not possible to cross the bridge on foot. Note: you need baht for the bus from Nakhon Phanom to Thakhek. Kip or USD are not accepted. Allow about 1.5 hours for the customs rituals on both side of the bridge. Visa on arrival available on the Laos side. If you enter Thailand from Laos, most nationalities get a 30-day visa exempt entry. But note that since 31st December 2016, foreigners entering Thailand under the Visa exception scheme are permitted to enter Thailand at a land border crossing only twice in a calendar year.

By train

The closest railway stations are about four hours away, in Ubon, Udon, or Nong Khai.

By road

Two of the most common means of getting to Nakhon Phanom from Bangkok are by road in private tour buses or government-operated tour buses. These buses start from the central North and Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) in Bangkok. The fare for bus travel ranges from 300-850 baht, depending on the type of bus. A more convenient and popular bus is operated by the Transport Authority of Thailand. These VIP air conditioned buses operate under the label 99 or 999. These buses are 24-seaters, with seats as comfortable as seats in the business class of an aeroplane. A toilet is also available inside the bus. The distance between Nakhon Phanom and Bangkok is approximately 740 km. This is about an 11-hour journey. Although it seems long, a bus travelling out of Mo Chit at 19:15 arrives at Nakhon Phanom around 06:30. Buses leaving from Nakhon Phanom to Bangkok at 18:00 arrive at around 05:30.

Get around

The most convenient way to get around the city is via the famous three wheelers of the northeast, more commonly referred to as "skylabs". There are also buses and vans running to other provinces throughout the day, easily accessible from the central bus terminal or in front of the local market.