Nong Khai (หนองคาย) is a city in North-East Thailand, capital of the Nong Khai Province. It is situated directly at the Mekong River and is the site of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across to Laos. It is the Thai gateway to the Laotian capital of Vientiane.
Nong Khai's main sight is Sala Kaew Ku (also Wat Khaek), a park of massive sculptures (some over 20m tall). The park is the handiwork of the mystic Luang Pa Bunleua Sulilat, who bought the land in 1978 when he was exiled from his native Laos. Synthesizing Buddhism, Hindu and Confucian ideologies, Buddhas, many-armed goddesses, naga snakes and all sorts of human-animal hybrids dominate the scenery.
In more recent years, Nong Khai has become a popular destination during the Buddhist lent festival when mysterious balls of light, or Naga fireballs, rise from the Mekong river.
Chapi