Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen is the capital of Khon Kaen province and the fourth largest city in Thailand. It is one of the four major cities of Isan, Thailand, also known as the "big four of Isan", the others being Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Ubon Ratchathani. The city municipality of Khon Kaen (thesaban nakhon) acts as the governmental seat of the province, as well as the Mueang Khon Kaen district and lies northeast of Bangkok. Geography and demography Khon Kaen is on the Khorat Plateau, elevation 187 m, and is the center of the mid-northeastern provincial group of Thailand, according to the Thai government. Its coordinates are . The city municipality has a population of 114,459, while the Mueang Khon Kaen district, forming the city's urban area, has a population of 412,758. Khon Kaen (Urban) therefore ranks as the fourth largest city in Thailand after Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Korat. Location Khon Kaen is a city in the northeastern region of Thailand. The city is bisected by Mithraphap Road, also known as the "Friendship Highway", or "Highway 2", the road linking Bangkok to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. Highway 230, a modern, multi-lane by-pass enables through-traffic to avoid the city center to the west, and connects to the airport, the new main bus station (BKS3).