Volunteer in Nong Khai
- What makes Nong Khai special?
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HOW TO GET TO NONG KHAI Nong Khai is easily accessible by bus, train and airplane. On arrival at Bangkok International Airport you have a choice of flying direct to Udon Thani with Thai airways or Air Asia alternatively you can fly with Nok Air but you must fly from Bangkok Domestic airport which is 40 kilometers from the International airport (shuttle bus available) and may be quicker depending on your arrival time in Bangkok. Air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok every day direct to Nong Khai, For further information contact the Mo Chit 2 (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal, Tel. +66 (0) 2936 2852-66.
In addition, there are private bus services:
Day and night trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue Railway Stations to Nong Khai every morning and night. Call +66 (0) 2223 7010-20 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information. On arrival at either the bus or train station or Udon Thani airport Vacation to Teach staff will meet and take you to your accommodation.
More About Nong Khai Nong Khai is a small province in the upper North East of Thailand, over 600 kilometers from Bangkok, and situated on the banks of the truly mighty Mekong River. The population is a mix of Thais, Vietnamese, Laotians and Chinese.
Shopping The opening of the Tha-Laos Friendship Bridge, the first international bridge to span The Mekong, has led to Nong Khai becoming the gateway to IndoChina, with trade between Thailand and neighbouring Laos being a major way of life in the province. The famous Thasadet Market, that stretches for 2km along the river, is a shopper's paradise. Here You can purchase a variety of goods from refreshing Chinese Teas and delicious Lao Coffee, to fine Lao Silk and cheap T-shirts - it's all here! If you are missing some western fare Big Jieng supermarket stocks many international foods. Here, you can also buy your toiletries and health products.
Places of interest One of Nong khai's pleasures is watching the beautiful sunsets and the cross-border river traffic taking place on the Mekong River. There are many riverside cafes, and public view points where you can sit down and quietly enjoy the vista. There is also the amazing Sala Kae Koo (Wat Khaek) where you can see many weird sculptures based on a mix of Hindu and Buddhist influences. In the dry season, from January to May,when the level of the Mekong River has significantly dropped, Jommanee Beach appears and many locals head there when on holiday to swim and enjoy the afternoon sun, eating the many delicacies on offer.
Recreation After finishing teaching in the afternoon you can head to Nong Teen Park, which becomes a hive of activity with joggers and walkers enjoying the lakeside paths. You can join in the many games of football and tak raw (a traditional game played with a rattan ball) takng place, or do some aerobics in the huge open air dance class. In and around the town there are 3 swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre, a badminton club and two golf courses.
Food Living in Thailand is a most rewarding experience not least of all for the food which is a gourmet’s delight. Nong Khai city, in particular, has an abundance of restaurants ranging from Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Lao, vegetarian to even a few western ones. As a volunteer at Vacations to Teach, you will have the opportunity to try all of these as well some traditional Isan fare when on weekend excursions with your co-volunteers.
Weather There are 3 seasons in Nong Khai; the hot, the rainy, and the cool. The hot season is from March through to May with temperatures getting up to 35 degrees celcius, then the monsoon rains come from May to October, followed by the cool season, November to February, when temperatures can drop to the low twenties in December.
Nightlife Nong Khai is often described as being a sleepy town so don't expect the vibrant nightlife associated with Bangkok or the islands of Phuket and Samui. However, there are a few bars and restaurants where you can meet with fellow volunteers or chat with international travellers passing through Nong Khai either on their way to or from Laos.
Getting around Nong Khai is a very small city and the best way to travel around it is on foot or bicycle (30 baht per day). Most schools are in walking distance of your accommodation but most volunteers usually hire a bicycle for the duration of their stay. Other local modes of transport are samlors (3 wheeled vehicles with passenger capacities that defy the laws of physics) and songtaews (pick-up trucks with 2 benches in the back). There are regular buses to neighbouring towns and cities and also daily trains to Udon Thani.
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Volunteer Teaching Abroad - Isan - Thailand - Volunteer Vacations Community Projects
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