Khon Kaen – What facilities are there that a Farang can use.

[Keith5588]

I am mostly thinking about playing tennis, table tennis, gym’s, swimming pools, and golf. Of course any other suggestions appreciated.

I have just been to Thailand for 2 months, staying in Khon kaen and surrounding area. I went there to meet a lady and also to “test the water” to see if I could live there. I am 62 and have no commitments at home in England. I am active and spend at lot time at my health club in England playing tennis and swimming. I also walk with the Ramblers, cycle, play golf. The Thai lady I met was aged 48, a farmer and lives 80km from KK. I feel we got along well together but I concluded there are problems living there.

I don’t think I could live in my Thai girlfriends village happily. I have sampled short spells of about 1 day or less in 3 villages. Typically people are very friendly, offer food, maybe even have a laugh at my attempts to speak a few Thai words or use Google translate ……. but understandably they mostly talk amongst each other (as I would) ……. It becomes very boring ……. I went for a short walk …… I would have liked to walk further but was too scared because of the dogs.

The language ……. Should become easier with time.

The heat ……. I much prefer the warm weather, it was just right in Dec & Jan and I think it would be alright for me in the hotter months.

Mosquitoes …… just a bit annoying

The stray dogs …… I have just posted on here and received some interesting helpful feedback ....... I may become more confident but at the moment I feel unfortunately they would restrict me from walking and cycling especially early morning and in the evening when it is also the best time to be out as it is cooler......... they frighten me.

It sounds a bit like I am a fitness fanatic but I am not, but I did chang about 6 years ago in that now I like to keep reasonably healthy and fit.

I did play golf 3 times while I stayed in KK and really enjoyed it.

I wish I had investigated playing tennis and the other activities more.

I am wondering about the university, anyone know if there are the above facilities there that a farang can use?

Thanks in advance

Keith

[thrilled]

Khon Kaen is one happening city in Issan.My fiance's brother who is A doctor lives there.A great city.

I would live there in A New York second.Um there use to be khonkaenmap. Not sure if it's still up.

You can always go to Udonmap and ask questions about Khonkaen.Good luck to ya.Fantastic place to live.

[jobin]

Funny how the scene looks when the eyes are 31 years old, not 62.

[Toscano]

Khon Kaen is not a bad city as Thai cities go and I believe does have the sporting facilities you enjoy , also very good golf courses .

If you want to live in Thailand choose your location first , find a girlfriend in the location of your choice .

You have sussed out rural Thailand fairly well , unspeakably boring !!! You are right , if you spoke perfect Thai there is nothing much to have a conversation about , other than domestic essentials .

I'm married to a beautiful woman 55yrs old , head teacher of a school , owner of two houses and farmland . We live in a large rural amphur village with good facilities about 74kms from Khon Kaen , about an hour's drive . I would have liked to live much farther south in Thailand , near the sea , beautiful beaches , to have had a sailing boat : but from where we live the sea is too far away other than to go for an occasional holiday . Come to Thailand with a retirement visa , if you find a girlfriend , have a local Thai style marriage , NOT an official amphur marriage , in the event that things don't work out you can just walk away with no legal strings attached . You can buy a Condo in your name , don't buy a house in a girlfriend/wife's name , rent , better still live in the wife's house .

If you are into a lot of sex , especially older wives might not provide it , far better and cheaper to pay for it as you go .

[thaiduncankk]

Khon Kaen is one happening city in Issan.My fiance's brother who is A doctor lives there.A great city.

I would live there in A New York second.Um there use to be khonkaenmap. Not sure if it's still up.

You can always go to Udonmap and ask questions about Khonkaen.Good luck to ya.Fantastic place to live.

You quite obviously do not live here !

[Caca4u]

I think you are wasting your time being there. 2 months is not enough if you think u can take it. If you see small problems only after a couple of months just wait for 3-4 yrs when the excitement wears off. I dont know your background or how you lived your life in the west but per what you wrote above I think you will not take it past 2 yrs. You get a long with your gf now but deep down she is a farmer from the poorest area of thailand. I am not looking down on her and what I am trying to say is these people have a completly different mentality than us from the west. Some foreigners take it because they are old and alone and all they want is someone to take care of them as they get older. My first thai gf came from a village down south, her family are rubber farmers and eventhough she studied a year in korea, spoke excellent english travel to the US and parts of EU thanks for her ex sponsors deep down she was still the daughter of rubber farmers whom had basically no culture or education.

U should look into hua hin.

[thaiduncankk]

I think you are wasting your time being there. 2 months is not enough if you think u can take it. If you see small problems only after a couple of months just wait for 3-4 yrs when the excitement wears off. I dont know your background or how you lived your life in the west but per what you wrote above I think you will not take it past 2 yrs. You get a long with your gf now but deep down she is a farmer from the poorest area of thailand. I am not looking down on her and what I am trying to say is these people have a completly different mentality than us from the west. Some foreigners take it because they are old and alone and all they want is someone to take care of them as they get older. My first thai gf came from a village down south, her family are rubber farmers and eventhough she studied a year in korea, spoke excellent english travel to the US and parts of EU thanks for her ex sponsors deep down she was still the daughter of rubber farmers whom had basically no culture or education.

U should look into hua hin.

Good post.

10 years ago it was a good place to live, great social atmosphere, good choice of normal bars, and some great people.

Things move on though. Completely different now, a bit like a mini Udon Thani.

[JohnDodd]

To the OP, you concluded correctly regarding the boredom if you live in an Isaan village. The image that the word "village" creates in the mind is a place of peace and harmony, but after spending over 20 yrs. in a village in deep Mahasarakarm 45kms from KK I can tell you, there is little peace and even less harmony. Any attention you may receive is superficial and not sincere, chaow baan as they known in Thai are certainly not your average villagers, but envious, sullen, resentful, lazy, bitter and dishonest. These are not just my opinions, but my Thai wife and 18 yr. old Luuk Kreung Daughter. Six months ago we decided to move to the outer 'burbs of KK.I have no interest in socializing at all as at 71 I prefer solitude and here where I am situated is perfect, we have a nice comfortable home with a half ry garden that we grow veg. and we are surrounded by trees with plenty of birdsong and little else. But all the amenities you mentioned are available, and also a pleasant pleasure, and eating area around the lakeside where fresh seafood is flown in daily, where you can sit and drink a nice big bottle of Leo and watch the beautiful Thai females pass by. So thats KK, for me Loke Sawan compared to South Wales.

[CGW]

As JD notes above there is little "peace & harmony" in the average Thai village! I live about 1k between 2 Thai villages, if one village is not producing vast amounts of noise the other is!

They have little respect for each other and even less for the Farang visitor!

[onni4me]

If you into swimming and gym, this place is okay

https://www.facebook.com/mso.fitness.kk/

If I remember correct they give 3 day trial for free and monthly 1800 Baht or a years membership 12K. It's a new place with nice amenities and not very crowded.

Don't believe all the BS that old sourpusses give you here. Khon Kaen is a great city with all kinds of possibilities. If you gang up with the permanently drunk barflies, don't expect any rewards.

The language barrier is stronger here since locals speak very little English but in my estimate those who don't constantly drink or get involved in some kind of scam, are generally friendly and nice people. It takes it's time to get to know the good guys. Those seeking immediately your friendship are best avoided.

[onni4me]

As JD notes above there is little "peace & harmony" in the average Thai village! I live about 1k between 2 Thai villages, if one village is not producing vast amounts of noise the other is!

They have little respect for each other and even less for the Farang visitor!

Sigh...wasn't this about helping the OP find some places to exercise and train and have activities?

If you don't like the villages, keep away from them then. Simple.

I have lived in a village nearby KK for many years. People are some good, some bad. Some poor, some affluent (by Thai standards). I have never had any problems with them and what we have agreed has been done as said. My family is respected here and they keep me well informed what's going on and so on.

I think that showing up in any Thai village with a lady from a certain kind of a bar, is an instant mark for Thais to know what kind of people they are dealing with. Respect is not given, it is earned.

[losworld]

That's a tough call as I have spent considerable time in KK in the past. As far as Isann goes it is a reasonable city with decent amenities. If Western amenities is what you are looking for they are increasing here. However, it is a flat and dusty town with a very very hot season. Dec and Jan is nothing like March April May June July you will find out soon enough. And there is no relief with a tropical breeze off the water. Thailand is a very hot country and the climate is actually better in the south with more cloud cover and cooling rains and less difference between hot and cold seasons. I think if you want norther Thailand I would look around Chiang Rai because you actually have mountains and a cooler climate otherwise I'd probably go further south.

As an example Bangkok has been named the world's hottest city by the world meteorological association.

[nev]

Don't live in the village rent a house in the city and all the amenities you mentioned are available.

Khonkaen university has a 50 meter pool and very cheap to use and many other amenities like tennis and badminton, for a walk bung kaen nakon is a great lake to walk and run around, also some great golf courses too.

Just don't become a barfly more to life than sitting in a bar.

[TJR4ASR]

The guy said the most right on the money thing I have read here. "Deep down she is still the dadaughter of a farmer ". My wife is the daughter of a farmer. The truth is the same in all walks of life in Thailand. I was told by a friend. You can take the girl out of the bar but you can't take the bar out of the girl. I still hit road blocks after 6 years. Good luck brother dog's are no worries

[allane]

50 metre public swimming pool on the south side of Lao-na-di Road, about 1 km west of Na Meung Road. Use songthaew # 4, southbound on Na Meung.

[Issangeorge]

Small Thai Villages are great, if you like your own company, like me. However if you are an active guy and like to play golf, tennis, things like that, they are not that great.

[thaiduncankk]

If you into swimming and gym, this place is okay

https://www.facebook.com/mso.fitness.kk/

If I remember correct they give 3 day trial for free and monthly 1800 Baht or a years membership 12K. It's a new place with nice amenities and not very crowded.

Don't believe all the BS that old sourpusses give you here. Khon Kaen is a great city with all kinds of possibilities. If you gang up with the permanently drunk barflies, don't expect any rewards.

The language barrier is stronger here since locals speak very little English but in my estimate those who don't constantly drink or get involved in some kind of scam, are generally friendly and nice people. It takes it's time to get to know the good guys. Those seeking immediately your friendship are best avoided.

I've been here ten and a half years, not many people remain here that were around then.

Ask anybody if it is as good as, say, two or three years ago. Ninety plus percent will tell you it is not.

[Michael Hare]

I lived in Khon Kaen from 1974 to 1980. Wonderful years. We had the university pool to swim in (only 25 m in those days) the tennis club downtown, bowling clubs, and tremendous restaurants and night clubs. For a young fellow it was bliss. Shoot up to Udorn, Nong khai or Loei for a day trip. Only five hours to drive down to Bangkok.

These days I live in Ubon Ratchathani, which is a quieter, gentler and old fashion city compared Khon Kaen. Khon Kaen is modern. New rich so to speak. I frequently go back to Khon Kaen. It has grown. I can not recognise streets or places. It is a commercial centre.

The city is pretty flat. Hot and dusty from March to May. But it has plenty of first class golf courses, fitness centres, tennis clubs to please the OP. It is within easy driving distance to Udorn, Nong Khai, Loei and Korat. I would have no problem living there again. However, I must say I prefer Ubon in my older years. The pace in Udon is more to my liking.

[Eclipse]

Khon Kaen is one happening city in Issan.My fiance's brother who is A doctor lives there.A great city.

I would live there in A New York second.Um there use to be khonkaenmap. Not sure if it's still up.

You can always go to Udonmap and ask questions about Khonkaen.Good luck to ya.Fantastic place to live.

You quite obviously do not live here !

Why? I live there and agree with him.

A great place to live.

[thaiduncankk]

Khon Kaen is one happening city in Issan.My fiance's brother who is A doctor lives there.A great city.

I would live there in A New York second.Um there use to be khonkaenmap. Not sure if it's still up.

You can always go to Udonmap and ask questions about Khonkaen.Good luck to ya.Fantastic place to live.

You quite obviously do not live here !

Why? I live there and agree with him.

A great place to live.

It is not the place it was years ago, but, everywhere changes in time.

I enjoy socialising, and a few years back Khon Kaen was a good place to mix, and meet other people.

Now, I'd rather stay in and watch British television.

[wowfactor10]

Try reading some books.....

If you got some friends play some bridge game....Och sorry that is no longer allowed for us better u stay with books then.

I sure u still will have an amazing time

[onni4me]

I've been here ten and a half years, not many people remain here that were around then.

Ask anybody if it is as good as, say, two or three years ago. Ninety plus percent will tell you it is not.

I've been around 10+ years also and I am in that 10% minority.

If I understand it right you still live in Khon Kaen and yet are not happy. So what has changed according to you?

I see KK has grown, becoming more modern - and expensive - and having more places to go. On top of that various supermarkets have improved the selection of food variety and I can easily find what I am looking for.

Regarding the city center I try to avoid it during rush hours and would not like to live in center since the traffic and pollution is quite high.

Things change and I think for the better.

[thaiduncankk]

I've been here ten and a half years, not many people remain here that were around then.Ask anybody if it is as good as, say, two or three years ago. Ninety plus percent will tell you it is not.

I've been around 10+ years also and I am in that 10% minority.

If I understand it right you still live in Khon Kaen and yet are not happy. So what has changed according to you?

I see KK has grown, becoming more modern - and expensive - and having more places to go. On top of that various supermarkets have improved the selection of food variety and I can easily find what I am looking for.

Regarding the city center I try to avoid it during rush hours and would not like to live in center since the traffic and pollution is quite high.

Things change and I think for the better.

The main change is the people it attracts. When I came it was relatively unknown to a lot of people. A few, not too many, local bars, similar to back home, people of all nationalities used to meet up regularly for a chat and a drink, no bar girls, no bill padding, and no trouble, as more or less everyone knew each other.

Over the years peoples drinking habits have changed, mine included, and the town does not have that same atmosphere as before. Nearly every bar has bar girls, and you would struggle to find a local bar as they have all moved on.

Your point about produce in supermarkets is a good one, but exactly how much time per week does one spend in a supermarket ? I, personally, spend as little time as necessary in them.

The walkways in Khon Kaen are a disgrace and an accident waiting to happen. It is not possible to go for a nice walk, without keeping your eyes fixed to the ground in front of you, to spot the obstacles ahead of you. This includes the walkway around Beung Kaen Nakhorn which I walk regularly.

Finally, I am not unhappy here, I have a good life, and I enjoy it. But I feel a move to pastures new would be a better option for me, and hope to move on in the near future.

[Keith5588]

Thank you so much for all your interesting comments and good information.

I have just watched a youtube video about MSociety Fitness Club and it looks good.

Assuming I do return to KK, but I think now it will probably not be until this coming November I have also made a note to investigate the 50m pool on Lao-na-di road.

Also to definitely investigate the University facilities.

Thanks again

Keith

[bazza40]

Personally, I would recommend Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai ahead of the Issan area. And I'm wondering how one poster can say there are first class golf courses in Khon Kaen, first class compared to what?

Chiang Mai is fully developed with respect to various cuisines, Chiang Rai less so. Chiang Mai has several good golf courses, the pick of the north western courses is Santiburi near Chiang Rai, a Trent Jones III design. If the OP wants clubs, CM is awash with them.

Village life in Thailand is what you make of it. Some find the noise annoying; however, when you realise it's only certain times and dates ( at least in the village I go to ) one can learn to live with it. However, I do like the flexibility of going back to CM when the mood takes me.

I've only seen Khon Kaen once, on a tour of Issan. The only thing about it that piqued my interest was the large number of CNG ( NGV ) stations there, compared to the rest of Thailand.

[MrRed]

Everybodys different you live some place for a while and it can get boring depending on your outlook.

Khon Kaen is a nice place to live .....some people think it is nicer by the sea but if you hav edone that then everything is different.

Each to there own...suck it and see then at least you can say you tried ..good or bad.

[BaldPlumber]

What is a "New York second" and is it different to a second in other cities?

Hopefully, someone can answer within a Huddersfield minute or at least within Lincoln hour.

Edited February 18, 2016 by BaldPlumber

[onni4me]

The main change is the people it attracts. When I came it was relatively unknown to a lot of people. A few, not too many, local bars, similar to back home, people of all nationalities used to meet up regularly for a chat and a drink, no bar girls, no bill padding, and no trouble, as more or less everyone knew each other.

Over the years peoples drinking habits have changed, mine included, and the town does not have that same atmosphere as before. Nearly every bar has bar girls, and you would struggle to find a local bar as they have all moved on.

Your point about produce in supermarkets is a good one, but exactly how much time per week does one spend in a supermarket ? I, personally, spend as little time as necessary in them.

The walkways in Khon Kaen are a disgrace and an accident waiting to happen. It is not possible to go for a nice walk, without keeping your eyes fixed to the ground in front of you, to spot the obstacles ahead of you. This includes the walkway around Beung Kaen Nakhorn which I walk regularly.

Finally, I am not unhappy here, I have a good life, and I enjoy it. But I feel a move to pastures new would be a better option for me, and hope to move on in the near future.

I don't do bars anymore so can't really tell. I don't like the idea of bar girls either it making Khon Kaen just another illusion filled with available dreams.

My example about supermarkets was just one way saying not all change is for worse. I like cook my own food so some stuff was hard to come by in earlier years. Now almost everything can be bought in better equipped stores.

When it comes to infrastructure I tend to agree with you. It is a nightmare to walk or bike around. I recently bought a nice bicycle and been running it on the countryside. Too much dust and pollution and potholes in the city not to mention the traffic that makes it far right dangerous to go around.

Funnily enough, I have been contemplating that a change of scenery would do good also. I am a bit bored after all these years and probably will exit in 2-4 years time. I suppose, any place looses its charm when you know it intimately. And times, they change too. Not always for the better. I fear that Thailand will eventually become like any other place losing its own character and becoming as pricey as anywhere else. Years ago it was a bargain. Now I am not sure anymore.

[nev]

Personally, I would recommend Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai ahead of the Issan area. And I'm wondering how one poster can say there are first class golf courses in Khon Kaen, first class compared to what?

Chiang Mai is fully developed with respect to various cuisines, Chiang Rai less so. Chiang Mai has several good golf courses, the pick of the north western courses is Santiburi near Chiang Rai, a Trent Jones III design. If the OP wants clubs, CM is awash with them.

Village life in Thailand is what you make of it. Some find the noise annoying; however, when you realise it's only certain times and dates ( at least in the village I go to ) one can learn to live with it. However, I do like the flexibility of going back to CM when the mood takes me.

I've only seen Khon Kaen once, on a tour of Issan. The only thing about it that piqued my interest was the large number of CNG ( NGV ) stations there, compared to the rest of Thailand.

I am not a golfer but not far from me south of Khonkaen is Singha park golf course and I would put that down as first class standard, I will not comment on other courses here as I don't play.

Living here has its ups and downs, but I live on 3 rai and i am very happy just doing jobs around the place and the odd trip into town when need be.

[bazza40]

Personally, I would recommend Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai ahead of the Issan area. And I'm wondering how one poster can say there are first class golf courses in Khon Kaen, first class compared to what?

Chiang Mai is fully developed with respect to various cuisines, Chiang Rai less so. Chiang Mai has several good golf courses, the pick of the north western courses is Santiburi near Chiang Rai, a Trent Jones III design. If the OP wants clubs, CM is awash with them.

Village life in Thailand is what you make of it. Some find the noise annoying; however, when you realise it's only certain times and dates ( at least in the village I go to ) one can learn to live with it. However, I do like the flexibility of going back to CM when the mood takes me.

I've only seen Khon Kaen once, on a tour of Issan. The only thing about it that piqued my interest was the large number of CNG ( NGV ) stations there, compared to the rest of Thailand.

I am not a golfer but not far from me south of Khonkaen is Singha park golf course and I would put that down as first class standard, I will not comment on other courses here as I don't play.

Living here has its ups and downs, but I live on 3 rai and i am very happy just doing jobs around the place and the odd trip into town when need be.

" I am not a golfer"? " I don't play"? How can you possibly have an informed opinion on the subject? That's like me proferring an opinion on a brand of bicycle when I know nothing about them, or a wine I've never tasted.

It's possible your impressions are guided by how well the courses appear to be manicured. There are a lot more facets to golf course design than that.