Famous for its December silk fairs, Khon Kaen is one of

 Isan's most important cities and Thailand's fourth

 largest. It is growing fast, with international restaurants

 and hotels opening all over town.

 Silk Industry

 Fine mudmee silk is the main industry of Chonnabot

 Village, about 50-km southwest of the city. Tourists can

 see the whole silk production process, from cocoons to

 looms: one good workshop to visit is the Local

 Handicraft Center across from Wat Pho Si Sa-at, open

 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. every day. Silk is for sale as

 garments or by the yard/meter both here and in shops

 throughout Khon Kaen. Rin Thai Silk in Namuang Road,

 Khon Kaen is a good silk center with affordable prices.

 Festivals

 Popular celebrations in Khon Kaen include the ten-day

 Silk & Pook Siaw (friend tying) Festival in late

 November/early December, during which you can

 experience Isan folk music and dancing, parades and

 local food. During the Thai New Year (Songkran) in

 April, the people of Khon Kaen ritually bathe the most

 sacred Buddha statues of their temples. This festival

 includes khaen pipe music and floats decorated with

 colorful flowers and garlands.

 Temple Ruins

About an hour's drive to the southeast of Khon Kaen,

 Prasat Peuay Noi is a ruined Khmer temple built in the

 12th century. The structure and surrounding area

 contain ornately carved stonework.