Nakhon Phanom – Nakhon Phanom is pressing ahead into the Mekong basin tourism market, leading a convoy of 300 tourists across the Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge to take in the beauty of "Khun Kong Laeng" in Hinboun District, and to pay respects at That Si Khotabong, while pushing a "morning departure, evening return" day-trip model to boost the economies on both the Thai and Lao sides of the river.
This past weekend, Mr. Worawit Phimphonit, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Phanom Province, together with Ms. Nongnuch Sida Noi, head of the Nakhon Phanom Provincial Tourism and Sports Office, led a group of more than 300 Thai tourists aboard five buses on a joint familiarisation trip along the tourism linkage route between Nakhon Phanom and Khammouane Province, Lao PDR, crossing via the Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. The trip was designed to test the capacity to accommodate cross-border day tours.
Khun Kong Laeng: A new magnet for eco-tourism
The highlight of the trip was "Khun Kong Laeng," located in Ban Na Khu, Hinboun District, Khammouane Province — an unseen natural attraction that has been dubbed the "Guilin of Central Laos" and the "Switzerland of Laos" for its crystal-clear, blue-green waters set amid a backdrop of limestone mountains.
Beyond its striking natural scenery, Khun Kong Laeng has strong potential to be developed into an eco-tourism hub, catering to adventure seekers with activities such as zip-lining, rock climbing, and nature-trail walks, all enriched by local legend surrounding a "kong" (drum) sound said to rise up from beneath the water on holy days — adding extra value and mystique to the site.
Highlights of the two-country tourism route (Nakhon Phanom – Khammouane):
Nature & Adventure: View the blue-green waters of Khun Kong Laeng; zip-lining and rock-climbing activities.
Faith & Culture: Present a kathin forest robe offering and watch ceremonial dance performances at That Si Khotabong (a sister stupa to That Phanom).
Lifestyle & Local Living: Stroll through the Tha Khaek old town, sip traditional Lao coffee, and shop for local products.
The group participated in a merit-making kathin offering and watched ceremonial dance performances at Wat That Si Khotabong, the guardian stupa of Khammouane Province on the banks of the Mekong River, which shares a historical connection with That Phanom, before heading into the Tha Khaek old town to soak up the charm of its ancient architecture, taste traditional Lao coffee, and browse local goods.
The opening of this route reflects the potential of the Third Friendship Bridge to drive grassroots economic growth through tourism, under the concept of "Morning in Nakhon Phanom – nature tour in Central Laos – pay respects at the stupa – coffee in the old town – back in Nakhon Phanom the same day," and the route is now ready to welcome tourists and tour operators in the future.
