What this page says about Kham Chanod comes from the news reports named at the end, checked on 8 Nov 2026. K Car Rent does not run the site. We found no official opening hours, so please check again before you go.
What is Kham Chanod?
Wang Nakhin Kham Chanod is in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province: a forest of chanot palms on an island in a marsh, held sacred by local people. A shrine on the island is where visitors pay respects to Chao Pu Si Suttho and Chao Ya Si Pathumma, linked to beliefs about the naga, the great serpents of Thai and Lao legend.
- PlaceWang Nakhin Kham Chanod, Ban Dung district, Udon Thani
- Opening hoursWe found no current official hours; check with the staff before you go
- From the airportAbout 107 km, 1 hr 45 min to 2 hours' drive
Rules and etiquette
News reports over the years describe these rules at Kham Chanod. Rules can change, so follow the signs and staff on the day.
- No incense or candles inside the Kham Chanod forest, to cut the smoke that harms the trees; the province set up a place outside for incense (Matichon, 2017).
- Take your offerings home, especially naga offering trays (bai si), rather than leaving them behind (Matichon, 2017).
- No powder on the trees (Matichon, 2017), and do not pick or pull at the trees (Matichon, 2021). When the site reopened after COVID in 2021, visitors were also asked not to touch objects or structures.
- Shoes off before the shrine area, as described in the visiting steps reported in the news (MGR Online, 2020).
- Dress modestly. We found no published dress code, but this is a sacred place, so sleeves and long trousers or a long skirt are the safe choice.
Getting there: driving from Udon Thani
Kham Chanod is north-east of Udon Thani city, about 107 km from the airport, about 2 hours' drive in light traffic.
| From | Distance (about) | Drive (about) |
|---|---|---|
| Udon Thani International Airport | 107 km | 1 hr 45 min – 2 hr |
| There and back from the airport | 215 km | about 4 hours |
Measured with OpenStreetMap routing to Kham Chanod's position on the map; drive times assume light traffic. Allow extra time on holidays.
Directions from the airport to Kham Chanod in Google Maps
Use the car park provided, lock the car and keep valuables out of sight. Keep to paved roads: no off-road driving and no driving through flood water.
Driving area and distance
Allowed on every rental length
Kham Chanod is in Udon Thani province, which is inside the driving area of the shortest rental (1–7 days: 8 provinces), and longer rentals reach further still, so the trip is allowed whatever the rental length. See the full driving area
Distance: the contract assumes an average of 200 km a day, pooled over the rental; distance above that costs ฿10 per km. The round trip from the airport is about 215 km, so a 1-day rental goes about 15 km over, about ฿150; a 2-day rental (400 km in all) covers it.
A sample day
Adjust it to your hotel and your flights. The times of day are rough.
One day
Kham Chanod in the morning, back in town by afternoon
- MorningLeave town or the airportFull tank, route already set in Google Maps.
- Late morningArrive at Kham ChanodPark, take your shoes off and follow the signs. Bring your own offerings and take them home again.
- AfternoonLunch around Ban Dung, then drive backBack in town with time for a walk at Nong Prajak Park.
- Morning
Want a very early start? Hand-overs are free every day from 07:30 to 19:00. Outside those hours there is a charge of ฿500 per hand-over, with no fee on rentals of 15 days or more, or collect the car the evening before.
Tips before you go
- Bring your own offerings and take them home afterwards, as the reported rules ask.
- Wear shoes that slip off easily, as they come off before the shrine area.
- Water and a hat for the queue and the walk around the site.
- Travelling with small children? Ask for a free child seat when you book (limited number).
- Fill the tank before you return the car. Our fuel rule is full to full.
Which car to choose
The whole trip stays in Udon Thani province, so choose by the number of people and the luggage. Every car is automatic with a reversing camera.
Economy cars
e.g. Suzuki Celerio · 5 seats · 1 bag
From ฿870/day
Sedans
e.g. Toyota Yaris Ativ · 5 seats · 2 bags
From ฿990/day
7-seaters
e.g. Mitsubishi Xpander · 7 seats · 4–6 bags
From ฿1,490/day
Starting prices per day for rentals of 2 days or more, low-season weekdays, with CDW included (collision damage waiver: you pay at most the excess per incident). The cash deposit is separate and comes back when you return the car in good order. See all cars and prices
Going to Kham Chanod? Send us your dates on LINE.
Tell us your pick-up and return dates and how many people. We check which cars are available and reply with the price in the chat. Pick up free of charge at Udon Thani International Airport, car park A1, or have the car brought to your hotel in town (฿350 per trip for rentals under 7 days, free from 7 days).
Quick replies on LINE 07:00–22:00WhatsAppCall +66 90 888 33 84
Sources (in Thai): incense, offerings and powder rules: Matichon, 21 Feb 2017 · shoes off: MGR Online, 26 May 2020 · place, the shrine of Chao Pu Si Suttho and Chao Ya Si Pathumma, no picking trees: Matichon, 3 Mar 2021 · distances and drive times: routes on OpenStreetMap · all checked 8 Nov 2026
