The details about places on this page come from the sources named at the end, checked on 8 Nov 2026. We found no official opening hours or entry fee for Sala Kaeo Ku, so please check again before you go.
What to see in Nong Khai
Sala Kaeo Ku
A garden of huge concrete sculptures inspired by Buddhism and Hinduism (TAT Newsroom), on the east side of Nong Khai town, about 62 km from Udon Thani airport.
Directions from the airport to Sala Kaeo Ku
Tha Sadet market and the riverside
Tha Sadet market, also called the Indochina market, sits on the bank of the Mekong in Nong Khai town and is the place for souvenirs (MGR Online). It is about 5 km on from Sala Kaeo Ku. Walk along the river and stay for sunset over the Mekong, the ending the Tourism Authority of Thailand suggests for a Nong Khai day.
Directions from the airport to Tha Sadet market
The Friendship Bridge and going to Laos
The First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai opened in 1994. It is 1,170 metres long and was the first major bridge across the lower Mekong (Australian Embassy Thailand). You can see it from the Nong Khai riverside.
Our rental cars stay in Thailand. Under our terms the car may never go into Laos, and that includes driving over the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, however long you rent. Read the terms
Want to see Vientiane? Go by international bus instead. The Transport Co. (BKS) runs Nong Khai – Vientiane and Udon Thani – Vientiane routes (Bangkok Biz News). The easiest plan is a day without the car, leaving it at your hotel in Udon, or a Laos trip before you collect the car or after you return it. Bring your passport, and check the timetable, fares and entry rules with BKS before you go.
Driving there
Nong Khai is north of Udon Thani, about an hour's drive from the airport.
| Route | Distance (about) | Drive (about) |
|---|---|---|
| Udon Thani airport → Sala Kaeo Ku | 62 km | 1 hour |
| Udon Thani airport → Tha Sadet market | 63 km | 1 hour |
| Sala Kaeo Ku → Tha Sadet market | 5 km | 10 min |
Measured with OpenStreetMap routing; drive times assume light traffic. Allow extra time on holidays.
If you stay for sunset, you drive back in the dark: slow down and watch for motorbikes at the roadside. Keep to paved roads: no off-road driving and no driving through flood water.
Driving area and distance
Allowed on every rental length (Thai side)
Nong Khai 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. Whatever the length, though, the car may not cross the bridge into Laos. See the full driving area
Distance: the round trip from the airport is about 125 km, inside the contract's average of 200 km a day even on a 1-day rental (distance above the pooled allowance costs ฿10 per km).
A sample half-day
The times of day are rough; adjust them to where you are staying.
Afternoon to evening
Sala Kaeo Ku, the riverside and a Mekong sunset
- After lunchLeave Udon, about an hour's driveFull tank, route already set.
- AfternoonSala Kaeo KuWalk round the sculpture garden.
- EveningTha Sadet market and the riversideSouvenirs, a stroll, then sunset over the Mekong.
- After darkDrive back to UdonAbout an hour; take it slowly in the dark.
Got a whole day? The Tourism Authority of Thailand suggests a loop from Phu Phrabat (about 65 km from both Udon Thani and Nong Khai) to Sala Kaeo Ku and a sunset on the Mekong (TAT Newsroom).
- After lunch
Returning the car late? 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.
Tips before you go
- Hat, water and sunscreen. Sala Kaeo Ku is an open-air garden.
- Check Sala Kaeo Ku's opening hours before you leave Udon. We found no current official hours.
- Going on to Laos? Take the international bus; the rental car stays in Thailand.
- 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 trip follows the main road between Udon Thani and Nong Khai, 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
Planning Nong Khai? Book your car first.
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).
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Sources: Sala Kaeo Ku and the Phu Phrabat – Nong Khai – Mekong loop: TAT Newsroom, Nov 2026 · Tha Sadet market: MGR Online, 3 Jun 2022 (Thai) · First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge: Australian Embassy Thailand · BKS international buses: Bangkok Biz News (Thai) · distances and drive times: routes on OpenStreetMap · all checked 8 Nov 2026
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