About the City

Khon Kaen is the largest city in Khon Kaen Province and has an urban population of around 130,000. The province covers an area of 10,886 km² and is located 450 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, in an area which has for decades been one of the poorest regions in the country. The city is a banking and commercial hub, a centre for fish net production, and an important centre in the regional transportation network of the northeast. Main products include rice, tapioca, cassava chips, flour, textiles, fish, carpet, vegetable seeds, and paper pulp. The city also houses many educational facilities, including a major national university.

Successful City Initiatives

Khon Kaen has been going to great lengths to improve the educational environment of the city. The city has implemented a policy to allow a more integrated learning environment where interaction outside of the classroom, in nature or at facilities such as museums, is encouraged as part of a self-discovery approach to learning. The issue of solid waste management is also being tackled with creative schemes to reduce waste through composting, segregation and recycling. Khon Kaen residents have been taught how to convert waste into organic fertilizer and, with 70 tonnes of organic waste produced per day; this strategy can help to reduce this by 15 tonnes per day.

Issues Affecting the City

Poverty is a serious issue and over 60% of farmers in the northeast are in debt. This high level of debt in farming communities is a major contributing factor in migration to the cities. Regarding education, presently the city provides education for local children, as well as children from rural areas who come to the city seeking better educational opportunities. This demand increases the burden on the local school system. Another local issue is solid waste management, with 150 tonnes of garbage produced each day. The present landfill site will soon reach capacity, leaving the city with an urgent need to develop and improve waste management strategies.