[2] Khon Kaen is on the Khorat Plateau, elevation 187 m,[3] and is the center of the mid-northeastern provincial group of Thailand, according to the Thai government.

Highway 230, a modern, multi-lane by-pass enables through-traffic to avoid the city center to the west, and connects to the airport, the new main bus station (BKS3).

Its plans for a 26 km light rail network from Samran to Tha Phra in the Mueang Khon Kaen District are complete and awaiting Thai Cabinet approval before bidding on the project can begin.

[6] Thailand's 2014 EU Film Festival included Khon Kaen, together with Chiang Mai and Bangkok, as host locations.

The monsoon season runs from May until October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.