International visitors to Thailand will already be familiar with the likes of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui and Phuket. These are all wonderful places to visit, but there is so much more to Thailand than just the mainstream destinations. Anyone prepared to venture away from the main tourist trail will be rewarded with memorable experiences and a chance to discover the diversity that makes Thailand so amazing.
Thailand’s northeast region of Isaan is a classic example of an area that many visitors overlook but which offers so much. While Isaan has previously been dismissed by travellers as an agricultural region with little to see and do, this is far from the truth. First-time visitors to Khon Kaen are often surprised by how dynamic the city is. Home to one of the biggest universities in the region, this is a creative city with a lively music scene and plenty of choice for foodies. And with innovative and stylish hotels like Ad Lib Khon Kaen, travellers can stay in comfort and experience another side of Thailand away from the main tourist trail.
Restoring the pride in Khon Kaen
Ad Lib Hotel is a symbol of Khon Kaen’s renaissance. The Asian financial crisis (known in Thailand as the ‘Tom Yum Kung Crisis’) dented property development across the country. Notable casualties included the Sathorn Unique Tower in Bangkok, which remains unfinished and unloved and is known colloquially as the ‘Ghost Tower’. A similar fate befell the building that is now home to Ad Lib Khon Kaen.
However, the owners of Ad Lib saw the opportunity to regenerate not only the building, but also the surrounding city centre area. Their vision saw an unloved building turn into a beacon of innovation and regeneration. Their support for Khon Kaen has played an integral part in restoring the pride in the city and encouraged others to invest in Khon Kaen.
Responsible Thailand Awards
A shining light in the responsible travel sector, Ad Lib Khon Kaen represents more than just a hotel, more than just a stay. Amidst strong competition, Ad Lib Khon Kaen were runner-up in the 2024 Responsible Thailand Awards in the Responsible Community Tourism category.
The judges described Ad Lib Khon Kaen as a great example for other hotels to follow. In particular, the judges loved the way Ad Lib promotes and supports Isaan culture. Through initiatives like the ‘Explore Khon Kaen’ program, together with practical support for local artists and musicians, Ad Lib shows what is possible when you work hand-in-hand with the local community.
Supporting Isaan culture
With its central location, Ad Lib Khon Kaen is an ideal base for exploring the city and beyond. The hotel provides guests with authentic, immersive experiences that actively support the local economy and celebrate regional culture.
By partnering with local guides, Ad Lib offers community-based tours and culinary journeys that highlight traditional Isaan flavours and ways of life. The hotel has also been proactive in supporting cultural events and engaging with the local community.
Explore Khon Kaen
Ad Lib’s ‘Explore Khon Kaen’ program is a wonderful example of community-based tourism that benefits all involved. The hotel has forged strong alliances with local guides and culinary experts to curate unique, community-centric tours and gastronomic adventures.
Guests staying at the hotel get to enjoy authentic local experiences while the local community benefits not just financially, but also culturally. By showing the younger generation that the culture of their region is interesting to tourists and something to be proud of, the ‘Explore Khon Kaen’ initiative is helping to preserve local traditions.
KaenKaew Live House
Ad Lib’s in-house music venue, KaenKaew Live House, is another fabulous example of promoting local culture.
With panoramic views of Khon Kaen, this is a venue where contemporary sounds meet the soulful rhythms of tradition. From traditional jazz to the infectious sounds of morlam — the vibrant folk performance that embodies the spirit of Isaan — Live House is a wonderful place to spend the evening.
By spotlighting local talent and blending modern music with age-old artistry, Ad Lib Khon Kaen not only celebrates Isaan’s rich cultural heritage but also empowers local artists with sustainable livelihoods.
Farm-to-table
Ad Lib Khon Kaen is promoting the farm-to-table concept at their restaurants, including the innovative Food by Fire Grillhouse.
The restaurant is inspired by Isaan’s culinary heritage, a heritage rooted in the region’s wild ingredients, seasonal produce, and centuries-old mastery of cooking with fire and fermentation. Dishes reflect the chef’s deep respect for tradition, innovation, and the natural bounty of Northeast Thailand.
As part of Ad Lib’s commitment to sustainability and community empowerment, their farm-to-table program aims to:
- Support and strengthen local farmers and producers
- Create jobs in agriculture and related sectors
- Preserve traditional farming practices and protect local landscapes
- Minimise environmental impact through reduced food transport miles
- Foster community pride and a strong sense of cultural identity
Helping the next generation
Ad Lib Khon Kaen’s groundbreaking apprenticeship program empowers local youth to discover diverse career paths within the hospitality industry. By cultivating essential skills and fostering homegrown talent, this initiative also brings a vibrant, new perspective to storytelling and guest experiences.
Green credentials
While Ad Lib Khon Kaen has been an asset for the local community, they have also achieved admirable success with their numerous sustainability initiatives.
By taking over an abandoned building and repurposing it into a creative mixed-use space that incorporates a hotel, 73,000 tonnes of concrete and 3,700 tonnes of steel were saved. Recycled materials were used throughout the renovation, and public areas were designed to maximise natural airflow, reducing the need for energy-hungry cooling systems.
Part of the Khon Kaen Innovation Centre, the hotel is powered by 900 MWh of solar energy annually and proudly stands as the region’s first eco-friendly hotel.
Khon Kaen Innovation Centre
Ad Lib Khon Kaen is owned by the Mitr Phol Group. As the largest sugar producer in Asia, they have a long association with Khon Kaen and the Isaan region. The development of Ad Lib Khon Kaen is part of their way of giving back to the local area.
Ad Lib Hotel shares the building with the Khon Kaen Innovation Centre, which is also home to Mitr Phol’s research and development (R&D) headquarters. The R&D centre specialises in the development of food ingredients, biotechnology and sustainability.
Mitr Phol has set zero-waste and carbon-neutral goals, and this has resulted in the development of a smart waste treatment and recycling system. Each year, an impressive 80,000 cubic meters of water are recycled. Water is a precious commodity for the farming communities of Isaan, and initiatives like this are great to see.
Stay at Ad Lib Khon Kaen
Ad Lib Khon Kaen is at the heart of the community and a wonderful example of a hotel that gets so many things right.
Khon Kaen is just a one-hour flight from Bangkok, with daily departures from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. For a more scenic journey, hop on a train from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. The 08:45 service arrives in Khon Kaen at 15:30, placing you just a 15-minute walk or a short tuk-tuk ride from the city centre and the Ad Lib Hotel.
Check the Ad Lib Khon Kaen website and social media platforms for details of promotions and special events:
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Photos: Ad Lib Khon Kaen
