🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Nong Khai Aquarium is an educational aquarium run by Khon Kaen University's Nong Khai campus. Its focus is the fish of the Mekong basin, which are hard to see in the wild, especially big species like the giant Mekong catfish, shown alongside a separate zone of bright saltwater fish. Kids love walking through the glass tunnel with fish swimming all around them, and because it is an air-conditioned indoor building it stays comfortable even when the sun is fierce. A visit takes about one to two hours, which is just right for a family trip.
Highlights for kids
The route is designed to start upstairs with the saltwater fish and slope gently down to the freshwater floor with the Mekong-basin species. Small children can follow along without tiring, and there are plenty of spots to stop and watch up close.
- Underwater fish tunnel, around 34 metres long — the highlight kids get most excited about, walking under the tank with fish gliding over their heads on every side.
- Giant Mekong catfish and big river fish — the large tank holds enormous fish you rarely get to see, and their real-life size leaves a lot of children speechless.
- Replica sunken temple — in the middle of the big tank sits a model of a temple sunk in the Mekong, a nice backdrop as fish swim in and out and an easy photo spot.
- Bright saltwater zone — clownfish and other colourful reef fish contrast with the freshwater tanks, so kids can compare the two worlds.
- Diver feeding show — a scuba diver goes into the big tank to feed the fish, and children love watching the fish crowd in as the diver releases the food.
How to make the most of it with kids
If you want your children to catch the diver feeding show, check the times before you go. On weekdays there is usually an afternoon round around 2pm, while on weekends and public holidays there is often an added late-morning round around 11am (times can change, so ask on the day or check the venue's page). The building is air-conditioned and fairly cold, so pack a light layer for little ones and they will be much happier.
Before you go
- Opening hours — open Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 9am to 4.30pm, and closed on Mondays (except when a Monday falls on a public holiday, when it usually opens as normal).
- Approximate entry fee — children and students around ฿30–50, Thai adults around ฿50–80, and foreign visitors around ฿100–150 (prices vary between sources, so treat these as estimates and check on the day).
- Getting there — it is on the Khon Kaen University Nong Khai campus in Nong Kom Ko, about 4km from Nong Khai town. It is easy to reach by car or a hired ride, there is parking, and you can drop a pin for "Nong Khai Aquarium" in Google Maps.
- Suitable ages — good for all ages, from toddlers in strollers to older kids. The walkways are gentle ramps that are easy to push a stroller along, and the fish tunnel tends to thrill kindergarten age and up who are just starting to get excited about animals.
Safety and value
The interior is kept fairly dim so the fish show up well, so hold small children's hands through the tunnel and on the ramps. This is an educational aquarium centred on Mekong-basin fish and conservation, and the only activity is a diver feeding the fish in the tank, with no performing-animal shows. That means kids get both the fun and the learning. With a modest entry fee and a visit of about one to two hours, it is good value for a half-day escape from the heat.
Plan a full Nong Khai trip
See the Nong Khai travel guide →