Ing Oun Guesthouse Nakhon Phanom — A Guesthouse in a Restored French-Era Building, a Walk from Phra That Phanom and the Market, at Budget Prices
If you're coming to That Phanom to pay respects at the Phra That and you want somewhere with more character than a plain box room, remember the name Ing Oun Guesthouse (Baan Ingoon Guesthouse) · It's a small guesthouse set in a thoughtfully restored French-Indochinese building that has been open since 2012, on Phanom Phanarak Road · There are only a handful of rooms, and the front ones have classic wooden louvre shutters and a small balcony over the street · What guests like most is that it's just one block from the Mekong, and a few minutes' walk to Phra That Phanom and the morning market · From approx. THB 550/night.
Ing Oun Guesthouse — known in Thai as Baan Ingoon Guesthouse — has been open since 2012 as a budget 2-star guesthouse on Phanom Phanarak Road in That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom · What sets it apart from the usual hundred-baht stays is that the building is a French-Indochinese shophouse that has been carefully restored — old plaster, a varnished wooden staircase, and louvre shutters that still hold the feel of an earlier era · It's a small place with just a few rooms, so it feels quiet and private, more like staying in a friend's home than a hotel.
Location is the main reason people choose it · The guesthouse sits in the heart of old That Phanom, just one block from the Mekong and about a 5-minute walk from Phra That Phanom, the revered stupa most visitors come to see · Around the property you'll find the That Phanom morning market, local eateries and small cafés, all within walking distance · That means you can wake up, walk the market, pay respects at the Phra That and stroll back without ever needing a car.
"Such a beautiful old building, the room was small but clean, the owner was kind, and it's only a few minutes' walk to Phra That Phanom — far better value than expected."
The rooms here are small and simply done, but clean and comfortable · Each comes with air conditioning, a firm bed with good-quality linens, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge and an en-suite wet bathroom with hot water · The room many guests ask for is one of the front rooms, with wooden louvre shutters and a small balcony over the street — open them up and you get the full old-town atmosphere · Downstairs there's a relaxed sitting area where breakfast is served · Facilities are kept simple in line with a guesthouse: free Wi-Fi, parking, room service, and an airport transfer on request.
Because it's a small guesthouse in an old building, the thing to understand before booking is that rooms are compact and there are only a few of them · If you want a spacious room or full hotel facilities, this may not be the right fit · The building is genuinely old, so it shows some age in places, and the upper floor is reached by a wooden staircase with no lift · Breakfast and the airport transfer are best confirmed when you book, as this is a small, owner-run place where the front desk may not be staffed 24 hours — if you arrive late, give your time in advance.
One more thing to know: the guesthouse is in That Phanom, not in Nakhon Phanom town, which is about 50 km away · If your plans centre on Nakhon Phanom city — the Mekong Walking Street or the Phaya Si Sattanakharat naga statue — staying in That Phanom is a bit far · But if your main goal is to visit Phra That Phanom, soak up the old riverside town and live at a slow, local pace, Ing Oun's location is an advantage you won't get from a hotel in the city.
The verdict from real guest reviews: Ing Oun Guesthouse is best for travellers who want to stay near Phra That Phanom in somewhere with character, at a budget price · It suits couples, solo travellers and backpackers who enjoy old-town atmosphere on a tight budget more than those who want a large room or full facilities · If you can accept a small room in an old, owner-run building, it's one of the most bookable options for a night in That Phanom.
A tip from following Nakhon Phanom stays: ask for a front room with the wooden shutters and balcony for the fullest old-town feel · During the Phra That Phanom homage festival (around February–March) crowds pour into That Phanom — rooms near the stupa fill fast and rates climb — so if you're coming then, book several weeks ahead and lock in a free-cancellation rate first.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Beautifully restored French-Indochinese building, full of character
- ✓ Walk to Phra That Phanom and the market; one block from the Mekong
- ✓ Small but clean rooms with air-con and hot water, comfortable beds
- ✓ Budget rates, good value; friendly, attentive owner and staff
- ! Compact rooms and only a few of them, so book ahead
- ! It's an old building with no lift; the upper floor is up a wooden staircase
- ! In That Phanom, not Nakhon Phanom town (about 50 km away)
- ✓ Excellent location near Phra That Phanom and the river, all walkable
- ✓ Simply furnished but comfortable, clean, quiet and private
- ✓ Friendly, warm small-guesthouse service
- ✓ Budget price that's good value for the room and the location
- ! Front rooms over the street can get some noise at times
- ! Simple facilities — no pool or in-house restaurant
- ! Front desk may not be 24-hour; give your check-in time in advance
- 💡If your main goal is Nakhon Phanom town, the Mekong Walking Street or the Phaya Si Sattanakharat statue — this is in That Phanom, about 50 km away → a hotel in Nakhon Phanom city will be more convenient.
- 💡If you want a spacious room or full hotel facilities — this is a small guesthouse in an old building with compact rooms and no lift → step up to a larger hotel if you want more comfort.
- 💡If you come during the Phra That Phanom festival (February–March) — rooms near the stupa fill fast and rates rise → book several weeks ahead and lock in a free-cancellation rate first.