🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Wat Pha Tak Suea sits on top of Pha Tang hill in Pha Tang sub-district, Sangkhom district, about 80–100 km from the city of Nong Khai, roughly an hour and a half by car. The thing everyone comes for is the skywalk, a U-shaped clear glass walkway that extends out past the edge of the cliff. Stand at the tip and look down and you'll see the Mekong curving below, with Laos on the far bank. It's a wide, quiet view you won't find in town.
What's the skywalk like, is it scary?
The skywalk here is billed as Thailand's first clear glass floor, built as a U-shaped path that pushes out past the cliff edge. The floor is thick glass you can see straight through, down to the cliff face and the Mekong tens of metres below. If you're afraid of heights your legs might wobble on the first step, but the glass is solid and there's a handrail, so after a minute you settle in. People who like the thrill end up taking photos and not wanting to come back off.
- You need shoe covers before stepping onto the glass — there's a service stand at the entrance, about 20 THB per pair, to keep the glass from scratching and getting slippery.
- Only a few people on at a time — the walkway caps the number on the glass at once at around 20 people, so on weekends you may wait a little for your photo turn.
- Midday sun makes the glass hot — around noon the glass floor reflects the sun and gets hot. Shoe covers help, but if you can, mornings are more comfortable.
- Watch your belongings — hold your phone, glasses and hat tight, because below the glass is a real cliff.
Photo tip
If you want a clear shot of the Mekong with no one walking through frame, come right at opening in the morning when the light is still soft and the crowds are thin. Later in the afternoon the sun hits the cliff and makes the river's colour richer. Pick whichever light you prefer.
Want more out of Nong Khai? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The winding Mekong and the sea of fog
What sets Pha Tak Suea apart from other viewpoints is the angle where you see the Mekong bend into an S-curve through the valley. Your phone camera captures it beautifully with barely any editing. Across the river are the mountains and villages on the Laos side, and on a clear day you can see for miles.
The time people really plan their visit around is winter, roughly November to February, because at dawn a sea of fog drifts over the Mekong. As the sun rises the fog slowly thins and reveals the river below. To catch the fog you have to be willing to wake up early and leave extra time for the drive up the hill. In the rainy season the views are lush and green, but the sky may close in at times.
What else is at the temple
Beyond the skywalk, the temple grounds are a shady, quiet forest monastery of the Dhammayut tradition, with spots to stroll and pay respects up on the hill. Several corners open out to Mekong views too. You can wander around at an easy pace, and the whole thing takes about one to two hours to cover.
- Viewpoints around the temple — besides the skywalk, there are terraces and rest spots with Mekong views that don't require stepping onto the glass, good if you're afraid of heights.
- It's an active meditation temple — dress modestly, speak softly and take your rubbish back out. Basic courtesy worth keeping.
- Small drink and snack stalls — there are a few stalls selling drinks and snacks down below, but not many, so it's better to bring water in the car.
Getting to Wat Pha Tak Suea
The temple is in Sangkhom district, the far western edge of Nong Khai, right up against the Loei border. There's no public transport straight there. The easiest option is to drive yourself or rent/charter a vehicle. The popular route runs from the city of Nong Khai along Highway 211 hugging the Mekong, through Tha Bo and Si Chiang Mai districts, a riverside road that stays scenic the whole way, then turns up the hill near the end.
- Drive from the city of Nong Khai — about 80–100 km, roughly 1.5 hours along Route 211 beside the Mekong. The road is in good shape, but the climb up the hill is winding, so take it slow.
- Rent a vehicle in town — there are car and motorbike rentals in the city of Nong Khai, good if you want to hit several stops along the riverside road in one day.
- Charter a car / local taxi — if you're not driving, chartering a car round trip is the easiest option. Agree on the price and stops clearly before you set off.
- There's a car park — there's parking up at the temple, and you can drive up and park near the skywalk entrance.
Straight talk
Pha Tak Suea is a fair way out from the city. If you're only in Nong Khai for a day and don't have a vehicle, getting here can eat up the whole day. If you really want to go, leave at least half a day for it, and pair it with other stops along the riverside road to make the petrol worthwhile.
Opening hours and costs
- Opening hours — the temple grounds are broadly open around 6:00 AM–6:00 PM, while the skywalk opens from mid-morning to evening (roughly 8:00/9:30 AM–4:30/5:00 PM). Double-check with the temple's page before you go, as times can change.
- Temple entry — no entry fee; donate as you wish.
- Shoe-cover fee for the glass — about 20 THB per person, paid at the skywalk entrance.
- Quieter days — weekdays are thinner than weekends. If you can choose, come on a weekday for easier photos and no long queue.
More to see along the riverside road
Since you've driven all the way out to Sangkhom, pairing it with other stops on Route 211 makes a lot more sense. This road follows the Mekong through several districts, with riverside temples, waterfalls and viewpoints to pull over for.
Wat Hin Mak Peng
A shady riverside forest monastery with stone terraces and quiet spots to sit and watch the river. It's on the same route, so it's an easy stop.
WaterfallThan Thong Waterfall
A wide rocky-shelf waterfall in Sangkhom, good for cooling off after coming down the hill. Plenty of water and pretty in the rainy season.
Si Chiang Mai district
A riverside town across from Vientiane, with markets and riverfront cafes. A good place to stop for a meal or a coffee with a Mekong view along the way.
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