Located at the heart of the Northeastern Thailand (Isan), Khon Kaen is one of the major cities under the National Economic and Social Plan of the country along with Chiang Mai, Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chonburi. The city itself, with the official census population of 140,000 as at 2006, regionally centers development in terms of education, financial institutions, government offices and transportation.