As a tourist through the Isan
Less than 10 percent of foreign tourists who come to Thailand visit the northeast, the Isaanare on their program. That's a pity, because this largest region of the kingdom has a lot to recommend: temples from the Khmer period, rambles along the cities on the great Mekong River, a spicy, say very sharply peppered kitchen and, above all, an incredibly friendly and hospitable population .
Yes, a visit to the Isaan also has some disadvantages. The major urban centers are a bit dull and offer little nightlife, English is not widely spoken and some rural roads are in dire need of renovation.
But don't let those drawbacks stop you from an interesting exploration of Thailand's most unexplored area. I have mapped out a logical route for you, which can be done in about a week. It's basically a round trip, so you can start in any of the cities listed below.
Wat Non Kum, Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima
Often referred to as Khorat, this city, about a three-hour drive northeast of Bangkok, is located on the Khorat Plateau. It is a very sprawling city with a quarter of a million inhabitants and is easily accessible from Bangkok by car via the highway Nr. 1. To spend the night I recommend the Hermitage Resort, a mid-range hotel with a good Spa and a Chinese Restaurant. In the karaoke bar you can then soak up a bit of the “nightlife” in the northeast.
Khorat is a nice base for a visit to the Khao Yai National Park, the Pensuk ranch, where a Wild West town has been recreated, complete with cowboys and Indians. On the way from Bangkok you already passed the Chockchai farm, known for a number of popular dairy products, where you will get to know a Thai dairy farm in an interesting and educational way. Also on this ranch an excellent steak restaurant. Please note: it is particularly busy here on weekends.
Phimai historical park
Phimai historical park
About 60 kilometers north of Khorat, the Phimai Historical Park is located in the city of Phimai, a former outpost of the Angkor Empire. In fact, some of the well-preserved structures here are believed to predate Angkor Wat. The centerpiece of this park is the tumultuous early 11th-century Prasat Hin Phimai, a colossal sandstone shrine.
Khon Kaen – Angel House Studio / Shutterstock.com
Khon Kaen
Khon Kaen, the province north of Khorat also has a lot to offer the tourist, I will only mention a few. For those fascinated by reptiles and dinosaurs - and what boy isn't? – is it interesting to visit the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum. The museum is located in Phu Wiang National Park, near Khon Kaen. In this museum are a number of dinosaur skeletons, which were first discovered in Thailand in 1976. In the park you will find several construction pits where some of these skeletons have been excavated.
A visit here can be nicely combined with a trip to Ban Kok Sa-Nga (Cobra Village), where the population performs snake shows, and Ban Kok Tortoise Town (Turtle Town). In this town, hundreds of "sacred" turtles trudge through the streets. Both places are about 50 kilometers outside Khon Kaen and are well signposted.
Khmer Temple in Buriram
Buri Ram
Buri Ram means "pleasant city", but frankly there is not much exciting to say about it. It is a good starting point for a visit to the phenomenal Wat Khao Phnom Ruang. This temple is located on a hill from where you can enjoy great views of the green countryside. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, a Hindu deity, and also includes a large solid stone phallic monument, a sexual object of worship. After a few hours you have seen it all and it is good to visit the city of the elephants a little further on.
Surin
Surin
Surin is the place where the cultures of Laos, Khmer, Thai and Kui come together. It is depicted in the province's coat of arms, the Hindu god Indra riding a sacred elephant with a Khmer-style shrine in the background.
Surin in the province of the elephants. Shows are performed daily at the Elephant Study Center in Baan Ta Klang. It's not just about the show here, as the center also cares for many abused and injured elephants. If you happen to be heading that way in November, you'll hit it with the annual Elephant Festival, a grand event featuring hundreds of elephants.
The Mekong River
The Mekong River
The Mekong River is the most important river in Southeast Asia when it comes to trade and culture, you will find hundreds of towns, villages and cities along the river with a rich history and countless sights. Drive along the river from Ubon Ratchatani, Yasathon, Mukdahan to Nakhon Phanom province. The provincial capital of the same name is now a sleepy town, but with a violent past thanks to its proximity to Laos. During the Vietnam War, Ho Chi Minh took refuge in the village of Ban Nachok for three years. The former residence of this Vietnamese leader now functions as a museum, showcasing his revolutionary life.
Nong Khai
Nong Khai
To enjoy the maritime atmosphere of the Mekong even more, a visit to Nong Khai is recommended. The mysterious river is a bit like Loch Ness, although here the mystery is revealed annually during the Naga Fireball Festival in October. During this festival, small and large fireballs rise from the river. There is a scientific explanation for this phenomenon, but believe the people, because it is the dragon-like creatures that live at the bottom of the river that shoot these fireballs. In this way they pay homage to Buddha.
Rent a bicycle in Nog Khai, take a ride along the river and visit the surreal sculpture garden of Sala Kaewkoo. More than 100 sculptures, some of them 20 to 25 meters high, depict Buddhist and Hindu figures.
Chiang Khan
Chiang Khan
We continue and drive to Chiang Khan, a rustic town on the Mekong in the mountainous province of Loei. In this town with photogenic wooden houses, shops and restaurants you can really relax, because life here seems to be set at the pace of a sleepwalker.
To spend the night, the Chiang Khan Guesthouse is recommended, run by a Dutch/Thai couple. The couple is known to be very hospitable and they are happy to arrange all kinds of trips, for example to Chateau de Loei, a famous vineyard. The guesthouse itself, housed in a teak house, has a more than excellent restaurant.
Postscript Gringo
The above is an excerpt from Tuttle Travel Pack Thailand, a booklet that retails for around 500 Baht.
Yes, do the Isaan in a week is like what the Americans do with Europe, a multi-day trip and they have seen "all of Europe". The Isaan has much more to offer than what is stated in this article and I agree with what was said at the beginning: it is a shame that so few tourists neglect this interesting part of Thailand. I will definitely come back to it more often.
I made this trip in 1994 and 1995. Like Gringo, I can recommend such a trip. I stayed twice for almost 4 weeks in a village in the province of Buriram, from where I saw almost everything that Gringo mentioned, with the exception of Nong Khai . I hope to visit Nong Khai in the coming year and perhaps to cross the border to Laos
Dear Chris,
A good idea! Nongkai is cozy and very close to the “cosy” capital of Laos. You need a visa for Laos and it will be issued very quickly! Fill in a passport photo and a list, pay 40€ and Kees is done. Just across the border you take a bus (15 THB) to the border with Laos. Once your documents are in order, take a taxi for 200 THB and you are in Vientiane!
Have fun traveling! We live 125 km from the border with Laos!
Jan
W
Sawang Daen Din
Thailand
Nice piece! Indeed a forgotten area for many tourists! Beautiful waterfalls, huge rubber plantations, there are many festivals, the surroundings of Bueng Khon Long with the large lake are beautiful. The Mekong River. This is the real Thailand. Boring? Forget it!
It is indeed a forgotten part of Thailand, so this promotion is appropriate. The Thai lives in a different way and that is also very worthwhile. our family lives in Mahasarakham and Surin.
Karel, do you know a good Resort or Hotel in Surin and places of interest in/around Surin?
Thank you in advance
Hi Jan,
Majestic at the bus station is good. Approx 1000 baht pn. A new hotel has been built near the train station. I don't know, but it looked nice. Walk out of the station, after 50 m turn left at the spectacle shop and then right after 50 m.
Silk weaving Plm 10 km north of the city. 2nd week of November the elephant entry. Phanom Rung temple is further away but can also be done by car.
Succes
Majestic now charges 1200thb/nt (stayed 2 weeks ago). Breakfast buffet incl. Bit overpriced but there is nothing better in the area!
If you are interested in Khmer temple sites I can recommend the Prasat Muang Thom. South of Surin at the end of Rd 2407, bang on the border with Cambodia – cfr Google Maps. Little known (don't pay an entrance fee yet!), but more than worth it and comparable to Prasat Muang Tam, near the Phanom Rung in Buriram.
On some listings for “The Best Places to Retire in the World” nong khai is mentioned, in the article below nong khai is on place 8. I will definitely check it out.
http://www.squidoo.com/the-best-places-to-retire
There is an obvious error at the bottom of the article:
“It's a shame that so few tourists neglect this interesting part of Thailand. I will definitely come back to it more often”.
There are also very few people in Isan who can speak English….
Jan, I never wanted to make a mistake, but you are right.
Either few people visit Isaan or many people neglect Isaan, you can choose.
During my first solo tour in Thailand in 2008 I noticed after 14 days that the Lonley PLanet only spends 3 to 4 pages on this large area. Left Lonley Planet in Ghuesthouse in Kanchanaburi and took the bus to Isaan. First in stages to Chaiyaphum and then from region to region for 3 months. Rented a motorbike in the place where I stayed and a map of the Changwat with the numbered roads (no longer available) and let me get lost with nice encounters and let the discoveries come over me. Never had a problem.
Is it true that very few people in Isaan speak English. They don't see the point in it either. I have a grandson who has been taking English lessons at school for years (Saturday school) but he still doesn't speak a word of English. Even if I say something simple in English to him, he looks at me meaninglessly, smiles a little and he's gone.
Have already spoken to Thai several times that this knowledge would attract tourists, but it does not matter to them.
Perhaps people have become so apathetic because they have been left behind by Krung Thep for years and years.
English is indeed a shortcoming in Isaan. But the education is also very bad here. There are no incentives at all. It will also be a concern for educators.
I heard from an Australian who worked as a teacher in Ubon that the lessons are given by two teachers together. One English speaker and one Thai who translates everything into their own language (I wonder about the quality of those translations). What's the point of having an English speaking teacher!? You will never learn English that way.
Too bad, a lost opportunity.
Another “fun” fact is that you can't keep up at school if you don't try hard enough. Because staying put is not good for the child's soul. As a result, many get their "high school" diploma while snoring. Explains a lot doesn't it?
By the way .. there are also few foreigners or fellow citizens who speak Thai or Khmer.
In the end we are guests in this hospitable beautiful region.
Don't advertise too much, too much has already been destroyed!
. The big urban centers are a bit boring and offer little nightlife?
Absolutely not!!!
I live in the city of Khon Kaen and there is a lot of varied nightlife there!!!
I have been living in the Isan for seven years.
In Khon Kaen
And how glad I am that I see so few tourists!
So Gringo, and indeed I appreciate your bits very much, please don't advertise the Isan.
And Sietse, don't advertise the nightlife in Khon Kaen.
Most of us who live, or live and work, in Khon Kaen have no need at all for hordes of tourists who drive up all the prices horribly and further ruin the character of the Isan.
It's fine with us.
Just go to Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and those kinds of tourist resorts, and especially leave the Isan to the left, or to the right
Dank U
Totally agree with HansNL! Stories on the internet about how beautiful a certain region, city or place is have a huge impact. Now, because of this review on Thailand blog, hordes will not suddenly travel to the Isan, but I keep all those special places in Thailand, which I have encountered over the years through some chance and a bit of adventurism, nice to myself and at most share them with family and friends. I advise everyone, if you feel like it, to go on a "journey of discovery" on your own and enjoy what you find along the way.
dear leo.
You don't have to be afraid of all those hordes of tourists in Isan, because research into the choice behavior of tourists shows that the internet (and other means of communication) has very little influence on choosing a holiday destination. Almost all destinations in the WHOLE world are presented on the internet and the current flows of holidaymakers are quite predictable from the past. There is therefore a high degree of habitual behavior and a very gradual growth of interesting destinations. Word-of-mouth advertising works best. So don't tell family and friends.
Dear Chris,
Nice response from you and also a reassurance too. While you may have hit the nail on the head with your advice not to tell family and friends, I won't quite follow it. Of course there must be something to tell when we get home and everyone asks if we enjoyed ourselves. Best regards and have fun anywhere in Thailand.
Totally agree! Life is great in Isaan! Friends from the Netherlands keep asking me if I'm bored, because, they say, there's so little to do there. They don't know any better, and I leave it that way!
And that's how I feel about it.
Don't live in Isan but in Lamphun province.
Not far from Chiangmai city
But I am therefore glad that there are no or very few tourists here.
Keep it that way.
Jan Beute.
It is understandable that you want to keep that peace. But….Can you also provide all the people in Isaan with sufficient income?
Dear Gringo,
Very nice of you to take a closer look at the Isaan.
There is still so much to discover there that many people have not discovered until now.
MMM you turned left at Nong Khai, if you turn right along the Mekong and towards Pak Khat (where I have my house 16 KM inland and don't stay longer than you do) to Bung Kan are also nice things to do, such as climbing a rock via wooden stairs (only rock in the meadow area) where you can take beautiful pictures. there are also waterfalls, but this is seasonal.
There are also many options for going out there.
At first we belonged to Nong Khai but it became too big and a large part was split up to Bung Kan.
Furthermore, many Lotus supermarkets have been added on the way for about five years now, so if there is a craving for falang foot you can indulge yourself.
I would say I could tell you more but this is getting too long.
Furthermore, nice book and nice stories... hope there will be more.
PRINTING ERRORS SUBJECT TO.
Yours faithfully,
Erwin
Dear Erwin.
I also live in the boring Isaan. I first lived in Nong bua lamphu, which is also the Isaan, for 4 years, and now for 3 1/2 years in a village 12 km from Pak Khat.
Boredom has never struck me, I have built a new house here and live near the beautiful Mekhong river with the great mountains of Laos in the background.
It is indeed quite a trip if you want to go to large department stores, but here too there are some more larger shopping centers and many Tesco lotes and since about 3 months a large
Makro branch in Bueng Kan.
There is also regularly something to do for the people here in the Isaan, such as boat racing for the local population who then enter into competition racing with boats of different lengths.
Often there is rowing town against town or village against village which is very entertaining to watch.
All in all, if you are as resourceful as the Thai here, you will never be bored.
The key question remains how quickly are you satisfied?
Greetings, a satisfied Dutchman in the Isaan
Correct Peter
You don't have to be bored in the Izaan, we spent a week getting to know the beautiful and quiet and many sights there together with your
Dear Gringo,
I forgot something, if you go here in the future, don't forget
to eat the delicious fish from the Mekong.
Yours faithfully,
Erwin
On the other hand, I also know quite a few men who met their love from Isan in Pattaya and then left to live with her in Isan. Let's build a house there, invest in a piece of land to grow crops on it, well, people know the motives that also come up regularly here on this blog.
Nothing against it so far, but from that moment on Pattaya was maligned by them as being the Sodom and Gomarra, too commercial and too touristy, only sex-hungry men go there as a normal person you don't go there, there is nothing good anyway On!
Until the relationship came to an end… However, I noticed that the same men did not continue to live in Isan despite all the praise it was accorded, paradise on earth, the real Thailand!
'Those who have never been to Isan have never been to Thailand' is the standard phrase, how often I have heard it said. 😉
It is conceivable that they did not continue to live with her family in the village, but Isan still covers a larger area than that.
Even in one of the major cities there no domicile was chosen, but for that one former fishing village that is now a well-known seaside resort…
The region around the Lam Ta Kong reservoir, the gateway to the Isaan, as it stands on a rock on the shore of the lake, which is not far from Chockchai Farm, is also a beautiful nature, especially worth it if you like Korat drive to Bangkok. Then you have a very nice view of the beautiful surroundings downhill.
hi,
I know it from hearsay, but close to the Sima Thani hotel in Korat you will find the tents where the nightlife takes place, there is a whole street there where you can choose from bars (and the associated girls :)
My girlfriend (who runs a very nice noodle shop around the corner) likes me there, but I don't need it either, my girlfriend is a sweetheart of a woman and does everything for me. If you want to know more I can ask her.
Have fun and Korat and its surroundings are very beautiful, there is also a dinosaur museum nearby.
Greetings
anton
It's starting to itch.
Hopefully next year I can go to Southeast Asia for a longer period of time (a few months).
I will definitely take these tips to heart.
I've never been to Isaan. As a novice Asia-goer, it also seemed a bit more difficult to go there on your own. Chiangmai or Hua Hin then seemed easier to go there and to stay..
Resolution: I'm going to be among that less than ten percent.
Thanks.
Khon Kaen is not pretty but it is animated.
I went there some years ago in November and helped with the rice harvest (Ubolratana district).
I saw few tourists in Khon Kaen.
And when I saw them, they were senior citizens, accompanied by their local wench.
It has happened that older ladies took hold of my arm…have a feel…
blonde blue eyes pale skin , fairly tall , 25 years old… just like an alien !
The locals were very timid.
Recommended is Ubonrat Dam, Ubolratana district.
See : https://www.google.be/maps/place/Khon+Kaen,+Mueang+Khon+Kaen+District,+Khon+Kaen,+Thailand/@16.6900233,102.7116033,10z/data=!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x3122602b91988e2f:0x93f0805cf799cc6!2sKhon+Kaen,+Mueang+Khon+Kaen+District,+Khon+Kaen,+Thailand!3b1!3m1!1s0x3122602b91988e2f:0x93f0805cf799cc6
en https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzgGF1iQSo0
I didn't find Udon Thani and Khorat worth it at all. Nong Khai was worth it , small border town , perfect to explore by bike , not too busy traffic . stunning sculpture park. Watch out for scams at the border (friendship bridge).
Been to Khon Kaen a few times, large pond with cozy restaurants and that was about it.
You are right with Ubonrat Dam being recommended. I have also been to Khorat and Udon Thani, I think just like you about the cities themselves, by the way, like most of these cities in Thailand, nothing at all, but the environment and nature around these cities is beautiful and full of surprises. If I were to send someone in the Netherlands to Oostvoorne in South Holland, for example, they would also wonder what they should do here. But if you take a walk through the dunes to the sea at Oostvoorne, you can also enjoy the beautiful and relaxing nature. I always find it difficult to advise others what to visit in Thailand. If you've never been there, but there are fewer and fewer, I always recommend an organized tour for the sake of convenience. Saves the newcomer a lot of searching.
And another tip for the day is the zoo of Nakhonratchasima –
a few km to the south (Phakthongchai) –
with a nice water park to cool off,
is all in one ticket for ( farang ) 100 baht .
Is a large area, you can also rent a bicycle
or an electric golf cart,
but very busy on weekends.
mvg
Hello
I too would love to see some of the Isaan region. Last year we did the very touristic route Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Ko Kut. I was a little disappointed how touristy everything was, and I sometimes wondered: is this it? Is this Thailand? The land of smiles and hospitality? I only saw dollar signs in the eyes of many Thais, an ugly capital and a slightly less ugly Chiang Mai. OK and also many beautiful temples and lots of beautiful nature and incredibly good food.
I would like to go for a lot of nature, culture, countryside, even staying with people in a “primitive” (don't get me wrong) village that is not set up for tourists. I would like to go along the Mekong, with public transport or even with some kind of boat(s). But the problem is that you hardly find public transport in this region on the internet. Or it is less easy to get from here to there, unlike on the tourist routes…
Of course, if public transport becomes very simple, then everyone will also come to this region and everything will be ruined like many other places in Thailand. But it would be easy 🙂 driving around there by car, no thank you, saw enough accidents during our “trip” last year…
Does anyone have tips? For example, I would go from BKK (that's where we land of course) to Nakhon Ratchasima (for Khao Yai NP - but apparently that's not easy to reach with public transport!), from there to possibly Buriram, Ubon Ratchathani (for the "Grand Canyon”), to Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kai for the Wat Pu Tok. From there a few river villages (towns) such as Sangkhom, Pak Chom and Chiang Khan. Then maybe via Loei to Lop Buri to end up like this. We have a good 20 full days in Thailand (3/11 to 26/11)
Yep, it's not really adventurous because I want to map everything out a bit in advance. But hey, everyone is different I guess 🙂
Thanks for the comment! Greetings
Hi Briton,
With all due respect ;
If you want to travel and discover the spontaneous nature of Thailand, you should not go off the beaten track.
Vacation is vacation.
Precise and fixed planning seems absurd to me.
Thailand is almost the same size as France.
You haven't seen France in 3 weeks.
I think the (public) transport is well organized in Thailand. Train is not yet an efficient means of transport.
In Bangkok , Khao San area you will find a travel office every X meter . For NP Khao Yai e.g.
Thailand is easy for me to travel.
Ask Tuk Tuk driver or taxi to take you to bus station depending on your destination.
Buses are quite comfortable and cheap. (long journeys about 1 baht per km?) You are on the road for a while... but that's how you see something, that's how you discover the country, the people...
If you want to get to know the real Thailand, you should try to travel as simply as possible and learn a few words of Thai…
Last year I spent 3 weeks in the Philippines and traveling there was a disaster! Expensive , unclear , unsafe (crime)… My opinion remains relative and subjective .
But if you wouldn't like Thailand, why are you going there again for 3 weeks?
Your words / actions are quite contradictory .
Chokdee hood, good luck.
Feel free to let us know.
Sawathi khrap,
Anthony
Hello Anthony
Of course you have not seen France or (part of) Thailand in 3 weeks, I will never claim that. That's why I also say that I want to see in advance where I want to go. In the end I only have 3 weeks and then I really don't have time to figure out where I want to go and how I think I'm going to do that and so on.
In terms of public transport in Isaan, I have read here and there on the internet how/where you can arrange public transport, but to the smaller villages or towns or more special temples (such as the Wat Pu Tok) or the like, is not always described on the Web. I can't imagine not being able to get from one place to another, but it will just be a little less easy to find and might take a little longer to get everywhere. But as you say, then you do see something of the (I read) beautiful landscape.
We wish to do everything ourselves, not through travel agencies in Bangkok.
We succeeded very well last year, also with public transport. Everything was planned quite precisely and that suited us just fine. But, as you say, this was all on the beaten track and so getting from one place to another was really easy.
We could just say we had booked into Guesthouse X or Y and we were taken there by a songthaew from the Bus Arcade. That's the easy thing about planning in advance. Otherwise you can go looking for a guesthouse in the heat with your backpack.
The Northeast of Thailand appeals to me more because I read (almost) everywhere that you see fewer tourists here and that it is therefore less touristy.
Don't get me wrong, I really liked Thailand; we have seen a lot of beautiful things and a lot of beautiful nature, we have eaten incredibly well. Maybe I was a bit naive to think that we would get somewhere where we wouldn't bump into a group of tourists every two meters. Or more tourists than Thai would see.
I just would have liked some tips to see a part of the Isaan on an independent basis (without using my own (rental) car). It just worries me a little that I can't look everything up nicely in advance in this part of Thailand. But at the same time this also appeals to me, yes I understand why you say that my words are quite contradictory
I didn't want to tear down Thailand at all. And I like to travel simply – just prepared
Greetings
Brit
Hi Brit, great idea! More than worth it! I did this myself 2 years ago. From BKK by bus to Surin. From there we made trips to the markets on the border with Cambodia. Further always traveled to a slightly larger place, looked around there for 1 or 2 days, and so step by step to the Mekong. Stationed around Bueng Khon Long, we saw a lot of beautiful things. This lake is located about 20 km from the Mekong. Always eaten in eateries in the smaller towns. Delicious! Hardly seen any tourists. Take a good map with you, and they will be happy to help you at the various bus stations if you point to the map where you want to go. We then went from Isaan to Chang Mai, stayed there for a few days, and then took the train back to BKK. Now I live in the Isaan, I'm having a great time. Live in a small town, be the only foreigner there. Let me know if you want to get in touch.
Bye Hank
Thank you very much for the info! I think we just go from place to place, and from there do one or two sights or national park(s). Bueng Khan we would also like to go there to see / climb up the Wat Pu Tok 🙂 so we just include that lake (which I just looked up) in our “travel schedule” and then possibly stay there for a while longer, since we're not going to do any islands or anything.
If you have more tips in terms of transport and beautiful things to see, or if your town is also so beautiful to view, I would like to know where that is if it is on our route or something 🙂
Nothing has been committed yet, I'm really still looking at everything (but it's already early November that we're leaving 🙂 )
All right, thanks for the info!
I live 50 km from Bueng can you are welcome for a cup of coffee
Hi Brit,
Perhaps old-fashioned for many.
I still use a travel book like lonely planet. Internet is nice but also very fragmented. . Many regions and places are described in the LP. But also how to get there by transport.
It is not a bible but it is useful for getting ideas.
We have a homestay in King Khaen, in the middle of the Isaan, near the Tungulare lake.
A room with AC = 500THB, without 350.4064, Tambon Dong Khrang Noi, Amphoe Kaset Wisai, Chang Wat Roi Et 45150, Thailand
Wim, send me an email address and telephone number. Maybe something for the summer
Gr. Jan
lao0307772273.gmail.com
You can get almost anywhere you want to go, if there is no normal public transport you ask in restaurants or shops or wherever if there is someone who can take you, private individuals like to play for a taxi for a very small fee for us.
Dear editors,
The Chiang Khan Guesthouse has now changed ownership !!
Between 2004 and 2008 I volunteered to teach English in Hokham and Bandung. Openmind projects (OMP) and Mundo exchange have various projects for volunteers.
The attractiveness of Isan is indeed the fact that few tourists come.
Yet there is much to experience. For example, go to Phu Wua, a reserve where wild elephants live. Stay in Kham pia in a homestay (at home with a Thai family). More information about this and other possibilities on the OMP site.
dear chris if you want to go to korat via bangkok it really won't work via highway 1 you will really have to have the 2 otherwise you will never get there Then I have to believe that Buriram does have a nightlife, I'm from Nang Rong myself very nice place but idd no nightlife,
I have already brought many tourists on the back of my motorcycle to the phanom Rung, not to mention the Muang Tam. It is indeed the poor child in Thailand, but it is so terribly beautiful. Time has stood still here. Not that hectic of Bangkok, not that you know from pattaya, no, rest, friendly people.
A friend of mine from the Netherlands was on holiday in Thailand. He would stay with me in the Isaan for 3 days. He's been there for 10 absolutely loved it. That's why too little advertising for the Isaan too bad hope I can contribute something positive to it
I also live in the Isaan in Poncharoen 50 km from Bueng Kan, a city that was only built 4 years ago and is still under construction, I live in a Thai village, no one speaks English, only my 7-year-old grandson and daughter-in-law here you can still see the real Thailand and their culture have lived on koh samui for 4 years and 3 years in chiang mai. have to be honest sometimes i miss a farang restaurant that you don't find here and i don't like isaan food so cook yourself with the resources i have because farang products are here also very scarce there is only a tesco and macro in the city buen kan .know several dutch people here who are very happy .here the thai don't see you as an atm machine and i pay the same prices as the people here themselves .en enjoy every my grandson's day, which is also the reason why I moved here to raise him to learn good English and later also Dutch. The emigration is also the best I've ever experienced in Thailand.
Near the city of Nakhon Ratchasima is the Wat Ban Rai, the Temple in the shape of an elephant, this is really a "must see" of a temple, rarely seen such a spectacular building and nearby are some restaurants where you can eat very well. tasty and for very little can eat.
Roi Et is great for chilling out for a few days around the lake in the center. In the evening you can go to the Mai Tai hotel to dance for 120 Baht per hour (mainly cha cha cha and rumba) with a Thai beauty ...... If you can't dance, these ladies will teach you. Big fun!
Far outdated message, the cities in the Isan have long ceased to be the boring cities as written in this message.
I myself have been living in Muang Buriram for six years now, we have two cozy entertainment centers here (in the center and the Lively Market) with live music every night in many venues and nice entertainment venues are still being added, with very attractive consumer prices (at some cozy occasions even 3 large bottles (0,62 L) of Chang beer for 200 baht), this is partly because there is a large university here with almost 10.000 students, but also because of the football club 'Buriram United' (in the last six years before the fifth time champion of the PL in Thailand), who won avg. Attracts 15.000 spectators and the 'Çhang International Circuit', where the most important motorcycle race in the world, the MotoGP, will be held next year, means that in a few years there will be at least 100 hotels, from cheap to expensive, in and near Muang Buriram, and they are almost all fully booked next year in October, during the MotoGP.
Dear,
Very nice to repost this.
Now a few years later, there are still many people who have seen it in the
tourist areas.
The change is now visible in terms of prices. Thailand's economy is
weak, little import and export and everything becomes more expensive.
I am surprised that so many holidaymakers now look at Thailand differently,
and now want to explore the (boring) part of Thailand.
It remains a beautiful country with much to discover.
It's nice that people realize that the rose-colored glasses can stay on a little longer.
Yours faithfully,
Erwin
Two years ago I traveled with Tour Isaan through the areas that everyone is talking about now.
There is so much to see in Isaan and with these people you see Isaan in a beautiful way.
We have seen so many beautiful things the food was great.
So if you want to see Isaan in a regular way go with Tour Isaan.
Easy and you get two great guides as a gift.
And indeed Isaan is great and we don't always have to go out to enjoy the nightlife
Aad
Dear,
Why I read “the Isaan” so often is not clear to me. It is about a place, a part of the country. I think Isan will suffice.
Compare it with the Ardennes and the Alps.
I live more than 12 years in Mahasarakham, the University city of Isaan
Worth a visit is to look at Wat Pawang Nam Yen, not far from the center
A beautiful temple with a large pagoda and the temples made of teak wood, it has 112 pillars and they are still building.
Roy Et 40 km from Sararakham definitely worth it, go with the kids or without, haha to War Pa Non Sawan you will have a great time
Also Roy Et also has a beautiful temple Pha Nam Thepprasit wanaram, is about 60 km from Roi Et
And of course a visit to Khonkaen Zoo, huge
You can easily find these places in google maps
Unfortunately I have to say the Ubonrat Dam is not really recommended, also cobra and turtle village are not recommended, you are tired in 5 minutes
Flying from Bangkok is a good option with Airasia, but keep in mind that the airport is being renovated
Near the airport is a good resort "Rachawadee"
Also Taksila hotel in the city is worth it.
I have to say that bad writing is again being done about education (a pity)
There is a school here, secondary education, English Program, where proper education is given by native teachers, also at the university lessons are taught in English
My son has completed his bachelor's degree and is now working on his master's
Have fun in Isaan
Dear Gringo,
In the course of time there are many more attractions for children and the elderly in Isaan
Built.
Similarly, a new water park has been built in Pak khat between Nongkhai and Bueng Kan.
The many small restaurants come in all sizes and types.
As for the prices, they are still the same as 20 years ago.
Furthermore, the English language has increased so that people are happy to talk to you.
if this is not the case, we still have hands and feet work.
Yours faithfully,
Erwin
I saw some reactions from me back in 2014. My enthusiasm for the Isaan was certainly there then. That has only become more. There are so many beautiful places here, and you discover more and more the longer you live here! Too many to mention! Beautiful nature, we live near Wat Phu Tok. We can make trips, from our guesthouse, (400 Thb pp) with our 7 seater SUV. Discover the real Thailand, the Isaan!
Exact address?
In Phowmankeng. Bueng Khon Long. E-mail: [email protected]
Watpaphukon.
Worth it on top of a wooded hilltop, a road of several kms leads to it.
Watpaphukon in Udonthani (100km) also 100km from Nong Khai.
https://nl.dreamstime.com/tempel-van-thailand-watpaphukon-udonthani-oktober-image128172297
Dear Hans
I'm on your side on this one. Most tourists don't realize how important isaa.n is
Because they have no experience or knowledge about Thailand. Most tourists think and humiliate isaan.
Now that everything is becoming more expensive, the tourists think they can just walk in and wave their few euros
Isaan has more to offer and most of them are certainly not inferior to a Europalaan or the like
First you must be accepted in the village. And you to Easter to them .euro does not count for these people friendship and understanding .
I know Thailand very well and isaan is home for me and 2nd.
My girlfriend is from Ban Dung (Udon Thani region) and yes the Isaan is a beautiful area, and if I read all this I still have a lot to travel in this part of Thailand for the time being
Very good that many people in Isaan have found their final destination!
I hope they can enjoy it for a very long time…
I myself live in Hua Hin, but have already made a few trips to Isaan.
I am always happy when I come back “home”. Immigration is a few miles from the door here. Two private hospitals and a state hospital all within 15 km. Some, smaller, shopping malls, sea and mountains, from street food to luxury restaurants available, nightlife is available if desired. European products and bread available….
But respect everyone's opinion.
Can I honestly ask the question?
How many of you would live in Isaan were it not for the other half's decision (albeit in a feminine way?