Nong Khai – Adventure begins at the Mekong River (video)
After arriving in the northern city of Udon Thani, just an hour's flight from Bangkok, you can head north towards Nong Khai. This city is located on the mighty Mekong River, which also crosses China, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Thai mythological snakes: Nagas
You almost always see them at Thai temples and spiritual places: Naga. The word Naga is used in Sanskrit and Pali to denote a deity in the form of the great serpent (or dragon), usually the King Cobra.
Mukdahan, pearl on the Mekong river
Mukdahan is a province in the northeast of Thailand, the area called the Isan. It borders a number of other Thai provinces, while it is separated from neighboring Laos to the east by the Mekong River. The capital of the same name is also located on the river.
We're going to Ubon Ratchathani!
If you are looking for something other than white sand beaches, busy city life or jungle trekking in Thailand, then a trip to the city and province of Ubon Ratchathani is a good choice. The province is the easternmost province of Thailand, bordering Cambodia to the south and bounded by the Mekong River to the east.
As a tourist through the Isan
Less than 10 percent of foreign tourists who come to Thailand have a visit to the northeast, the Isan, on their schedule. That's a pity, because this largest region of the kingdom has a lot to offer.
Nakhon Phanom province in the Mekong river valley consists largely of plains. Adjacent provinces are Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, and Bueng. The main river in the northern part is the Songkhram River with the smaller Oun River.
The Mekong increasingly threatened by boundless ambition
Earlier on Thailand blog I pointed out the exceptional importance of the Mekong, one of the most famous and notorious rivers in Asia. However, it is not just a river, but a waterway loaded with myths and history.
Swimming in the Mekong River
Swimming in a canal or river was the most normal thing in the world in my younger years. We didn't always have the money to pay the entrance to an official swimming pool, so we often dived into one of the two channels near my hometown.
Isaan tour (continued)
After breakfast, we left early for a visit to Ban Phu. In this historic park Phu Phrabat we saw jagged rock formations formed by an early route of the Mekong River. There are many temples in the area, some of which are still in use. One of these temples has a gigantic boulder as a roof.
Dams in the Mekong River: Fishermen desperate
The NOS came up with a story about the Mekong river this week. A Thai fisherman tells his story and tells that in the past he easily caught five kilos of fish a day. This has not been the case for the last 4 years, he barely catches a kilo a day. Barely enough to feed his own family.
Reader question: Visiting the Mekong River
We have already seen a lot in Thailand, but now we would like to see and sail the Mekong River. Given the length of this river, we have no idea where to go. Who has a tip?
Thai strawberries have been in a bad smell for years. Too hard and too little flavor, was always the verdict. However, what is grown near Phetchabun today can withstand the test of criticism with flying colors, as it turned out during a tour of 14 Dutch people.
The Isan, the forgotten part of Thailand (1)
The Isan forms the largest part of Thailand and also has the most inhabitants. And yet this gigantic plateau is the neglected child of the country, only a few hours' drive from Bangkok. Most tourists ignore this area (or right, if they travel to Chiang Mai).
The Mekong River, a lifeline in Asia
The Mekong River is one of the 7 major rivers in Asia with an estimated length of 4909 kilometers. The source of the river is on the Tibetan Plateau and the river passes successively through the countries of China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The Netherlands supports the Mekong River strategic plan
The Mekong River Commission received US$2.170.000 from the Kingdom of the Netherlands in support of its 2016-2020 MRC Strategic Plan, which includes Flood Management in the Mekong River Basin.
Ride Thailand – A Bridge across Time (video)
This video will make your heart beat faster as a motorcyclist, but also as a non-motorcyclist. In this episode GT driver David Unkovich goes to the border town of Chiang Khong on the Mekong River.
Short news from Thailand
China has deployed 13 policemen to protect Chinese freighters on the Mekong. The first ten Chinese ships have sailed to Thailand. Patrol boats manned by agents from China, Laos, Burma and Thailand provide protection. The reason is the hijacking of two Chinese cargo ships and the murder of XNUMX crew members at the beginning of October.