Thailand

steve w · #1 23-12-2007, 18:20

can any of you old issan hands recommend where to visit on my next trip for a few days.
i know south thailand really well and am familiar with the very north but never been over to the east.so need advice on which town in your opinion would be the best for a short overview of the region.

thanks in advance

dogblower · #2 23-12-2007, 19:39

Try Khon Khaen. Pretty central for Kalasin, Chaiyapum, Udon Thani and Nong Khai. Big university there and quite a few falang around. I rented a motorbike and spent a week exploring up there a few years back.

Dodger · #3 23-12-2007, 20:40

Yeah agree with DB here Steve and would also suggest Khon Kaen, good and cheap airfares from BKK and good nightlife and still a lot of old thailand around.

Slow · #4 23-12-2007, 23:21

I had some fun excursions in those same places, but first found a sexy little guide to show me around. She will know were the best places to eat and drink are as well as the local must see spots. Back when I went I found that very few spoke English so having my own interpretor along really helped.

Nanook · #5 24-12-2007, 20:13

Yes Steve, I also agree with Dogblower. I don't know Khon Kaen, but Udon Thani and Nong Khai are nie for a visit.

I always fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani with NokAir and pay about 1000 Baht one way.

Success.

AJAXIED · #6 29-12-2007, 13:37

Korat is not a bad place to visit as well. There are a number of good nightlife venues and plenty of places to go shopping (The Mall, Big C etc)

lunglek · #7 29-12-2007, 14:20

For more info on korat take a look at KoratFarang.com - Index
and Udon Thani, Thailand Forum - - Index for Udon Thani

fun2have · #8 29-12-2007, 18:53

some nice spots of course and countless temples.

ubon rat dam is nice for a day trip from udon or an afternoon trip from khon kaen.
kk to udon about 120 kms, udon to nongkhai about 40 minutes.
big temple at nakon phanom worth a trip but its a long drive so its an overnighter.
then drift gently down the highway to mukdahan, good hotels on the river.

loei is very nice for a visit, a lot cooler and some good scenery, maybe a little bit second class compared to chiang mai.

head out to ban dung a day trip from udon, can see the temple the naga comes from.

personally i would purchase a map in english of the region before setting off, if your local tour guide is as good at reading maps as mine is, a map in english will be a bonus.

Critical Mass · #9 09-01-2008, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve w

can any of you old issan hands recommend where to visit on my next trip for a few days.
i know south thailand really well and am familiar with the very north but never been over to the east.so need advice on which town in your opinion would be the best for a short overview of the region.

thanks in advance

steve.

These maps are a good resource and will give you an idea of where some of these places are.

Also you can use them as road maps if you hire a car.

Landkarten und Stadtpläne

soicowboy · #10 21-01-2008, 09:15

Try to find the unseen thailand maps ,they will point out a few sites worth going to see . In the south of Issan Phra Virhan on Cambo border is a nice vist and will mix with some Cambodians

khon kaen boy · #11 21-01-2008, 13:54

Steve W,
when are you planning to go there ? or have you been already ?
I am due back in Khon Kaen 15/02/08 and would be pleased to show you around...play golf ???
KK boy

Dodger · #12 21-01-2008, 16:22

KKboy, you've either never met Steve or the pubs open very early where you live!!!!

steve w · #13 21-01-2008, 20:46

dodgy twonk!

kkb ,solly not till november,foward planning and research and all that.
golf?what size table do you play on and can i be wicket keeper,thanks.

khon kaen boy · #14 23-01-2008, 13:02

yeah Dodger bars do open early and especially at my house the beer fridge is open 24 hours

geespot · #15 24-01-2008, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger

Yeah agree with DB here Steve and would also suggest Khon Kaen, good and cheap airfares from BKK and good nightlife and still a lot of old thailand around.

Been alot? never realized uv been up there, next time give me a shout take you out into the sticks

I wouldnt say old Thailand - it is the real Thailand

G

geespot · #16 24-01-2008, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by khon kaen boy

yeah Dodger bars do open early and especially at my house the beer fridge is open 24 hours

Im always about m8, pm me if you fancy golf or a bev

G

Dodger · #17 24-01-2008, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by geespot

Been alot? never realized uv been up there, next time give me a shout take you out into the sticks

I wouldnt say old Thailand - it is the real Thailand

G

Ex gf Graeme, her village if I remember right was muang phon? about 45 minutes out of KK, and near to Phon.

Don't go there now as Gee comes from Ubon Ratchatani, so if anywhere Issan, go there now.

I liked KK, of all the places I have visited outside of the usuals of BKK, Patts & Hkt. Mainly because it had a nightlife scene and was a decent size town, and gave me a glimpse of real Thailand, the first time I went there, which at the time was only my second time out of the big 3. Comparing it to Ubon and other places I have been, they had nowhere near the modern nightlife, nor as organised, KK having a lot all in one area.

khon kaen boy · #18 24-01-2008, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by geespot

Im always about m8, pm me if you fancy golf or a bev

G

I'm back on the 15th Feb for a month so will PM you nearer the time

wylos · #19 25-01-2008, 12:57

after staying with G,i had a night in KK city.....boy, that place changes all the time.
was devistated to see Erics bar oppposite sofitel was closed,always a nice place to watch the day go by sipping away,didnt have any notices,not sure if he has packed up shop??????
but on the nightlife front,always places closing,places being built,new names of establishments.
did notice a couple of farang bars to the side of sofitel,plus some other thai orintated places set back to the left ,if u looking at sofitel front.
I see Rad is still open.....that is the way forward if its still up to scratch,3 seperate bars,all playing different styles of music one with coyotee,need i say more.

i do enjoy KK city maself.generally good nightlife,few select clubs with dancers and deffo some of the best food ive ate in thailand (around the big lake) and in isaan as a whole.

eric-the-viking · #20 26-01-2008, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by khon kaen boy

yeah Dodger bars do open early and especially at my house the beer fridge is open 24 hours

Thats it then next time im back to visit the outlaws (whopps i ment the mother in law)
im Calling G and then raid your beer fridge

while wifey does her temple thing or what ever. never mind about running out i know a local mini mart owner who can do you a good deal on a few cases of leo etc

steve w · #21 26-01-2008, 18:28

leo!

khon kaen boy · #22 27-01-2008, 10:31

No worries, open house all the time...Leo beer is ok it's just Chang I can't handle....last night in bar on camp where I am working they had ran out of normal beer and all they had was Baltica 9 which is 8%....didn't bother

geespot · #23 27-01-2008, 12:20

Chang beer is truly shocking, and gives u really bad hangovers. Now they have Asha which is just as bad. If you drink this stuff you can consider yourself a cheap charlie or just out to get drunk no matter what the taste, there can be no other reason

The affordable beer of choice for locals in LEO, a decent enought beer considering the price

Of course when in Isaan do as they do, so its a glass of ice with the beer in it - refreshing on a hot day, which i suppose is every day

G

geespot · #24 27-01-2008, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric-the-viking

Thats it then next time im back to visit the outlaws (whopps i ment the mother in law)
im Calling G and then raid your beer fridge

while wifey does her temple thing or what ever. never mind about running out i know a local mini mart owner who can do you a good deal on a few cases of leo etc

Hey lad comon ur not allowed out. she wears the trousers i doubt we will be seeing u in kk unless its Big C shopping 555555555

G