Weekends In Nakhon

[Chris78]

I've been living in Nakhon for nearly 2 years now, so obviously there's something that I find appealing about the place. In the short time I've been here I've seen a number of people come and go. I wonder about the things that make people choose this place as well as the things that make them leave.

A common complaint I hear about Nakhon is that there's nothing to occupy oneself with and as a consequence people either stay home and watch movies (which can become dull after a while), or go out drinking and whinge about how terrible all the bars/clubs are. If you're the kind of person who likes staying home all the time and enjoying your creature comforts then the situation does not appear so bleak. However, if you're partial to a spot of socialising, partying or just straight-up drinking...the scene can become depressing.

The responses I'm looking for with regard to this thread are suggestions for entertaining activities within the province. These could be: favourite restaurants, bars, nightclubs etc... New places that have opened recently, closer destinations to travel to on the weekend (perhaps including details on how to get there), bike rides, waterfalls, puppet shows etc... This way, at least I'll be able to point people in the right direction if they're bored with the town or perhaps have just arrived.

Tell me what you reckon. Maybe we can come up with a comprehensive list at least for restaurants and bars etc...perhaps you know someplace that no one else does...

[Loquito]

I'm new on this forum and am amazed at how many foreigners there are in Nakhon these days, well at least the number of people on this forum who live in Nakhon anyway.

Do you guys ever arrange to meet or something like that? (I read about Gisele's murder mystery evening on this forum so I guess you guys do meet)

As to what to do at weekends, we used to go to the beaches of Sichon and Khanom or the waterfalls in Promkiri or Lansaka, sometimes just day trips or sometimes staying overnight.

I don't think Nakhon has ever been known for its nightlife, like ever! So I'm not surprised to hear that some of you grumble about the lack thereof. I went to Venice just over a month or so ago when I was in Nakhon and it was just way way too loud to my taste. I do miss the smoky cosy British pubs sometimes ( hang on, come to think of it, since this past July British pubs are not smoky anymore!)

After Venice we went to ร้านนายหนัง (Raan Nai Nang: Puppet Master restaurant) and I was amazed that they continued to serve alcohol well into the wee hours in the morning! I think it's a good place to go to after Venice if you don't fancy going to Fusion. Just to hang out with friends, some food and a little night cap!

PS: That was my first time back in Nakhon after 7 years away and I was only there for a week. I'm sure I didn't even scratch the surface of what Nakhon has to offer. Or maybe I did? Answers on a postcard please!

[VTR1000]

Just drink faster, put yourself into oblivion and Bob's yer father's brother! No worries.

[ngangu]

People get bored no matter where they live. I actually think the social situation in Nakhon is quite good for living in a foreign country. I had more interesting friends and more activities than I could keep up with while living there. Alas i had to return home to make some money and I miss living there. It's very boring here in the US and cold to boot! My first year in Thailand I lived in a small town in Ratchaburi where there were 2 other Western people in the entire town and NO place to even go have a beer other than Karaoke bars. Next to that Nakhon was Vibrant.

I miss my time a the local fishing park especially. Very peaceful and the fish "Arroy"!

I miss meeting my friends at 99 on the weekends and later going to Morgans or Nang Taloong(sp?)

I miss weekend trips to Khaoplydam in Sichon.

I miss weekends in Trang or Krabi though I don't miss the trip in the minivan! I'll buy a car next time.

I miss just cruisin' around the countryside on the motocy taking pics.

And just hanging around Palms' restaurant chatting with whoever shows up?

Hope all you Nakhonies find your peace and perspective! I'll be back!!

[Daren]

I definitely fit into both of these categories of people: 1) those who like to go out drinking and dancing; and, 2) those who whinge about the nightlife in NST.

I suppose my own problem here is two fold. One reason I came to Thailand in the first place was my wander-lust. And, perhaps after living in NST for well over two years, the fascination of being in a new place has worn off. If that is really the case, it wouldn't matter where I was I would end up getting a bit bored and restless. The other major issue involved is that there simply aren't any good nightclubs here.

[seonai]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakhon_Si_Thammarat

and this one might stimulate you into writing down your travels there...

http://www.extensions.in.th/rides/khanom/khanom.html

[seonai]

Try these too...

http://www.trekthailand.net/programs/khaoluang.html

http://thailand.tourism-asia.net/nakhon-sri-thammarat.html

this one you have to scoll down for the info

http://www.doctorsan.com/recommended/?rc=m...n+sri+thammarat

http://www.thailandbirdwatching.com/khao_luang.htm

[thaihedgehog]

What about getting a saturday and sunday job?? Not all day, maybe a few hours in the afternoon?? surely this will kill some of the boredness and will make your nights out or holidays more enjoyable with the extra cash in the bank

[Daren]

What about getting a saturday and sunday job?? Not all day, maybe a few hours in the afternoon?? surely this will kill some of the boredness and will make your nights out or holidays more enjoyable with the extra cash in the bank

Hmmm.... Don't get me wrong, I'm always looking for ways to lose the little free time I already have, but wouldn't getting a Sat & Sun job fairly well exclude nights out and most holiday trips away from NST?

[thaihedgehog]

What about getting a saturday and sunday job?? Not all day, maybe a few hours in the afternoon?? surely this will kill some of the boredness and will make your nights out or holidays more enjoyable with the extra cash in the bank

Hmmm.... Don't get me wrong, I'm always looking for ways to lose the little free time I already have, but wouldn't getting a Sat & Sun job fairly well exclude nights out and most holiday trips away from NST?

That all depends on where you work ' Daren ' what are your working hours like?? are you tied to the school for the whole day?? can you leave when you're finished your teaching hours for the day??

[Chris78]

Wow...there's some good replies there. Most of the places I would have thought of have been mentioned. Evening adventures at: Rock, Morgan, Venice, Fusion, Nang Talung... Anyone else seen Hee Haa bar accross the road from Suwali and Je resturant...seems to be a small, cheap bar...perhaps worth checking out.

Daytime weekend fun at: Khanom, Samui, Pangan, Trang, Koh Lanta etc... perhaps it's not so bad after all. I dare say Nakhon has more going for it in terms of day/weekend activities as opposed to the nightlife.

I like Lanta. It has the quiet relaxed beaches along with the party scene but not nearly as crazy and as Pangan. And you can ride your bike/ drive your car from Nakhon and make some stops along the way...

[Daren]

It would be fun to make a map of Nakhon and mark our fav's on it. Any one got good digital map of NST?

Any way, some of my favorite places to eat and drink are:

Bar 60 - Good ol' Bar Hok Sip! Bigger and better than ever.... 'cept for the W.C.'s. Yikes!!!

Palm's Restaurant - In Moo Ban Sang tawan Lagoona (sp?) Yummy Farang and Thai food for very reasonable prices.

Chao Rua - One of the nicest restaurants in town, directions aren't very simple.

Krua Talay - Close to Kukwang Market and Nakhon Garden Inn, EXCELLENT seafood.

Notting Light - Behind Robinson Ocean, nice atmosphere and owner.

Je Coffee - Good food and coffee (of course), near Lucky Dept. Store and the train station

Muang Thong - Tasty Dim Sum on the computer street, marked by a huge blue billboard on Tesco Rd.

Steak & More - Near the National Museum, decent western food and nice atmosphere.

Morgan - Good food, nice place to enjoy a drink while listening to the house band cover Thai country and rock songs.

As previously mentioned, there are no "good" nightclubs in town..... this is not up for discussion.

Last Saturday I went up to Khanom with a few friends and had a great time! It really is a beautiful beach which really isn't that far from NST. On the way back I checked the distance to Khao Plai Dam, turns out it's only about 35km between the two (and only 100km to NST)!! But, in my opinion Khanom is a much nicer, cleaner beach with a lot more to offer.

On Saturday evening the friendly folks at One More Beer served up a super-fine Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. It was fantastic! Though, on any other day of the week OMB offer tasty western and Thai breakfasts, luches and dinners - but they don't come cheap. Another option for western eats in Khanom is the clean and stylish Khula Bhula. This newly established cafe-style restaurant is owned and run by an amicable Irishman and his family. They boast such rarities as nachos, ruben sandwiches (perhaps the only one in LoS!?!?), homemade breads and desserts and lovely coffee. Check their website for more info: Khula Bhula.

Edited November 19, 2007 by Daren

[VTR1000]

Jeez, let's all write about Nakhon everyday and get loads more farang coming here .... and if we're really lucky Nakhon will become completely unrecognizable .... but we'll still like it because it will soon turn into another Phuket or Samui and then we'll all leave because we only ever came for the obligatory 2/3 years never to return

Ssssssshhh!

That's the morning rant over for today.

[South]

Well said VTR.

[Daren]

it will soon turn into another Phuket or Samui

HAHAHAHAHA.... That'll be the day that I sprout wings and fly!

Good one VTR!

[snowflake]

I usually find myself a nice large wooden table on Saturdays, then I slam my head into it several times... I pass out quite quickly I might add... (wooden table??? yes a TABLE)...

When my girlfriend asks me why I just say the same thing as I answer my mum when she asked me why I went to NST, I'm just fookin stupid...

I have spent more time here than most other people here now... NST was boring, is boring, and will be boring for the foreseeable(is that a word) future. Yes more people will come here, but they sure as 007 will leave soon...

Please do not sugar coat this town, its like buying a bangkok whore and find out that it's not a she, it's a he... FALSE ADVERTISING,

Wonderbra or the new DDbra are like that...

LOOK AT THIS THEY SCREAM, then take it off and it's tea time...

Sorry, just bored and waiting for my class...

[Chris78]

"Please do not sugar coat this town, its like buying a bangkok whore and find out that it's not a she, it's a he... "

A lovely quote, I must say. However, I don't think anyone's trying to sugar coat anything. We all know there are more entertaining places one could be in the world. The more you dwell on this, though, the more depressing things become. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to highlight the parts of Nakhon that we enjoy. If there's nothing at all worth highlighting then perhaps it is, indeed, time to move on to greener pastures.

[thaihedgehog]

It seems clear that Snowflake has licked the suger coating off Nakhon and is off to a sweeter place

[snowflake]

CANDYBARS I WANT CANDYBARS

[Daylene]

People get bored no matter where they live. I actually think the social situation in Nakhon is quite good for living in a foreign country.

Tis true. It's my third year here in Nakhon and I do sometimes get bored living here. Thanks to my dear school's "long holidays and whatever Buddhist holidays" I get a chance to travel to the islands nearby to relax...

Last Saturday my boyfriend and I decided to take our new bikes for a bit of a longer ride than just going to school and back... We stopped at Thasala and had a banana split and some refreshing shakes, then continued riding up til we reached Kao Plai Dam...We certainly had a great time! It was indeed a fantastic day for a long ride -- not too hot and not raining either. This made me realize that wherever you are, if you think of better ways on spending your weekends rather than just whinging and staying at home, blaming the whole world for all your misfortunes, you will be less bored.. And most importantly, it's the company you keep as well which is the most important thing. Try to avoid hanging around with people with a negative attitude coz you'll end up like them! Chaiyo!

[Azul_Blanco]

Khanom is a great place to get away for a while (or live). The main beach is a soft white 10k stretch of sand. The water is very clear for a mainland beach.

I love southern Thai cooking so no need to mention specific restaurants as there are great ones everywhere.

For a break from Thai food, I found Khula Bhula a great option in Khanom. It's on the main beach road in Khanom toward the south side of Nadan beach. As mentioned above, the Irish owner is very nice guy and good for a chat. I visited Khula Bhula after seeing Daren's post. I'm a big fan of ruben sandwhiches and was well taken care of there. I took my uncle with me who is a strict vegetarian and he had no problem finding plenty of things to sample.

[Daren]

Glad to hear you also enjoyed Khula Bhula, Azul! I thought their rubens were superb, esp. considering where we are!!

[bessy]

I'll check that new Khula Bhula restaurant/bar the next time I pass by Khanom on the way to Samui. WHere is it located? I know One More Beer and Nai Plao Resort....

[Daren]

Khula Bhula is a few km before the hill leading to Nai Plao. It's a bright yellow building, hard to miss. Check their site, link in my original post.