Hello from Chiang Mai. I will be in Surin province in early Feb for work and thought that I'd get a few tips from those living in Isaan. First, I just found farang connections and think that this Martin guy does a great service for people. It appears as if his pub is the local hang-out so we'll have to make a stop one of the nights were are there.

I have looked at the train and bus routes but I would like to know from those living there - what is the most convenient way to get to Surin? I need to be ready to work at 8:30 in the morning so I am not so keen at arriving at 4:00am nor am I eager to spend a full day on a bus. What is the quickest route to Bangkok for you? (or Chiang Mai if you know). Is there any air travel that is relatively affordable and nearby? Farang connections mentions buriram. Is it relatively easy to travel between the two provinces? Is so, how ?

Secondly, our trip is primarily to visit an organization called SED. They are involved in micro-credit programs in Surin and apparently have a large number of clients. I'm curous to know if any of you living in Surin have come across their work or know anything about them (good or bad).

Thanks and looking forward to going.

Hello from Chiang Mai. I will be in Surin province in early Feb for work and thought that I'd get a few tips from those living in Isaan. First, I just found farang connections and think that this Martin guy does a great service for people. It appears as if his pub is the local hang-out so we'll have to make a stop one of the nights were are there.

I have looked at the train and bus routes but I would like to know from those living there - what is the most convenient way to get to Surin? I need to be ready to work at 8:30 in the morning so I am not so keen at arriving at 4:00am nor am I eager to spend a full day on a bus. What is the quickest route to Bangkok for you? (or Chiang Mai if you know). Is there any air travel that is relatively affordable and nearby? Farang connections mentions buriram. Is it relatively easy to travel between the two provinces? Is so, how ?

Secondly, our trip is primarily to visit an organization called SED. They are involved in micro-credit programs in Surin and apparently have a large number of clients. I'm curous to know if any of you living in Surin have come across their work or know anything about them (good or bad).

Thanks and looking forward to going.

PB air fly into Burirum three times a week. http://www.pbair.com for more details. Beware though, the price is not as advertised. It is 2,300 single. The airport is at Satuk, 65 km's from Surin and 30 from Burirum. We will pick up for 1,200. Again see web-site.

Surin city is only 9kms from the Burirum border, so travel between the two is easy, in fact Burirum Town is only 50 km's from Surin.

Never heard of SED.

What is the quickest route to Bangkok for you? (or Chiang Mai if you know).

I too am interested on best and safest way to get to Surin from ChangMai.

I will be in CM March and would love to get to Surin again to savour the Vegemite sandwiches that Martin has.

What is the quickest route to Bangkok for you? (or Chiang Mai if you know).

I too am interested on best and safest way to get to Surin from ChangMai.

I will be in CM March and would love to get to Surin again to savour the Vegemite sandwiches that Martin has.

Stop bullshitting Colin.......everyone in the Northern hemiphere knows you can't savour Vegemite.

Direct bus from Suirin-Changmai. Nakonchai Air. Takes 14-16hours.

Hello from Chiang Mai. I will be in Surin province in early Feb for work and thought that I'd get a few tips from those living in Isaan. First, I just found farang connections and think that this Martin guy does a great service for people. It appears as if his pub is the local hang-out so we'll have to make a stop one of the nights were are there.

I have looked at the train and bus routes but I would like to know from those living there - what is the most convenient way to get to Surin? I need to be ready to work at 8:30 in the morning so I am not so keen at arriving at 4:00am nor am I eager to spend a full day on a bus. What is the quickest route to Bangkok for you? (or Chiang Mai if you know). Is there any air travel that is relatively affordable and nearby? Farang connections mentions buriram. Is it relatively easy to travel between the two provinces? Is so, how ?

Secondly, our trip is primarily to visit an organization called SED. They are involved in micro-credit programs in Surin and apparently have a large number of clients. I'm curous to know if any of you living in Surin have come across their work or know anything about them (good or bad).

Thanks and looking forward to going.

Goolging works again!!  Do a search for:  sed surin

http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand....le.asp?ett=1562

GENERAL INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION AND LEGAL DATA

Name of MFI Small Enterprise Development (SED) Company, Ltd.

Region East Asia and the Pacific

Established in (year) 1988

Current legal status Non-Bank Financial Institution

Regulated -

Institution's Mission -

Background and Main Challenges -

Products SED offers village banking loans with the following terms: 6 months, 15% per annum, 3% service fee, monthly interest payment, balloon payment of principal, no collateral, mutual guarantee by group members. Requirements: must be a resident of the village for a minimum of two years, be over 18 years of age and have a business.

Loans

Percentage of operations comprised by microfinance 91-100%

Other services provided -

Main Funding Sources Loans

Largest funder CRS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Address : 21/50 Lak Muang Road

Muang

Surin

32000

Thailand

Phone 66 44 531687

Fax 66 44 516064

Email [email protected]

Website address -

NETWORK(S)

Primary Network CRS (Catholic Relief Services)

Secondary Network(s) -

RATER(S)/EXTERNAL EVALUATOR(S)

Primary Rater/External Evaluator -

Secondary Rater(s)/External Evaluator(s) -

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM/SERVICE PROVIDER(S)

Primary Development Program/Service Provider -

Secondary Development Program/Service Provider(s) -

LIST OF MIX MARKET FUNDS INVESTING IN THIS MFI

Fund(s) -

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Looking for -

Other -

CONTACT PERSONS

Contact Name Function Direct Phone Direct E-mail Additional

Information

Aroon Tiabthong Manager 66 44 531687 [email protected]

REFERENCES

Name Company Function Country

Ms. Elizabeth Abrera CRS Board Member Thailand

GENERAL DOCUMENTS

no document available

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

What is the quickest route to Bangkok for you? (or Chiang Mai if you know).

I too am interested on best and safest way to get to Surin from ChangMai.

I will be in CM March and would love to get to Surin again to savour the Vegemite sandwiches that Martin has.

Stop bullshitting Colin.......everyone in the Northern hemiphere knows you can't savour Vegemite.

Direct bus from Suirin-Changmai. Nakonchai Air. Takes 14-16hours.

14-16 hours in a bus?!!!

Best I go back to BKK then PB Air to Surin.

or buy a helecopter.

Savour Meaning:

Taste appreciatively

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

savor; savour

Context example:

savor the soup

Hypernyms (to "savour" is one way to...):

taste (perceive by the sense of taste)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

The chefs savour the vegetables

Taste appreciatively

Takes Vegemite out the equation then

I have looked at the train and bus routes but I would like to know from those living there - what is the most convenient way to get to Surin? I need to be ready to work at 8:30 in the morning so I am not so keen at arriving at 4:00am nor am I eager to spend a full day on a bus.

From a personal point of view I would only travel between Surin and Bangkok on the overnight sleeper (around Bht 1,000 one way - first class) unless there was a need to have the truck with us. Yes, the arrival time in Surin of around 4 am is a little early but you never know, F*t G*t may open early for you to have breakfast.

Travelling from Chiang Mai is a different kettle of fish.

Thanks for the info. I look forward to stopping in at Farang connection in a couple of weeks.