Bangkok To Sisaket - Via Highway 226 Or 24?

[JetsetBkk]

I see on most maps that route 24 looks a more major road than the 226, and yet the 226 goes through bigger towns - N. Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin and then Sisaket.

I actually want to get to Khun Han, about 60 km south of Sisaket, so the 24 is the natural choice, but I was wondering if the 226 is a faster road.

Anyone have recommendations? Thanks.

[llso]

I see on most maps that route 24 looks a more major road than the 226, and yet the 226 goes through bigger towns - N. Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin and then Sisaket.

I actually want to get to Khun Han, about 60 km south of Sisaket, so the 24 is the natural choice, but I was wondering if the 226 is a faster road.

Anyone have recommendations? Thanks.

Definitely stick with 24, There are a lot of Thai style truck stops and places along the way. Road is not that bad but a lot of 6 and 10 wheel trucks especially at night. Prety ambitous of you to want to drive out there. Never been as far as Saket but near at Surin where you turn to the Cambo border. My friends girl is from Khun Han becoming a popular area.

[Farma]

Agreed, stick with 24. I’ve driven it a few times and it’s not too bad. I found it quicker, safer and with way less traffic.

[Gary A]

Thai roads are classed by the amount of numbers for the roads. The major highways are a single digit, next are double digit. Some three digit roads are quite good but many four digit roads are likely to be dirt. In this case, stick to 24.

[JetsetBkk]

Thanks for the replies fellas - much appreciated. I'd assumed that the two digit 24 route would be a better road than the three digit 226, but the fact that the 226 went through bigger towns made me ask the question.

Cheers.

[Krungbin]

I see on most maps that route 24 looks a more major road than the 226, and yet the 226 goes through bigger towns - N. Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin and then Sisaket.

I actually want to get to Khun Han, about 60 km south of Sisaket, so the 24 is the natural choice, but I was wondering if the 226 is a faster road.

Anyone have recommendations? Thanks.

Same recommandation as the others...Stick to 24!

I am going - quite often - to Phlapphia Chai via Prakkhn Chai...this road is OK. But at night, just like everywhere else, extra caution is to be exercised...

[jayenram]

Am I the only one who disagrees?

From Bangkok to Surin (and thereafter Sisaket), I almost always use the 226 the only problem being there is no easy way to by-pass Khorat (Khorat at peak times can be very busy). Other than that the 226 is far less busy than the 24 has always appeared to me to be, particularly in respect of the 6/8 wheelers and trailers. When the upgrading of the 24 to dual carriageway as far as Prassat is complete, I may change my mind.

********* Topic moved to Thailand Travel Forum ***********

[lopburi3]

I have only traveled 24 one time (go and back) - late at night to Surin going and daytime back - but found it to be good with many passing opportunities. 226 from map appears to be much more an old style (curvy) road to population centers where you are likely to meet the late night drinkers.

[JetsetBkk]

Thanks for the later additions to the thread. I've been and come back already, and found the 24 to be pretty good. I was driving a few hours either side of dawn, so maybe I didn't hit much traffic on the way there, but it wasn't much more busy on the way back when I driving during the day time.

I've certainly been on a lot worse roads up country regarding pot holes and traffic. I don't drive fast in my pickup - 80 to 100 kph - and the road was fine at that speed. Some stretches have new tarmac, but even the old bits are in fairly good condition.

There are some massive road works along several parts of the route - widening to dual carriageway as jayenram says - but even the single lane bits were OK, I thought.

This bit of road near Surin was dead smooth, but occasionally the big trucks were a pain:

But even the small pickups can be a hazard:

The road near Khun Han was in excellent condition:

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Thanks for the later additions to the thread. I've been and come back already, and found the 24 to be pretty good. I was driving a few hours either side of dawn, so maybe I didn't hit much traffic on the way there, but it wasn't much more busy on the way back when I driving during the day time.

I've certainly been on a lot worse roads up country regarding pot holes and traffic. I don't drive fast in my pickup - 80 to 100 kph - and the road was fine at that speed. Some stretches have new tarmac, but even the old bits are in fairly good condition.

There are some massive road works along several parts of the route - widening to dual carriageway as jayenram says - but even the single lane bits were OK, I thought.

This bit of road near Surin was dead smooth, but occasionally the big trucks were a pain:

But even the small pickups can be a hazard:

The road near Khun Han was in excellent condition:

Good photo, the "overload" one, that's what I do too, keep my camera handy for snap shots whole on the road.

Attached one I got near Future Park Rangsit last year.  Wonder who the kid on the back is talking to?  And no cops in the area to issue who knows how many tickets, or collect baht 50 bribes for each violation.

Mac