Travelling By Car In The North

[dalmatian]

I am doing my first trip to the north with a friend. We will have a Thai female escort with us who comes from just outside of Udon Thani.

Now as much we will stick to the main roads coming up from Pattaya (with a stop in Korat) our escort mentioned that if we wanted to travel around to places like Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon and further afield we may need special car. I am hiring a Honda Jazz which is about the best I can get in Pattaya so I need to know are there areas that we may find ourselves in that would require much more than a wee little Honda Jazz. We are not going mad as have only 5-6 days in the north but would obviously like to see some sights and sounds of the north so can anybody tell me if our car will get us to most destinations.

Have looked at the pinned subjects for maps and hotels so pretty satisfied there but can't see too much about state of roads, advice would be grateful.

[happylarry]

The roads in Isaan are some of the best I have seen in the world, especially the road from Udonthani to Nong Khai. Beautiful dual carriageway all the way and only takes about 25 minutes. Honda Jazz will be fine....unless you intend to go into some of the outlying villages which still have some dirt roads. Having said that if you are sightseeing as you go then it is worth considering a four door pick-up instead as they are just as comfortable as the Jazz but sitting so much higher from the road allows you to see over hedges etc.

HL

[dalmatian]

The roads in Isaan are some of the best I have seen in the world, especially the road from Udonthani to Nong Khai. Beautiful dual carriageway all the way and only takes about 25 minutes. Honda Jazz will be fine....unless you intend to go into some of the outlying villages which still have some dirt roads. Having said that if you are sightseeing as you go then it is worth considering a four door pick-up instead as they are just as comfortable as the Jazz but sitting so much higher from the road allows you to see over hedges etc.

HL

Thanks for reply, will check a little bit closer as to where we are likely to go but the 4 door pick-up sounds like a good move. Cheers

[Macclad]

Yep,the Honda Jazz will be fine for driving around cities like Korat,Khon Kaen,Udon Thani,Nong Khai,Sakhon Nakhon etc.

The main roads are all reasonably good quality,its only if you try to drive to some of the villages on potholed dirt tracks you might have a problem.

If you go to Nong Khai a really scenic drive is along the Mekhong River Valley through places like Sangkhom and Chiang Khan.You can then head south to Loei which has decent scenery.

Stay at the 4* Amari Loei Palace Hotel for 1000 baht per night promotion,including breakfast,then head towards Udon Thani via Nong Bua Lamphu visiting Phu Kradung National Park and Erawan Cave on the way to Udon.

[dalmatian]

If you go to Nong Khai a really scenic drive is along the Mekhong River Valley through places like Sangkhom and Chiang Khan.You can then head south to Loei which has decent scenery.

Stay at the 4* Amari Loei Palace Hotel for 1000 baht per night promotion,including breakfast,then head towards Udon Thani via Nong Bua Lamphu visiting Phu Kradung National Park and Erawan Cave on the way to Udon.

Thanks Macclad for the info. That route is easily travelled by a Honda Jazz or is that where I would need 4 door pick-up?

Did see the info on Phu Kradung and Erawan, looks really beautiful.

[Gary A]

Some of the roads with a four number name can turn to dirt and can get a little rough. Stick to the three number or less roads and you will have no problems. The roads are quite good barring some potholes here and there.

[jerrylee]

I am doing my first trip to the north with a friend. We will have a Thai female escort with us who comes from just outside of Udon Thani.

Now as much we will stick to the main roads coming up from Pattaya (with a stop in Korat) our escort mentioned that if we wanted to travel around to places like Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon and further afield we may need special car. I am hiring a Honda Jazz which is about the best I can get in Pattaya so I need to know are there areas that we may find ourselves in that would require much more than a wee little Honda Jazz. We are not going mad as have only 5-6 days in the north but would obviously like to see some sights and sounds of the north so can anybody tell me if our car will get us to most destinations.

Have looked at the pinned subjects for maps and hotels so pretty satisfied there but can't see too much about state of roads, advice would be grateful.

Honda jazz will take half the juice a pickup will guzzle, and I take it up mountain roads to Loei and Phu Prabat etc.

Nongkhai towards east to Sakon is pretty flat and boring, Nongkhai towards west you're slowly going uphill towards Loei,

the river front road is tree lined and beautifully paved, the locals can lead you to their village easy, but they themselves have yet to learn about their own region let alone the interesting places a farang would find interesting

In Khorat a detour can be to visit the Prasat Hin Phimai - the cambodian stone sanctuary - like angkor wat

In Khon Kaen a detour can be to visit the huge reservior

Udon Thani can forget about Ban Chiang - theres dino of Phu Foilom, Phu Prabat and few more

Not much farang eateries along the road, Khon Kaen city is the best to stop off, otherwise prepare packed foods,

the issan grilled chickens are better in Bkk and pattaya ..

theres big choice of hotels in KK and Udon -

[chuckd]

My place is about 10 kilometers from Erawan Cave.

I drive all over up here with two wheel drive. A Honda Jazz will be fine, although a tad bit small from a comfort standpoint.

[Macclad]

If you go to Nong Khai a really scenic drive is along the Mekhong River Valley through places like Sangkhom and Chiang Khan.You can then head south to Loei which has decent scenery.

Stay at the 4* Amari Loei Palace Hotel for 1000 baht per night promotion,including breakfast,then head towards Udon Thani via Nong Bua Lamphu visiting Phu Kradung National Park and Erawan Cave on the way to Udon.

Thanks Macclad for the info. That route is easily travelled by a Honda Jazz or is that where I would need 4 door pick-up?

No worries with a Honda Jazz for this journey,the roads are fine.The Erawan cave is about 2km off the main road and there are a few potholes but if you drive carefully it wont be a problem.

[feffejonsson]

I´ve been all over the place and in my opinion the roads are better in the north and north east than in central or the south of the country. However if you are in the north west (north of Chiang Mai) check the map carefully if you wan´t to drive on the smaller roads (lot´s more to see). Last time I was driving from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai I took a small road that ended up taking us over some really steep mountains who had been subjected to landslides. At some points the road was so narrow that it was impossible for two cars to meet. The thought of having to reverse under theese conditions still gives me the creeps. It was a nice scenery though. With a lot of churches in the mountains and very friendly people.

[dalmatian]

Thanks for the the tips on roads, side trips etc. Just bought the Michelin Thailand Map which should help. Will let you guys know whether I survived when I get back!

[xen]

I hired a Honda Jazz and drove from BKK to Siskaret about 2 months ago . It was great but my gf,s uncle told me about a short cut back to a village that even a in a 4-wheel drive i would have second thought with. But the little Honda jazz made it thro . It was only enoumous and deep potholes ful of water from recent rain. The shortcut took longer than the "long "way .

The only thing is with a Honda Jazz it will be cramped with 5 passengers for such a long trip .

Enjoy yourself , it is a good area to look at .

[ericthai]

Hey pal, you will be ok with a Jazz, but I do advise a 4 door pickup. I had a Jazz before and it's fine as long as you stay on main roads. I travel between Bangkok and Sisaket 2-3 times a month. I go to No khai also at least once a month. If perfer the pickup. If you are going to some out of the way places then pick up is best. Watch out for the cops, they love farangs driving. They will be looking for hand outs. have your girl act asleep when stopped and you dont understand Thai. Sometimes this works. Hold out as long as you can not to pay. I have been stopped and they just say they need money for coffee, others will make up things.

Watch out for the drivers in the north, they will drive on the wrong side of the road, pull out in front of you and change lanes without looking.. so you need to watch them.

Have fun on your trip and be careful,

[frankthetank]

Hi, a good site to check out is:

www.udonmap.com

it has virtually all the touristy info you will need.

Enjoy!!

[dalmatian]

Thanks all for the info guys although the comments below worry me, perhaps we are just talking a couple of 100 baht hopefully:

Watch out for the cops, they love farangs driving. They will be looking for hand outs. have your girl act asleep when stopped and you dont understand Thai. Sometimes this works. Hold out as long as you can not to pay. I have been stopped and they just say they need money for coffee, others will make up things.

Does this happen when the girl is driving as well or just when us 'poor farangs' are at the wheel?

[chuckd]

It happens to everybody.

I drive from up-country to Pattaya monthly and usually get stopped at least once. Since I normally break the speed limit of 95 kilometers per hour, I just pay up and get on my way.

What I do is have two or three 100 baht bills available. When/if I get pulled over at anything other than a driver's license check, I just have one of the 100 baht bills in my right hand resting on the arm rest. I normally have about half of the bill showing above my fist so it is clearly visible.

When the nice policeman walks up to the window he normally smiles and looks inside. When he sees the bill he gets it out of my hand and thanks me.

I am usually on my way within 20-30 seconds and never find out why they stopped me. Thais do this as well.

[Cuban]

> Does this happen when the girl is driving as well or just when us 'poor farangs' are at the wheel?

Depends on how she she has been primed by you to react when stopped, the conversation could go along the lines of talking up the rate of fine as you are strange farang etc. IME as long as you are not driving too fast (most roads you will be on up country are limited to 90 KPH) and have a suitable licence after a police stop you are normally waved on with no request for a 'donation'.

Pick-ups are nice, the extra room inside and visability while driving is good - but in your situation you probably don't 'need' it. The main roads are fine, if it rains slow down (really) you will see plenty of accidents on your trip and speed is a factor. The Honda Jazz with an auto gear box is not ideal for steep mountainous roads, OK for Issan but I would avoid driving one around Chaing Mai etc. Even visiting most villages you do not need a 4x4, most have concrete roads now even if a bit bumpy. Some places will be limited to compacted dirt for a 'road' - if it rains consider it inpassable rather than play tow the hire-car out of the mud.

Also - if you have a pick-up there will be the expectation that you can fill the load space up with goodies bought at Big-C or take the entire extended family out for a meal. Easier and cheaper to get a Laos Buffet take-way and bring it home with you.

Maps and road signs are easy, unless you need to stop in Korat; you can do Pattaya to Udon in a long day's drive - start early. 5-6 days is not long and it's a pity to waste a night for what is a 4 hour drive to Korat.

Depending on the time and day, I would take highway 7 to BKK, then Hwy 9 North bound toward 'Bang Pa In' this is a town to the North - Bang Na is an area South of Bangkok, then continue on Hwy 9 to Hwy 1, sign posted toward SaraBuri then Korat, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani. Plenty of gas stations en-route. (Although none that I recall between Hwy 7 and Hwy 1, take a full tank from Pattaya then refuel when you get onto Hwy 1, plenty of fuel there, avoids having to stop in Bangkok.)

Bit slow to load at first but this link might be helpful unless you are already en-route. Thai Road Map.

[phibunmike]

I am doing my first trip to the north with a friend. We will have a Thai female escort with us who comes from just outside of Udon Thani.

Now as much we will stick to the main roads coming up from Pattaya (with a stop in Korat) our escort mentioned that if we wanted to travel around to places like Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon and further afield we may need special car. I am hiring a Honda Jazz which is about the best I can get in Pattaya so I need to know are there areas that we may find ourselves in that would require much more than a wee little Honda Jazz. We are not going mad as have only 5-6 days in the north but would obviously like to see some sights and sounds of the north so can anybody tell me if our car will get us to most destinations.

Have looked at the pinned subjects for maps and hotels so pretty satisfied there but can't see too much about state of roads, advice would be grateful.

I don't mean to sound pedantic, but the area you are describing is the North East, not the North....

Have a great trip,

Mike

[chuckd]

Depending on the time and day, I would take highway 7 to BKK, then Hwy 9 North bound toward 'Bang Pa In' this is a town to the North - Bang Na is an area South of Bangkok, then continue on Hwy 9 to Hwy 1, sign posted toward SaraBuri then Korat, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani. Plenty of gas stations en-route. (Although none that I recall between Hwy 7 and Hwy 1, take a full tank from Pattaya then refuel when you get onto Hwy 1, plenty of fuel there, avoids having to stop in Bangkok.)

Bit slow to load at first but this link might be helpful unless you are already en-route. Thai Road Map.

Not trying to start an argument, but I would offer my perspective on the drive through Bangkok.

I drove through BKK on the Highway 7, 1, 2, route to Korat and found the route to be nearly 80 kilometers longer and at least one to two hours longer in duration. I drove both ways (to and from Pattaya) and found this to be true either way.

I much prefer taking Highway 36 out of Pattaya to Highway 331. Highway 331 eventually turns into Highway 304 before Korat. You then will connect with Highway 2 in Korat directly into Udorn, through Khon Kaen.

This route does take you through the mountains but they have improved the roads and there is only one stretch of some 13 kilometers that is still bad and two lane. There is another two lane stretch in the mountains but the road is newly repaved and is only some 3 kilometers long. Other than these two minor stretches, the highway is four lane divided all the way to Nong Khai from Pattaya.

Just offering my outlook on the drive. I will never go through BKK again.

[Cuban]

I know both routes well, the fastest is via the highways, like any major city the Hwys around BKK are busy during rush hours and in particular Friday nights.

This route does take you through the mountains but they have improved the roads and there is only one stretch of some 13 kilometers that is still bad and two lane. There is another two lane stretch in the mountains but the road is newly repaved and is only some 3 kilometers long. Other than these two minor stretches, the highway is four lane divided all the way to Nong Khai from Pattaya.

Slightly more scenic and with more police speed check points than the Hwys over that streach.

The guy has got a long drive in a short space of holiday - he can admire the countryside around Udon and enjoy the rapidly building Km count along the fastest route to get there.

> Just offering my outlook on the drive. I will never go through BKK again.

Horses for courses.

BTW- Last time I did that journey I took the 304 by choice.

[chuckd]

I know both routes well, the fastest is via the highways, like any major city the Hwys around BKK are busy during rush hours and in particular Friday nights.

This route does take you through the mountains but they have improved the roads and there is only one stretch of some 13 kilometers that is still bad and two lane. There is another two lane stretch in the mountains but the road is newly repaved and is only some 3 kilometers long. Other than these two minor stretches, the highway is four lane divided all the way to Nong Khai from Pattaya.

Slightly more scenic and with more police speed check points than the Hwys over that streach.

The guy has got a long drive in a short space of holiday - he can admire the countryside around Udon and enjoy the rapidly building Km count along the fastest route to get there.

> Just offering my outlook on the drive. I will never go through BKK again.

Horses for courses.

BTW- Last time I did that journey I took the 304 by choice.

Why did you take 304?

[feffejonsson]

I have never paid a single satang to Thailands finest. My wife would never allow it. When I encounter a police check point I make sure that my wife i awake and let her do the talking even though I´m reasonably fluent in thai. It gives me great pleasure to watch how the police man shrinks right before my eyes and then let us be on our way.

Edited August 6, 2009 by feffejonsson

[happylarry]

Well the only way she can be doing that then is if she is telling them that she has a relative in a high position in the force. But if it works for you then good on ya.

My wife always does the talking because I cant speak Thai and she has a good gift of the gab but I still end up having to pay.

HL

[feffejonsson]

I don´t know how she does it. I do know that that she´d rather be caught dead than in anyway ally her self with the upper class or the police force of Thailand. She has a way of dealing with authorities and I´ve never seen anything like it.

Edited August 6, 2009 by feffejonsson

[chuckd]

The first time I was stopped with my wife in the car, I asked her to give me 100 baht as I was stopping.

She didn't and started to argue with the nice policeman. After 2-3 minutes of this jawing going on, I stopped her and told her to give me 100 baht, which she then did.

I smiled, handed the nice policeman 100 baht and drove off.

Since I normally exceed the speed limit, I consider the 100 baht as a cheap traffic fine and go on my way. I normally get stopped at least once per trip. It's called the cost of doing business.

[Dave the Dude]

We keep a bag of sweets close by and before BIB has a chance to speak, give him a handful of sweets.

He loses 'no face' and sends us on our way. Seems to work most of the time.

Dave

[Cuban]

Why did you take 304?

Travelling in convoy and had multiple dogs and children, frequent comfort breaks required - also lower speeds made travel in one of the pick-up easier. Used two-way radios between cars to arrange stops, also useful for speed check spotting by the lead vehicle.

[dalmatian]

Just got back from my trip up to Khon Kaen and Udon. Hired a Vios which was perfect for the roads.

For those who are interested I took route 36 out of Pattaya but instead of taking the express 7 I carried on to the 331 which took me to Phanom Sarakham which then joined the 304. On to Korat joining where the merges into route 2 which I took through to Kon Kaen.

Trip took 6.5 hours with a couple of stops.

Got stopped 2 times and each time had 100 baht in hand. Did not want to carry on mundane conversations so showed corner of note which on both occasions was duly eyed by our friendly policeman. I actually was quite excited as it kind of made my trip more interesting especially when one of them told me my wife was beautiful. Funny thing was my wife was not in the car! Did get stopped a third time but was just a road block and got waved through.

Stayed at Pullman Sofitel Khon Kaen, excellent hotel, beautiful rooms with a great 'underground' restaurant bar including a micro-brewery.

2nd day drove to Udon Thani. Stayed at the Centara Hotel and Convention Centre. Bit jaded but notices pinned up in lifts say they expect to finish renovation of all rooms and guest areas before end of 2009. Did not see much renovation going on but hotel was comfortable. Good breakfast and very comfortable beds. Paid 1300 baht per night including brekky, booked through r24.org.

3rd day took trip to Nong khai with a detour along the 211 as far as Sangkhom. Had a great day along the Mekong river. Enjoyed eating at a riverside restaurant in Nong Khai before going back to Udon for another night. Ate at the Irish Clock which did a superb Steak and Kidney pudding, don't see many of them around Thailand. It was homecooked and I thoroughly recommend it.

4th day was spend going onto Phang Khon on route 22 out of Udon. Stopped at the companions family home before going onto Sakon Nakhon and then onto route 213 through some lovely wooded areas and down to Kalasin before carrying on again to Khon Kaen. Another night spent at the Pullman Sofitel. Watched my companion get up with the band and knock out a local favourite much to the delight of a pretty receptive audience. A few mugs of the white and dark german beers certainly added to the experience.

5th day spend driving back to Pattaya and not getting stopped which helped in getting me back in 6 hours. Overall a great trip, travelled in excess of 1800 kilometers. The roads in Isaan certainly are, for the most, a joy to drive on. It was most noticeable how friendly the locals (including the police) were, certainly not something that I think Pattaya is renowned for. I could certainly see myself staying up in that part of the world. Hope to go back again soon but for now I will have my memories of a lovely part of Thailand.

[chuckd]

Thanks for the trip report. Glad you enjoyed it.