Isaan Road Trip

[manicl]

In October we are planning on hiring a mini van and taking the in-laws on a road trip following the Mekong River from Mukdahan around to Nong Khai mostly on route 212.

Has anyone travelled this way recently and have any comments on the road conditions / accomodation possibilites?

I haven't been able to find much in the way of accomodation between Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai.

cheers

Mark.

[thatguy]

try the lonely planet site, there may be something current.

a link to their "thorntree" section

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa

[SantiSuk]

D*mn - just lost my 5 paragraph post. Here is a shorter version.

Did NK to Nak Pan 18 months ago. Road good and quiet should be no probs averaging 80kph in minivan. I was not touristing and drove it in one go (about 5 hours but fast car). You may find more of interest than I did if you explore roads off the main route - which itself never/rarely touches the Mekong.

Two small towns probably had Thai hotels and if not you could make your end point and go accross to Laos with any spare time - likely to be far more interesting. I don't think guidebooks had anything, but I think there were a couple of waterfalls marked off the road and there were views of pleasant hills/low mountains into Laos and a couple of forested hills on the Thai side where the waterfalls were marked.

Let us know if you find anything of interest!

[tubber]

In October we are planning on hiring a mini van and taking the in-laws on a road trip following the Mekong River from Mukdahan around to Nong Khai mostly on route 212.

Has anyone travelled this way recently and have any comments on the road conditions / accomodation possibilites?

I haven't been able to find much in the way of accomodation between Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai.

cheers

Mark.

Nakhon Phanom to Nong Khai isn't very interesting don't see very much, roads are OK though. Going on from Nong Khai to Chiang Khan is a lot better and well worth seeing, roads are so-so. There is a monastery somewhere on that road built on a cliff that is good to see, can't remember where it is though.

[SantiSuk]

Glad to see that it wasn't just me that thought that stretch boring Tubber

Manici - if it fits it would be far more interesting going south from Mukdahan down to Chong Mek (and accross to Pakse in Laos or inland to Ubon Ratchatani). The road gets far more access to the river, which will be spectacularly full for another few months and you have the option of Pha Thaem National Park which is well worth a half day (or full day if you like a nice walk on the cliffs and paths along the river). Very nice views of the Mekong as it passes through forested gorges (not world class but nice) and prehistoric cliff paintings. There are also good quality acommodation options throughout Ubon province, including a (faintly ridiculously out of place but very comfortable) 4 star spa at the confluence of the Mekong and Rim rivers*.

Ubon is well worth a day of two - a hidden gem with some lesser known but beautiful venerable wats within the city and outside.

*I think it is the Rim confluence but dont have a map in front of me

[SantiSuk]

Further thoughts -

This web-site I just found seems to agree with me about a southwards trip. It also reminded me that you must take your Tai family to Taht Phanom, whichever way you go, if the family is at all Budhist inclined. It is one of the great sacred pilgrimage places in Thailand, though nowhere near as busy as say Doi Suthep in Chang Mai.

http://www.igougo.com/journal-j47766-Thail...eviewID:1342097

Note that it is the Mun river not the Rim that has a confluence with the Mekong

Must go now - have to plan the minivan trip for my Thai extended family to go from Ubon province to Chang Mai next week, which they are all looking forward to with immense anticipation (as they should be - CM is a great place/region). If I had the time I would include Tubber's recommended bit of the Mekong in the itinerary, which I have meant to do for some time.

[keyjor]

In October we are planning on hiring a mini van and taking the in-laws on a road trip following the Mekong River from Mukdahan around to Nong Khai mostly on route 212.

Has anyone travelled this way recently and have any comments on the road conditions / accomodation possibilites?

I haven't been able to find much in the way of accomodation between Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai.

cheers

Mark.

Hey Mark

I went to Nakhon Phanom a number of years ago, nice place, we stayed at a hotel just off the main through road.

Sorry I cannot remember the name but there are a number of hotels available.

In Nong Khai we stayed at a very nice hotel overlooking the river. Again Nong Khai is a very nice town with lots of hotels, many by the river and also in the town centre.

Hope this helps a little.

[manicl]

I think we've finalised the itinerary. Kick off on Khon Kaen with 12 seater mini van full of

my family (2 kids) and the in-laws (ma, pa and the 2 grandchildren they are minding). Head

south to Phimai, Full-screenPhanom Rung, Mueang Tam, east to Surin, Ubon , Full-screenKhong

Chiam (2 coloured rivers), head north to Mukdahan, That Phanom, following the Mekong to

Beung Khan, Nong Khai, Chiang Khan then head south again through Loei back to the folks

place near the eastern edge of Ubonrat lake.

Thanks for everyone's advice.

Cheers

Mark.

[SantiSuk]

Hope it goes well. Am doing the same going the other way as I write - from Ubon to Chiang Mai. I am very impressed by the Toyota commuter minivan (and Thai visa's recommended car hire web-site which got it for me for 1,230 baht a day fully insured). The van is quick and easy to drive. Did nine hours myself two days ago without feeling tired. Unfortunatley my passengers are still getting over it, so I do not recommend long days in the van!

Budget for lots of stops for pee and 'eye coffeee' (iced coffee) and stack up soft drinks and snacks in the van - Thais are happiest when they are eating constantly!

I see that Lonely Planet lists:

*A Mekong Guest House in Beung Kan tel 042491341

*Rustic basic bungalows in Ban Ahong

*Wat Phu Tok, near Beung Kan, as 'one of the region's true wonders' - wish I had read that bit before I drove it last time.

Be sure to visit Sala Kaew Ku Sculpture Park in Nong Khai - cheap admission (such things are important when there's 12 of you) and amazing to both Thais and falang. I agree with the poster who praised Nong Khai - it has a lovely ambience if you can stop a night or two.

Other odd tips:

If your Thai family is poor like mine they are used to sleeping close to he floor and taking a couple of fold up mattresses in the van increases your accommodation options and lowers cost. I thought about this in advance but forgot and it would have been useful

Take a an electrical multi socket extension if you have cameras, mobiles and PCs etc. Cheaper hotels have very limited power outlets

Post again on the Isaan forum if you want Ubon or Kong Chiam accomodation/family meal recommendations. I seem to remember that Darwin wrote an article about Kong Chiam on his www.weloveubon web-site.

Adited to add Other odd tips

Edited September 11, 2009 by SantiSuk

[manicl]

Thanks SantiSuk,

I was considering staying at Ban Kiang Nam Hotel in Kong Chiam rather than stay in Ubon itself, though I'm open to suggestions for either Ubon or Kong Chiam.

It will be a a fairly brisk paced tour over 8 nights so I'll save time by being pre-loaded with lots of information.

cheers

Mark

[Cuban]

Take MP3/music player with you.