I'm driving a pickup truck up to Nongbualamphu tomorrow, can anyone advise me the best route to take?

Looking at the map 331/304/2/2109/2146 seems a logical choice.

Any must sees en-route? any BiB hots spots to avoid?

Thanks in advance.

Your route is the same as I would use but the level of "police intervention" depends if you are daytime or nightime driving AND if you are a leadfoot. I have done the trip several times and prefer night driving as the check points are fewer and legit, check your DL and you are on your way, whereas day time may see several, mostly bogus speed traps. Day OR night, there's a stretch just south of Khon Kaen where they use BS-band radar and you need to be very watchful for the silly traffic cop standing in the middle of the highway in darkness, trying to attract your attention with a flashlight! Also had a bullshit call just south of Korat when they wanted to see 'paper car' and after DL, insurance and rental agreement didn't qualify, a couple of red-ones were accepted as 'paper car'.

I find night time driving less fraught, especially through the hills north of Kabin Buri as most trucks tend to pull over and park up from 11pm onwards. The worst accidents and abject silliness with blind overtaking was all in daylight. Plus there's really buggerall to see along the way, especially in that long, flat stretch between Korat and KK so may as well do it at night. If you insist on daytime, try and time your transits through major towns to avoid the 7am-8am and 4pm-5pm rush-hours as that's when you find most multiple idiots on motorcycles aiming right at you!

Have a safe trip. I take 7 hours from Pattaya to Tumbon Nong Bua (not your Nong Bua) with a piss and noodles stop at Pak Thong Chai, south of Korat. You can do it easily on a full tank unless you are a leadfoot (I was in a Vigo 4x4). You may need to add a bit of time for that 2109/2146 cut as I am sure it has its unique hazards.

Quite often there's a police check point at Amphur Phon in Khon Kaen but they usually either wave you through or run a quick flashlight in the car. If they see it's a foreigner you might get a "Where are you going" and a glance at your driving license or passport.

Your route is the same as I would use but the level of "police intervention" depends if you are daytime or nightime driving AND if you are a leadfoot. I have done the trip several times and prefer night driving as the check points are fewer and legit, check your DL and you are on your way, whereas day time may see several, mostly bogus speed traps. Day OR night, there's a stretch just south of Khon Kaen where they use BS-band radar and you need to be very watchful for the silly traffic cop standing in the middle of the highway in darkness, trying to attract your attention with a flashlight! Also had a bullshit call just south of Korat when they wanted to see 'paper car' and after DL, insurance and rental agreement didn't qualify, a couple of red-ones were accepted as 'paper car'.

I find night time driving less fraught, especially through the hills north of Kabin Buri as most trucks tend to pull over and park up from 11pm onwards. The worst accidents and abject silliness with blind overtaking was all in daylight. Plus there's really buggerall to see along the way, especially in that long, flat stretch between Korat and KK so may as well do it at night. If you insist on daytime, try and time your transits through major towns to avoid the 7am-8am and 4pm-5pm rush-hours as that's when you find most multiple idiots on motorcycles aiming right at you!

Have a safe trip. I take 7 hours from Pattaya to Tumbon Nong Bua (not your Nong Bua) with a piss and noodles stop at Pak Thong Chai, south of Korat. You can do it easily on a full tank unless you are a leadfoot (I was in a Vigo 4x4). You may need to add a bit of time for that 2109/2146 cut as I am sure it has its unique hazards.

Many thanks for your reply. Got stopped by the BiB on the 304 about 25 Km before Nakon Ratchasima, allegedly speeding. B200 and I'm on my way. The 2109/2146 was a good choice (on the way back), much better than the Chum Pae - Nonbua road (or rather lack of road) on the way there.