Lower Isaan Driving Holiday- Where's Worth Visiting?

[tvaddict]

I'm considering driving through Isaan over the Songkran period with the family to have a nice break for about a week. We'll go via Nang Rong for sure to visit relatives but after that I would like to drive a bit further in and see what's about in the pick up before turning around and coming back.

I'm imagining some nice route taking in the best of the area.

Imagine you had a week ove rthere - where would you go?

Do you have any suggestions for a one week itinerary?

Places with some character, charm, scenic routes, waterfalls, places of interest, etc....

Also any recommendations for hotels, nightlife, bars, too would be handy on route.

Thanks in advance.

[hansnl]

Keep away from the roads during the Songkran Period, also in Isan!

Edited March 24, 2010 by hansnl

[tvaddict]

it might well be the week after songkran anyway

[mca]

Khao Yai National Park in Korat. Very nice.

[Rdrokit]

Yes, Khao Yai National parl is a definite. There are resorts in the park where you can spend a night. There are waterfalls there but not sure how they will be running as there has not been much rain since October.

If you have young children the Korat Zoo and Waterpark is a nice day outing. I like the Simi Thani Hotel in Korat (4 star).

About 50Km north of Korat off highway 2 towards Khon Kaen is Phimai which has the largest Khmer temple in Thailand. The temple marks one end of the ancient Khmer Highway from Angkor. The ruins are about 1000 years old and in excellent condition considering the are made of sandstone.

Enjoy your holiday.

Edited March 25, 2010 by Rdrokit

[tvaddict]

Thanks for the suggestions but we've been to Korat, Korat Zoo, Phimai already. I was looking for places deeper into Isaan - Surin direction, Udon etc....

[Dave the Dude]

Unfortunetly the best is unavailable right now, Cow pratvehan, nr Ubon(spellink) but as an alternative Phanum Rung is nice. The Elephant village outside of Surin is well worth a visit too.

Dave

[eurasianthai]

When I have a week available, or even a few days, I only go to Mukdahan in Isaan.

But I do not really go there to visit.

Not like the thousands of tourists, coming from Laos and Vietnam every day.

Through the recently built second friendship bridge.

I go there because I have a house there.

And for the food...

Edited March 25, 2010 by eurasianthai

[Tanaka]

Ban Chiang heritage villages between Udon and Sakhon Nakhon.

Phui Foilom Park, southwest Udon, Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, northwest Udon, and Phu Phra Bat Forest Park close by.

Nong Khai, Ubonrat Dam between Udon and Khon Kaen

[prakhonchai nick]

Ban Chiang heritage villages between Udon and Sakhon Nakhon.

Phui Foilom Park, southwest Udon, Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, northwest Udon, and Phu Phra Bat Forest Park close by.

Nong Khai, Ubonrat Dam between Udon and Khon Kaen

The OP specified Lower Isaan.. Your suggestions are all Upper Isaan!. Interesting places though!

[GarryP]

In Ubol there are a few places. Pa Taem with the cave (cliff face actually) paintings, Khong Chiam to see where the Moon river joins the Mekhong (also a very nice resort here for a stop over) and to watch the sunrise from over Laos, Kaeng Tana National Park and numerous waterfalls, a number of river beaches and also Pattaya of the North East on the Sirinthorn Dam, etc. Numerous temples if that's what interests you (personally find them quite boring), such as Wat Nong Pa Pong, the international forest temple, Pu Lon, etc.

[isanbirder]

There's a pinned thread on exactly your topic, OP. Otherwise, buy a Lonely Planet or Rough Guide and do your own planning; everybody has their own idea of what's worth visiting.

[NADTATIDA1]

Thanks for the suggestions but we've been to Korat, Korat Zoo, Phimai already. I was looking for places deeper into Isaan - Surin direction, Udon etc....

Originally you said lower issan but then included Udon which is higher issan,if you decide on Northern Issan ie;Udon,Nong Khai,Khon Kaen and Kalasin and drive around these places for a few days there is many areas to go to and attractions.

One day you could visit the Dinosaur museum at Phu Khum Khao Dinosaur Museum.

The museum project started in B.E.2538(1995) due to the discovery of dinosar fossils at Wat Sakkawan, Amphoe Sahatsakhan, Changwat Kalasin. The fossils found is a prime evidence for study and research and can be used as world class references.

This museum is the first dinosaur fossil museum in Thailand establishing for the purposes of study and research, preserving the fossils as references, and geological tourism. The museum is composed of a research building for dinosaur fossils and others vertebrate, and an exhibition building, and is opened to public.

How to get there

The museum is approximately 27 kms north of Changwat Kalasin. Accessibility is possible by the highway no.227. Just 3 kms before amphoe Sahatsakhan turn right to Wat Sakawan which is beside Sahatsakhan Suksa School.

Services

Opening hours : 08.30am. – 05.00 pm. everyday tel.(043)871-014 all welcome without any fee or charge.They may have a small fee now.Dinosaur Fossil Museum Phu Khum Khao

Also

The Traditional Thai Silk Industry

Chonnabot.

The landscape around Chonnabot is flat, dry and unspectacular. Deep into the dry season, the local cattle are as scrawny as the chickens, fields for crops are a muted brown and the soil crumbles in your hand like dry cake. In fact, the only thing green in any direction is a cluster of mulberry trees. Oddly enough, this setting is perfect starting point for that most Thai of industries, silk weaving. That some of the most vibrantly colored silk in the world could start life here is a mental leap of faith. Until, that is, you meet those involved at this, the grassroots level.

For the uninitiated, Chonnabot is more or less 60 kilometers southwest of Khon Kaen in Northeast Thailand. Due south of it is Hau Fai, a modest village where mulberry trees, on whose leaves silkworms feed, and a collection of silkworms farmers toil. The village has been raising silkworms and dyeing yarn for, well no one can actually remember. Hau Fai is a speck on the map, to say the least, including around 228 households, many of which have either weaving looms or bamboo racks of silkworms underneath their living quarters.

The silk industry is the one that is synonymous with Thailand. In fact, it's vastly older than the country. Northeast of Chonnabot on the Khorat Plateau is the village of Ban Chiang, now more of an archaeological site than anything else. Yet among the finds there have been unwoven and undyed silk thread remnants that date back thousands of years to the area's prehistoric civilization.

So silk and Siam have a long, detailed history but suffice it to say that by the 16th century, European traders had discovered the cloth as a valuable commercial item in this part of the world. By the 19th century, despite the role that fine silk played in Siamese high society, sericulture remained a cottage industry due to the flood of imported fabrics from China, Japan and as far afield as Persia.

Fast-forward to the present day and history is repeating itself in that, until the mid-20th century, local silk production was only prominent on a small scale. With the help of projects supported by Her Majesty the Queen the Thai silk industry has a promising future. Her Majesty's latest initiative is to certify Thai silk in order to authenticate and protect the reputation of the cloth from imitation fabrics. Thai silk is dividend into four grades based on specific silk type and production process, including weaving and dyeing.

Gold is a indication of premium silk made using traditional methods, silver is accredited to silk made from specific breeds of silkworm, blue is for Thai silk that uses chemical dyes, and green is a indicates silk blends with other fabrics. The reasoning behind such specific labeling is obvious: once again today, mass-produced silk from elsewhere in Asia is a threat to the traditional Thai silk industry.

ALSO UBONRAT DAM AND NAM PONG NATIONAL PARK

It is named Nam Pong National Park after its source called Nam Pong River which flows to be kept in Ubonrat Dam (also named Nam Pong Dam in the past). It is a national park, in accordance with the suggestion of Khorn Kaen Province, called in the past "Nam Pong – Phu Meng" because some of its parts are in Phu Meng Mountain Range. Nam Pong National Park, located in the west part of Khorn Kaen Province and close to Ubonrat Dam, is in the National Forest Reserve such as Soke Tae Forest, Phu Meng Forest, Koak Luang Forest, 3RD Cluster Koak Luang Forest, Phupadum Forest and Phupadang Forest in Ubonrat District, Banfang District, Nongriar District, Manjakiri District, and Koak Po Chai Sub-amphur, Khorn Kaen Province. And some areas are in Baantan District and Gangkor District, Chaiyaphum Province. It is about 197 square kilometers or 123,125 Rais.

Topography

The Park generally consists of sandstone mountain range, located above sea level and similar to the most mountain ranges in North Eastern Thailand. The mountain range, lying from north to south along with Ubonrat Dam, is the source of main rivers, for examples, Pong River, Shirn River and She River. Its north part is in Phupankam Mountain Range, and its south part is in Phu Meng Mountain Range. In the west side of the Park is alternately steep mountains and erected cliffs, some of which are in contact with the reservoir below. And in the east part of the park is a vastly plain area at the foothill which is about 600 meters above sea level.

Flora and Fauna

80% of the Num Pong National Park consists of deciduous forest which has mixed forest and grassland forest scattered everywhere. In the middle of the park, both Phupankam Mountain Range and Phu Meng Mountain Range, is productively semi-evergreen forest which is the source of streams flow to Ubonrat Dam. Not only wild animals live, but also have many important kinds of herb derive from this area. The valuable plants generally found are Siamese Sal, ingyin, Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, Ivingia malayana, iron wood, and shrubbery such as wild cycad, climbing plant, and many kinds of herb and prickly plant.

Most of animals found live in semi-evergreen forest in Phu Meng Mountain Range which is productive and rarely disturbed by man, and are medium-size and small-size animals, for examples, wild boar, barking deer, wolf, porcupine, pangolin, hare, jungle fowl, snake and many kinds of bird.

If you have any questions on the area or need any further advice just shout,have a good trip!

Edited March 26, 2010 by NADTATIDA1

[tvaddict]

Thanks to everyone for your ideas.

Nik - you're right- I was only looking for Lower Isaan ideas

Isanbirder- thanks for pointing out that there was a pinned thread but may I tell you that I had already done some research, including looking throughout everypost on that thread and found it to be mostly about an immigration office- the title is really rather misleading and it's not so useful. I'm not so sure why it's pinned. Thanks anyhow.

Nantadita- great suggestions and thanks very much for the info. I wasn't considering going so far north but maybe a trip up to Kalasin and that dinosaur museum is a worthwhile effort after all, as is a trip over to Eurasianthai's home town on Mukdahan.

Gary thanks for the info on Surin. Will be going there for sure before contemplating the drive north.

Sorry for spelling Ubon Udon by the way but most of you knew the error I suspect.

Cheers.

[Richard-BKK]

Thanks for the suggestions but we've been to Korat, Korat Zoo, Phimai already. I was looking for places deeper into Isaan - Surin direction, Udon etc....

Originally you said lower issan but then included Udon which is higher issan,if you decide on Northern Issan ie;Udon,Nong Khai,Khon Kaen and Kalasin and drive around these places for a few days there is many areas to go to and attractions.

One day you could visit the Dinosaur museum at Phu Khum Khao Dinosaur Museum.

The museum project started in B.E.2538(1995) due to the discovery of dinosar fossils at Wat Sakkawan, Amphoe Sahatsakhan, Changwat Kalasin. The fossils found is a prime evidence for study and research and can be used as world class references.

This museum is the first dinosaur fossil museum in Thailand establishing for the purposes of study and research, preserving the fossils as references, and geological tourism. The museum is composed of a research building for dinosaur fossils and others vertebrate, and an exhibition building, and is opened to public.

How to get there

The museum is approximately 27 kms north of Changwat Kalasin. Accessibility is possible by the highway no.227. Just 3 kms before amphoe Sahatsakhan turn right to Wat Sakawan which is beside Sahatsakhan Suksa School.

Services

Opening hours : 08.30am. – 05.00 pm. everyday tel.(043)871-014 all welcome without any fee or charge.They may have a small fee now.Dinosaur Fossil Museum Phu Khum Khao

Also

The Traditional Thai Silk Industry

Chonnabot.

The landscape around Chonnabot is flat, dry and unspectacular. Deep into the dry season, the local cattle are as scrawny as the chickens, fields for crops are a muted brown and the soil crumbles in your hand like dry cake. In fact, the only thing green in any direction is a cluster of mulberry trees. Oddly enough, this setting is perfect starting point for that most Thai of industries, silk weaving. That some of the most vibrantly colored silk in the world could start life here is a mental leap of faith. Until, that is, you meet those involved at this, the grassroots level.

For the uninitiated, Chonnabot is more or less 60 kilometers southwest of Khon Kaen in Northeast Thailand. Due south of it is Hau Fai, a modest village where mulberry trees, on whose leaves silkworms feed, and a collection of silkworms farmers toil. The village has been raising silkworms and dyeing yarn for, well no one can actually remember. Hau Fai is a speck on the map, to say the least, including around 228 households, many of which have either weaving looms or bamboo racks of silkworms underneath their living quarters.

The silk industry is the one that is synonymous with Thailand. In fact, it's vastly older than the country. Northeast of Chonnabot on the Khorat Plateau is the village of Ban Chiang, now more of an archaeological site than anything else. Yet among the finds there have been unwoven and undyed silk thread remnants that date back thousands of years to the area's prehistoric civilization.

So silk and Siam have a long, detailed history but suffice it to say that by the 16th century, European traders had discovered the cloth as a valuable commercial item in this part of the world. By the 19th century, despite the role that fine silk played in Siamese high society, sericulture remained a cottage industry due to the flood of imported fabrics from China, Japan and as far afield as Persia.

Fast-forward to the present day and history is repeating itself in that, until the mid-20th century, local silk production was only prominent on a small scale. With the help of projects supported by Her Majesty the Queen the Thai silk industry has a promising future. Her Majesty's latest initiative is to certify Thai silk in order to authenticate and protect the reputation of the cloth from imitation fabrics. Thai silk is dividend into four grades based on specific silk type and production process, including weaving and dyeing.

Gold is a indication of premium silk made using traditional methods, silver is accredited to silk made from specific breeds of silkworm, blue is for Thai silk that uses chemical dyes, and green is a indicates silk blends with other fabrics. The reasoning behind such specific labeling is obvious: once again today, mass-produced silk from elsewhere in Asia is a threat to the traditional Thai silk industry.

ALSO UBONRAT DAM AND NAM PONG NATIONAL PARK

It is named Nam Pong National Park after its source called Nam Pong River which flows to be kept in Ubonrat Dam (also named Nam Pong Dam in the past). It is a national park, in accordance with the suggestion of Khorn Kaen Province, called in the past "Nam Pong – Phu Meng" because some of its parts are in Phu Meng Mountain Range. Nam Pong National Park, located in the west part of Khorn Kaen Province and close to Ubonrat Dam, is in the National Forest Reserve such as Soke Tae Forest, Phu Meng Forest, Koak Luang Forest, 3RD Cluster Koak Luang Forest, Phupadum Forest and Phupadang Forest in Ubonrat District, Banfang District, Nongriar District, Manjakiri District, and Koak Po Chai Sub-amphur, Khorn Kaen Province. And some areas are in Baantan District and Gangkor District, Chaiyaphum Province. It is about 197 square kilometers or 123,125 Rais.

Topography

The Park generally consists of sandstone mountain range, located above sea level and similar to the most mountain ranges in North Eastern Thailand. The mountain range, lying from north to south along with Ubonrat Dam, is the source of main rivers, for examples, Pong River, Shirn River and She River. Its north part is in Phupankam Mountain Range, and its south part is in Phu Meng Mountain Range. In the west side of the Park is alternately steep mountains and erected cliffs, some of which are in contact with the reservoir below. And in the east part of the park is a vastly plain area at the foothill which is about 600 meters above sea level.

Flora and Fauna

80% of the Num Pong National Park consists of deciduous forest which has mixed forest and grassland forest scattered everywhere. In the middle of the park, both Phupankam Mountain Range and Phu Meng Mountain Range, is productively semi-evergreen forest which is the source of streams flow to Ubonrat Dam. Not only wild animals live, but also have many important kinds of herb derive from this area. The valuable plants generally found are Siamese Sal, ingyin, Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, Ivingia malayana, iron wood, and shrubbery such as wild cycad, climbing plant, and many kinds of herb and prickly plant.

Most of animals found live in semi-evergreen forest in Phu Meng Mountain Range which is productive and rarely disturbed by man, and are medium-size and small-size animals, for examples, wild boar, barking deer, wolf, porcupine, pangolin, hare, jungle fowl, snake and many kinds of bird.

If you have any questions on the area or need any further advice just shout,have a good trip!

Hello NADTATIDA1,

Is maybe possible that missed that copyright notification at the bottom of http://www.thaitrips.info/article.php/The-...i-Silk-Industry

Edited April 13, 2010 by Richard-BKK

[feffejonsson]

Khao Phra Viharn on the border to Cambodia (near Ubon Ratchatani). Spectacular and supposed to re-open during Songkran. Rong Glua border market (near Sa Kaeo),opposite the Cambodian city of Poipet (not sure if this counts for Isaan or not). Here you can make some real bargains.

[gotlost]

Khao Phra Viharn on the border to Cambodia (near Ubon Ratchatani). Spectacular and supposed to re-open during Songkran. Rong Glua border market (near Sa Kaeo),opposite the Cambodian city of Poipet (not sure if this counts for Isaan or not). Here you can make some real bargains.

Can you confirm that Phra Vihear is reopening. I understood it was just the National Park on the Thai side. Hope you are correct.

[bergen]

Khao Phra Viharn on the border to Cambodia (near Ubon Ratchatani). Spectacular and supposed to re-open during Songkran. Rong Glua border market (near Sa Kaeo),opposite the Cambodian city of Poipet (not sure if this counts for Isaan or not). Here you can make some real bargains.

Can you confirm that Phra Vihear is reopening. I understood it was just the National Park on the Thai side. Hope you are correct.

The border has not been reopened, so the temple is unavailable from the Thai side.

Only Khao Phra Viharn National Park is reopened from 10th until 18th of April.

Unfortunately its not worth visiting as the soldiers keep you away from anything interesting

[gotlost]

Khao Phra Viharn on the border to Cambodia (near Ubon Ratchatani). Spectacular and supposed to re-open during Songkran. Rong Glua border market (near Sa Kaeo),opposite the Cambodian city of Poipet (not sure if this counts for Isaan or not). Here you can make some real bargains.

Can you confirm that Phra Vihear is reopening. I understood it was just the National Park on the Thai side. Hope you are correct.

The border has not been reopened, so the temple is unavailable from the Thai side.

Only Khao Phra Viharn National Park is reopened from 10th until 18th of April.

Unfortunately its not worth visiting as the soldiers keep you away from anything interesting

Thanks for your reply. That's pretty much what I have understood. I have been to both and agree with your observation.

[SantiSuk]

Khao Phra Viharn on the border to Cambodia (near Ubon Ratchatani). Spectacular and supposed to re-open during Songkran. Rong Glua border market (near Sa Kaeo),opposite the Cambodian city of Poipet (not sure if this counts for Isaan or not). Here you can make some real bargains.

Can you confirm that Phra Vihear is reopening. I understood it was just the National Park on the Thai side. Hope you are correct.

The border has not been reopened, so the temple is unavailable from the Thai side.

Only Khao Phra Viharn National Park is reopened from 10th until 18th of April.

Unfortunately its not worth visiting as the soldiers keep you away from anything interesting

Please don't move away Bergen. TV relies on you as the monitor of Phra Vihan (many spellings accepted). I'm surprised the Governmentt hasn't yet stimulated another border clash to take people's minds off domestic issues.

[bergen]

Don't worry Santisuk.............I intend to remain right here. (most of the time)

Hope to see you over here one day............................

[feffejonsson]

I am sorry. I must have misunderstood my thai friend. He said Khao Phra Viharn would be open for songkran. I asked him today again and now he said that just the park on the thai side is open.

I forgot to ask if you´ve already been to Baan Taklang (Moo Baan Chang) the elephant village? Drive from Surin towards Roi Et. Turn to the left about half way between Chom Phra and Tha Tum. There are road signs telling you where to turn.

Edited April 14, 2010 by feffejonsson

[Richard-BKK]

3 months after reporting copyright violation - and no moderator has taken action...