Best Place To Live In Isaan

[azzamacman]

Hi all,

I have been based in the South for the last 5 years. I spent a few years in Chiang Mai before that. I am now looking to spend some time in Isaan.

I have been looking at Udon or Nong Khai I want somewhere with a bit of night life. But relaxed and cheep. Any inside info would be appriciated.

Edited July 26, 2010 by azzamacman

[zzaa09]

Kalasin, Mahasarakham, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Sisaket......all removed from the maddening crowd.

[azzamacman]

Kalasin, Mahasarakham, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Sisaket......all removed from the maddening crowd.

Thanks, I might start in Ubon and check them out from there.

[azzamacman]

Is it easy to rent a reasonable apartment in the bigger towns and what are the prices like? I am not looking to live in a small village.

Edited July 26, 2010 by azzamacman

[liveinlos]

Nong Kai is really nice and laid back.

Extremely cheap as well

Can get to Udon Thani in one hour

Khon Kaen in 3 hours

[MJP]

Kalasin, Mahasarakham, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Sisaket......all removed from the maddening crowd.

Yes, I agree. I live between Roi-Et and Kalasin.

Roi-Et is a nice town. Everything you need there (i.e., Makro and garden centres and a KFC to remind you of the Western diet).

[MJP]

Nong Kai is really nice and laid back.

Extremely cheap as well

Can get to Udon Thani in one hour

Khon Kaen in 3 hours

Have heard it's nice up there and of course you're right on the border.

[jazzbo]

I took a ride in a rental van (with driver) DEC 2009 RT from Khon Kaen to Ubon Rajathani ... the place that intrigued me the most for absolutely no specific reason was Yasothon ... I would like to go back some time and stay a while.

[barryofthailand]

I took a ride in a rental van (with driver) DEC 2009 RT from Khon Kaen to Ubon Rajathani ... the place that intrigued me the most for absolutely no specific reason was Yasothon ... I would like to go back some time and stay a while.

Really depends on what your looking for. If your looking for a large city with access to western food, and western people as well as nice Thai people than Udorn, or korat would probably fit your needs. If your looking for isolation, more country living, than some of the other provinces in Issarn would be better.

Barry

[sinbin]

Surin ?

[chops]

I've been living in Pattaya for a year and a half. Can't stand the place any more!

Udon Thani any good? How about Ubon? I need at least a few farang bars to satisfy my 'urges' if you know what I mean.

And I need a good cheap apartment in the 5k range.

[Dave the Dude]

I find Surin has every ammenity I need, including many varied farang bars/gogo's/Speed3 disco/Tawan-Deang rock club/2x KFC/Pizza Company/2x Tesco Lotus/BigC.

Cheap accomodation and Thai food is abundant. Locals very friendly too.

That's just my personal opinion from living here 4 years.

:jap:

[gotlost]

I find Surin has every ammenity I need, including many varied farang bars/gogo's/Speed3 disco/Tawan-Deang rock club/2x KFC/Pizza Company/2x Tesco Lotus/BigC.

Cheap accomodation and Thai food is abundant. Locals very friendly too.

That's just my personal opinion from living here 4 years.

:jap:

I have to agree with DD. I go back and forth between Chiang Mai and Kap Choeng, 1000 Kilometer drive and 60 Kilometers south of Surin. Surin and the area around is small town with most of the western needs.

[MAJIC]

I've been living in Pattaya for a year and a half. Can't stand the place any more!

Udon Thani any good? How about Ubon? I need at least a few farang bars to satisfy my 'urges' if you know what I mean.

And I need a good cheap apartment in the 5k range.

UdonThani used to be good,but now there is too many Bars,too many Farangs,and you will probably see plenty of Pattaya Guys there from time to time too.

[cardholder]

I find Surin has every ammenity I need, including many varied farang bars/gogo's/Speed3 disco/Tawan-Deang rock club/2x KFC/Pizza Company/2x Tesco Lotus/BigC.

Cheap accomodation and Thai food is abundant. Locals very friendly too.

That's just my personal opinion from living here 4 years.

:jap:

So no need to keep going back to Pattaya then Dave ?

[cardholder]

I've been living in Pattaya for a year and a half. Can't stand the place any more!

Udon Thani any good? How about Ubon? I need at least a few farang bars to satisfy my 'urges' if you know what I mean.

And I need a good cheap apartment in the 5k range.

List 10 to 20 things that are important to you and there see what sort of places fit the bill. Pick 3 or 4 likely places.

Then go and spend a couple of weeks in each place getting a feel for the area.

[Dave the Dude]

So no need to keep going back to Pattaya then Dave ?

Sneaking away again Thurday ,Ray!

(for food supplies )

Edited August 24, 2010 by Dave the Dude

[rgs2001uk]

So no need to keep going back to Pattaya then Dave ?

Sneaking away again Thurday ,Ray!

(for food supplies )

Food supplies plentiful in Garys pie shop.

Nip across the road to one of the karaoke bars, then back across the road to Harleys bar for a skinful.

Sure beats going all the way to Pattaya.

[Dave the Dude]

So no need to keep going back to Pattaya then Dave ?

Sneaking away again Thurday ,Ray!

(for food supplies )

Food supplies plentiful in Garys pie shop.

Nip across the road to one of the karaoke bars, then back across the road to Harleys bar for a skinful.

Sure beats going all the way to Pattaya.

The words 'Doorstep' and 'SH!t' spring to mind.

Thanks for the recommendation though, appreciated.

:jap:

Edited August 29, 2010 by Dave the Dude

[rgs2001uk]

^^^^^ Wise words indeed DD, words a recently departed resident of the parish would have done well to heed.

He used to nip down to Sin City on a food run, his problem was the takeaways in which he indulged were all from the Surin area.

You know Thai women cant keep their mouth shut, word soon made its way back to his mrs, well you know the rest.

Edited August 30, 2010 by rgs2001uk

[Dave the Dude]

^^^^^ Wise words indeed DD, words a recently departed resident of the parish would have done well to heed.

He used to nip down to Sin City on a food run, his problem was the takeaways in which he indulged were all from the Surin area.

You know Thai women cant keep their mouth shut, word soon made its way back to his mrs, well you know the rest.

I do and was sitting in a bar in Jomtiem last week when a lady said to me "do you know ***** of Buriram". I said "Yes, he's also a member of Thaivisa!!!"

[cardholder]

So no need to keep going back to Pattaya then Dave ?

Sneaking away again Thurday ,Ray!

(for food supplies )

Food supplies plentiful in Garys pie shop.

Nip across the road to one of the karaoke bars, then back across the road to Harleys bar for a skinful.

Sure beats going all the way to Pattaya.

Au contraire - I believe there is a wider selection in Pattaya and the prices are lower

[cardholder]

I do and was sitting in a bar in Jomtiem last week when a lady said to me "do you know ***** of Buriram". I said "Yes, he's also a member of Thaivisa!!!"

That comment may need some clarification:ph34r:

[Dave the Dude]

I do and was sitting in a bar in Jomtiem last week when a lady said to me "do you know ***** of Buriram". I said "Yes, he's also a member of Thaivisa!!!"

That comment may need some clarification:ph34r:

PM sent Ray

Don't worry, its wasn't you, she said.

[elliss]

You know Thai women cant keep their mouth shut, word soon made its way back to his mrs, well you know the rest.

oh so true ,

many ex-married farang ,

has played the field , and ended up living in the field .

[catlover]

I took a ride in a rental van (with driver) DEC 2009 RT from Khon Kaen to Ubon Rajathani ... the place that intrigued me the most for absolutely no specific reason was Yasothon ... I would like to go back some time and stay a while.

I look on your avatar- picture a and it is obvious what is the specific reason:you are rocket guy!Go there in may - you will witness rocket festival.

[jazzbo]

The avatar photo (minus the jet) is pretty much the view of the space shuttle I used to get from living near Orlando -- I would wait to see the lift-off on TV then run outside and in about 10 seconds it would clear the horizon and be visible as inthe photo (but no sound) ... sometimes the shuttle would land over Orlando and the sonic boom could shake the whole house ... Good idea! maybe I'll head to Yasaton for the rocket festival next MAY