Hoping to spend a month in Isaan soon

[roger1999]

I have lived in Chiang Mai for over 10 years and have not spent any significant amount of time in Isaan, and that's a pity. I'd love to spend a month in Isaan later this year or early next year. I'd prefer to arrive without using my car or motorbike, so I'd be on foot for a month.

Any suggestions as to which town might suit me best? For my month there I plan to read a lot, walk around a fair bit, and drink a few beers at night.

Suggestions are very welcome!

[hansnl]

It all depends what you expect.

Big town or small town?

Nightlife or no nightlife?

Udon Thani is very much "faranganised"

Khon Kaen is growing but still a big village and Isan-like

Korat, from what I hear, is more or less same-same as Udon.

And then you have the smaller towns around the towns mentioned above.

Why not try landing in a bigger town, and scout around.

If you find something interesting in a smaller town, well park yourself over there.

[roger1999]

Smallish town, I think. Nightlife isn't a major concern.

[SantiSuk]

Sisaket is sleepy as hell but has something genuine and Isaan-attractive about it. Surin is ok too going up a notch in size and facilities. Personally, were I to live in a town, I would prefer Ubon with its bigger town mentality, broader nightlife & restaurants (including Thai variants) and its excellent air links.

Khon Kaen's been nice to visit. Udon sounds beyond the pale (from an over-supply of falangs viewpoint) but that's unfair as I've only ever driven around it. Korat/Buriram never been. You need to do a tour first - nobody's recommendations are going to sync with yours, unless you are into drinking in foreigner bars and chasing falang-friendly wenches in which case Udon, as written up in ThaiV, seems to be the no1 choice.

Be careful of your 'b's and 'd's when on this subject! Ubon / Udon - big difference locked up in that one letter.

Edited August 28, 2013 by SantiSuk

[chuckd]

Check out Loei. Small enough yet large enough

[jpinx]

Why settle in one place? I prefer to tour around - a few days here and there. Mukdahan is nice on the river, Sisakhet has a river too and is a sleepy spot. Kalasin is a pleasant agricultural university town, Si Chiang Mai (opposite Vientiane) is small and very pleasant. No need to think too much if you're touring - just take the next bus that comes along and enjoy the ride.

Edited to add -- yes - Looei is very nice down by the river in Chiang Khan - a bit touristy (Thais) but nice.

Edited August 28, 2013 by jpinx

[tingtong]

being in a fairly large city, where things in downtown can be reached easily, or even on foot...hmm, it wont differ much if any than you being in Chiang Mai.

it will be anything but seeing Issan.

[tingtong]

being in a fairly large city, where things in downtown can be reached easily, or even on foot...hmm, it wont differ much if any than you being in Chiang Mai.

it will be anything but seeing Issan.

[ubonjoe]

I have to suggest Ubon.

Easy to get around.

Low cost of living.

A few places to a have cold beer with some fellow expats.

Airport with several flights a day to Bangkok.

Close to Lao and Cambodia border crossings for sight seeing or border runs for a new entry.

Etc Etc

[sirchai]

Ubon Ratchathani isn't really a small town, but worth to stay there for a month. Or longer.

Please see.- :

http://wikitravel.org/en/Ubon_Ratchathani

Edited August 28, 2013 by sirchai

[sirchai]

I have to suggest Ubon.

Easy to get around.

Low cost of living.

A few places to a have cold beer with some fellow expats.

Airport with several flights a day to Bangkok.

Close to Lao and Cambodia border crossings for sight seeing or border runs for a new entry.

Etc Etc

And the opportunity to meet some TV members .Aehh, meant some Thai Visa Forum members.-

Edited August 28, 2013 by sirchai

[Bpuumike]

It all depends what you expect.

Big town or small town?

Nightlife or no nightlife?

Udon Thani is very much "faranganised"

Khon Kaen is growing but still a big village and Isan-like

Korat, from what I hear, is more or less same-same as Udon.

And then you have the smaller towns around the towns mentioned above.

Why not try landing in a bigger town, and scout around.

If you find something interesting in a smaller town, well park yourself over there.

Khon Kaen is stills a big village and Isaan-like???

You must be bloody joking. Time you got out more, or visit me 3 hours drive away in the sticks.

I call it 'The Bermuda triangle'

[roger1999]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like I may want to bring the car after all, or maybe just do it all via bus. Thanks again.

[jpinx]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like I may want to bring the car after all, or maybe just do it all via bus. Thanks again.

Really -- do it by bus Driving you only see the road, bussing you see all around and get to meet the locals If you're a relaxed person it'll be fun even when you end up somewhere you can't pronuonce !!

[NeverSure]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like I may want to bring the car after all, or maybe just do it all via bus. Thanks again.

I spent all of April touring Isaan. I hadn't really seen it before. I think a car was a necessity. Buses don't go everywhere you get an urge to go, and they don't stop and go when you want. A car is so flexible for your schedule.

If flew into BKK and rented a car from Avis and took off traveling. I stayed in hotels every night. I had a great time.

I didn't take time to party at all. I was interested in the people and the scenery and other attractions. Besides, I got too tired to party.

I think you'll have a great time.

[transam]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like I may want to bring the car after all, or maybe just do it all via bus. Thanks again.

I spent all of April touring Isaan. I hadn't really seen it before. I think a car was a necessity. Buses don't go everywhere you get an urge to go, and they don't stop and go when you want. A car is so flexible for your schedule.

If flew into BKK and rented a car from Avis and took off traveling. I stayed in hotels every night. I had a great time.

I didn't take time to party at all. I was interested in the people and the scenery and other attractions. Besides, I got too tired to party.

I think you'll have a great time.

And you never looked me up ? .......................... ..............................

[NeverSure]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like I may want to bring the car after all, or maybe just do it all via bus. Thanks again.

I spent all of April touring Isaan. I hadn't really seen it before. I think a car was a necessity. Buses don't go everywhere you get an urge to go, and they don't stop and go when you want. A car is so flexible for your schedule.

If flew into BKK and rented a car from Avis and took off traveling. I stayed in hotels every night. I had a great time.

I didn't take time to party at all. I was interested in the people and the scenery and other attractions. Besides, I got too tired to party.

I think you'll have a great time.

And you never looked me up ? .......................... ..............................

I didn't know you were there or I would have. I'll bet you aren't as good looking as the two school teachers I stopped to visit.

[transam]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like I may want to bring the car after all, or maybe just do it all via bus. Thanks again.

I spent all of April touring Isaan. I hadn't really seen it before. I think a car was a necessity. Buses don't go everywhere you get an urge to go, and they don't stop and go when you want. A car is so flexible for your schedule.

If flew into BKK and rented a car from Avis and took off traveling. I stayed in hotels every night. I had a great time.

I didn't take time to party at all. I was interested in the people and the scenery and other attractions. Besides, I got too tired to party.

I think you'll have a great time.

And you never looked me up ? .......................... ..............................

I didn't know you were there or I would have. I'll bet you aren't as good looking as the two school teachers I stopped to visit.

Hmmmmmmm, oh those, well there's not much in it,..............................................

..............................................

[glegolo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like I may want to bring the car after all, or maybe just do it all via bus. Thanks again.

People here must be joking really!!!! . Visit Isaan means visit Isaan.. Not these bloody big cities. That is exactly what he wanted to get away from, and experience Isaan for what it is...

There is a lot of smaller places that really appreciate falangs like us, and like to talk and laugh WITH us, not AT us.... Places like Chaiyaphum, that doesn´t yet have that bigcity-mentality that is so extremely boring to see both at falangs as well as thai´s....

Let him have a nice experience, not just another tourist-experience.....

Glegolo

[Scotswahay]

Smallish town, I think. Nightlife isn't a major concern.

Hi Roger.

I live in a wee village near Loei. If you ever decide to come here I'd be happy to show you around. It's a good location to make day trips from to lots of really interesting places. A months rental of a small apartment would cost less than THB3000. I'm sure you would enjoy it here. PM me if you want any more details. Joe.

[rct99q]

The far north east region is a fantastic place to take in the Real Isaan. As some have mentioned moving around a bit might be a good way to see some of it.

I would recommend the Chiang Khan to Nakon Phanom river route. Can be done by bus at a leisurely pace. Stops to make would be;

Loei

Chiang Khan

Sangkhom (buoys guest house)

Sri Chiang Mai

Nong Khai (mut mee guest house)

Bueng Kan (visit wat phu tok)

Nakhon Phanom (visit wat taat phanom)

[NoshowJones]

I was a good looking school teacher, I am not now, a school teacher I mean, but I am still good looking.

[NoshowJones]

I was a good looking school teacher, I am not now, a school teacher I mean, but I am still good looking.

Thank you Oliver.

[BuriramRes]

First time I've experienced a post with really positive posts. Congrats all.

Yes, ISSAN is an interesting area. The Buriram/Satuek area is a reasonable area to explore too.

[winstonc]

I was a good looking school teacher, I am not now, a school teacher I mean, but I am still good looking.

Thank you Oliver.

get a room you two...wana see piccys as proof ..or your just a closet possum....

[NoshowJones]

I was a good looking school teacher, I am not now, a school teacher I mean, but I am still good looking.

Thank you Oliver.

get a room you two...wana see piccys as proof ..or your just a closet possum....

No i'm not, I was talking to Transam, and I thought Oliver was a girls name, I am disappointed now.

[RedQualia]

Haven't seen all of Isaan by far, and hope to visit the area again soon. Whenever the rainy season abates, probably. My preferred mode of travel is motorcycle.

It's kinda on the western edge of Isaan, I guess, but gotta say that I really liked Petchabun quite a bit. Lots of low mountains, clean town - not too big, friendly people. Lots of nice little roads to explore by motorcycle around Petchabun. Chaiyaphum, to the east a bit, doesn't seem quite as nice, but it's still really Thailand, and also filled with good people. Nakhon Ratchasima seemed a nice enough =city= to me... Seemed Thai working class, by and large. A good place to spend 3-4 days, anyway.

In the other direction - I liked Udon Thani when I visited there. Far fewer foreigners than around Chiang Mai, and I kept comparing it to Chiang Mai, where I live. Perhaps one of the most impressive things about Udon was that the roads were mostly laid out in a manner that yielded decent, usually not too crowded, traffic flow, whereas I sometimes get the feeling that attitude toward traffic management in Chiang Mai is that "we can out-gridlock Bangkok. Just you wait and see."

When I do get around to going to Isaan next, I plan to go to Nong Bua Lumphu, because I missed that last time. Then to Sawan Nakhon and maybe Nakhon Pharom. Back down to Kalasin, where there's alleged to be a nifty looking new temple, then to Roi Et, which is alleged to be the poorest province in Thailand. Maybe that means "really Thailand." I dunno. Gotta go see. From there probably toward Amnat Charoen (no idea why) and down to Ubon. Lots of people have had lots of good things to say about Ubon over the years. Must be a good place. I should go see. From there to Si Sa Ket and on down to Surin. I have no idea what's in Surin, so again - a good reason to go there. Also want to go to Sa Kaeo for the same reason. It's a short ride to Trat and Ko Chang after that, where I hope to spend a few days scuba diving. The diving there is enjoyable enough, and hey - I'm all Pattaya'ed out. That's the Isaan leg I'm thinking of, anyway. And it'll take as long as it takes. If I'm not too tired after all that, then I hope to ride over to the Mae Sot area, by Myanmar (far away from Isaan), and take Highway 105 along the border north from there, up to Mae Sariang. Have been to Mae Sariang a few times and like it there quite a bit. And then back home to Chiang Mai.

I guess one could do a trip such as that in a car, but doesn't sound like that much fun to me. Don't really think it could be done by bus/sorng thaew. Maybe, but wouldn't want to try it. Motorcycle it is, then.

(Previous bike trips: loop through Petchabun, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen on a Tiger Boxer 250; Uttaradit, Nakhon Thai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Vientiane, Chiang Khan, Loei on a Ninja 650; plus a couple of non-Isaan loops, through Mae Hong Son and Nan, and down to BKK on the bikes a time or two, going different ways. Isaan is kinda big. One trip won't be enough to cover it all.)

Edited August 29, 2013 by RedQualia

[slipperylobster]

Isaan, well, its not as big as you think. Pick any town towards the center and nothing will be further than 3 or 4 hours drive. Smaller towns would be boring. Udon is a good starting point with good transportation, enoug, h night life, and nice people. Plenty of farm land around if you get 10 kilometers out, so you can go talk to rubber trees and watch farmers drink whisky and nap. Loei has some good scenery, and the Mekong River goes on forever. If I am on the Mekong, Nong Khai would be the place to hang out. Been up and down, left and right.....and there are some ""charming spots" and it is always enjoyable getting that "Never seen a Farang Before" action. Recently, I did a border run in Nakhon Phanom and drove down the Mekong and back inland again. Korat has all those National Parks, if you are a hiker. I do prefer Udon...... and the Lao border is a handy 45 minute drive. Just don't get stuck on Soi Samphan..lol (you will find a few enclaves of wanna be lady bars. Prolbably more here than anywere else in this part of the country (for falangs)...but still not impressive. Can talk to all the married guys that bought a wife and a farm out in the countryside.

[recom273]

Issan to me is a staying in the village .. watching people trying to eek out their monthly donation from their relatives working in Bangkok, getting woken up at 6.30 by your uncle scrounging 40B for Lao-Khaow, Searching for land crabs in the evening, hanging out by the river catching Catfish .. If I were you I would steer clear of the cities, try and find a local with a spare bit of floor space, take your bike and get in the swing of it ( living life in the slow lane )

[cardholder]

Issan to me is a staying in the village .. watching people trying to eek out their monthly donation from their relatives working in Bangkok, getting woken up at 6.30 by your uncle scrounging 40B for Lao-Khaow, Searching for land crabs in the evening, hanging out by the river catching Catfish .. If I were you I would steer clear of the cities, try and find a local with a spare bit of floor space, take your bike and get in the swing of it ( living life in the slow lane )

Sounds like HELL ON EARTH !!