Traipsing around Buriram, Surin Countryside - Worthwhile?

[henrik2000]

Hi, pondering 1 – 2 weeks from mid-December low-key touristing in the region of Buriram, Surin, perhaps Sisaket or south of Khorat. For explorations, I’m ready to rent bicycle, motorcycle, car (did this before in Thailand and India). There is very little information on this area and the satellite picture seems to be empty greenery except when zooming in real deep.

.

I wonder if it’s nice? Your say?

I have been to many other Isaan places, including Khong Chiam, Ubon, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Chiang Dao and many villages in between and liked the people a lot. Usually there are some mid-range resorts even in remote places, and some can be spotted on Google Maps. I speak basic Thai, Phnom Penh Khmer (not Surin Khmer), a little Isaan/Lao (enough for small talk, directions & calling hotel about rooms), but can’t read.

I would use GPS navigation with Google Maps on the mobile (if i can secure a SIM and get online), else Sygic.

Some things i like:

• lush greenery on nature trails and young rice fields on cool mornings (maybe not best in December?)
• Thai live music like luk thung, morlam, Carabao-style, Thai pop (but not indie rock)
• generelly village atmosphere and riversides; no western-tourist services needed
• relaxed local style garden restaurants with none-too-spicy food (enjoy khao tom rice soup, tom ka ghai, but not super-spicy, meaty, greasy stuff; ghai yaeng grilled chicken w/ sticky rice once per week)
• lower mid-range hotel rooms w/ private bath (Chinese tiled boxes are doable, even though small bungalows in village resorts prefered, hopefully below 1000 THB/night); love accomm. closest to nature
• able to do lot of exploration on my own in villages and nature – best by walking or bicycle. Scooter (not dirt-bike) and self-driven 2WD car are ok for getting me somewhere, but not for joy rides. Bus + tuktuk are ok too of course.
• interest in Khmer-speaking communities (but not Khmer ruins)
• good real coffee, best with real hot milk

I have no special interest in Khmer ruins, but they might be useful as points of orientation around which some services and walks might be availabe. I thought bigger Isaan towns relatively dull, but they will be needed for accommodation, coffee and live music. I am not into white-water rafting or natural sciences, more into scenery and everyday life.

Thanks for all your real-life experiences!

[Jip99]

You are a welcome addition to Thailand, Sir.

I think you will be happy wherever you go.

[Gonsalviz]

Surin is ok. Only been there 2 times but have not seen much except the elephant show.

Buriram on the other hand, I have only been once but there are many historical sights. Well marked areas. I will be returning soon I hope.

[TEFLKrabi]

Lots of ancient sites in both Buriram and Surin as all as elephants, quiet drives and lots of local food! Try all the different Tawan Daeng pubs along the way. It's a lovely part of Thailand.

[katana]

Prasat Hin Phanom Rung temple in Buriram might be worth a visit.

[TheRascal]

Prasat Hin Phanom Rung temple in Buriram might be worth a visit.

I went there, was cool - steep as <deleted> drive up to it!

[TheKnave]

The road around the volcano in Buriram is nice.

[Estrada]

I have a house in Bahn Tungmon 1, which is where the famous Monk, Lung Phor Hong has two temples (Wat Petchaburi) you can get to it from Prasart Town taking the road alongside the Police Station. It is signposted to the temple. After 1km you will find a low cost, modern, stand alone hotel rooms on the left hand side of this road which back on to a large reservoir. Further on there is another on the right hand side, which is a resort and restaurant. Both resorts are under B1,000. There is also Ryan's Resort on the Sisaket Road east of Prasart, they have bicycle rental, hair dresser, swimming pool, also under B1,000.

If you are coming from Surin I suggest Hua Sanaeng reservoir if you like the country side. I recommend Phanom Sawai Forest Park south west of Surin.

On the way out of Prasart riding towards the border at Chom Chong, as you cross the traffic lights at the Tesco Superstore, you will see some shop houses on the right. Here, there are also cheap, but modern low cost rooms to rent, and also Staffords Expat restaurant and bar. Staffords import and deliver all over Thailand hard to get UK food stuffs, often much cheaper than Villa Supermarket. They also make all sorts of Stafford meat pies. It's an opportunity to flap the gums with the local expats.

Thai Khamen, which I speak, is around 20% the same as the Cambodian Khmer language. But common words are quite similar.

I must point out that it could be dangerous to travel by bicycle alone, a couple of friends have been attacked riding alone in this area, and later died in hospital. However, it was suspected that the motives in both cases was that their Thai wives wanted to get rid of them. I have never had a problem in the 33 years I have been here.

[AYJAYDEE]

two nice resorts in our area. the ride along the cambodian border is very nice

http://www.pongsinresort.com/

http://rerawadiresort.com/en/

[1FinickyOne]

I think you will find plenty of resorts and homestays anywhere you venture - Much of Isaan is flat, dry and not so green… not the scenery you describe…

If you have not been, some of the areas that you might enjoy might be Kanchanaburi - and less touristed would be Northern Petchaboon Province. I was just up in Nan Province which is probably the least touristed and yet plenty of small resorts there too… you might try Loei and Chiang Rai for its lovely rolling hills and small hilltribe villages and local grown coffee..

I have been in tha Surin Buriram area a few times and nothing particular there for me other than visiting friends and some distant family. The driving there was simply the worst I have encountered in Thailand - and that is going some. It seemed that on a two lane, people would just pull out into oncoming traffic if they wanted to pass. It was so disconcerting for me that I would find a bus or truck and just sit quietly behind them so that I would not be hit head on…

Have fun.

[1FinickyOne]

ps - you might look to make a tour of some national parks - many have places to rent on premises and if not usually cheap accommodations nearby...

[georgemandm]

Hi, pondering 1 2 weeks from mid-December low-key touristing in the region of Buriram, Surin, perhaps Sisaket or south of Khorat. For explorations, Im ready to rent bicycle, motorcycle, car (did this before in Thailand and India). There is very little information on this area and the satellite picture seems to be empty greenery except when zooming in real deep.

.

I wonder if its nice? Your say?

I have been to many other Isaan places, including Khong Chiam, Ubon, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Chiang Dao and many villages in between and liked the people a lot. Usually there are some mid-range resorts even in remote places, and some can be spotted on Google Maps. I speak basic Thai, Phnom Penh Khmer (not Surin Khmer), a little Isaan/Lao (enough for small talk, directions & calling hotel about rooms), but cant read.

I would use GPS navigation with Google Maps on the mobile (if i can secure a SIM and get online), else Sygic.

Some things i like:

• lush greenery on nature trails and young rice fields on cool mornings (maybe not best in December?)
• Thai live music like luk thung, morlam, Carabao-style, Thai pop (but not indie rock)
• generelly village atmosphere and riversides; no western-tourist services needed
• relaxed local style garden restaurants with none-too-spicy food (enjoy khao tom rice soup, tom ka ghai, but not super-spicy, meaty, greasy stuff; ghai yaeng grilled chicken w/ sticky rice once per week)
• lower mid-range hotel rooms w/ private bath (Chinese tiled boxes are doable, even though small bungalows in village resorts prefered, hopefully below 1000 THB/night); love accomm. closest to nature
• able to do lot of exploration on my own in villages and nature best by walking or bicycle. Scooter (not dirt-bike) and self-driven 2WD car are ok for getting me somewhere, but not for joy rides. Bus + tuktuk are ok too of course.
• interest in Khmer-speaking communities (but not Khmer ruins)
• good real coffee, best with real hot milk

I have no special interest in Khmer ruins, but they might be useful as points of orientation around which some services and walks might be availabe. I thought bigger Isaan towns relatively dull, but they will be needed for accommodation, coffee and live music. I am not into white-water rafting or natural sciences, more into scenery and everyday life.

Thanks for all your real-life experiences!

I have been traveling around all those places you are talking about in the last 3 months and I have found burirum to be the best at of all of them and use it as my home base now if you want a good place to say message and I will let you know more cheers

[watso63]

The Thai Hotel in Buriram is clean and comfortable with an aircon room at 450 Baht. It's right in the centre of town next to the entertainment area with Tawang Daeng, Speed Music Hall, Bamboo Bar (longest serving expat bar/restaurant in Buriram). Jimmy's Sports Cafe and Paddy's Bar are other good places to visit and meet up with various expats. There's the football stadium and the best motor racing circuit in Thailand but you'll have to check if there's anything on. In Chumphonburi while you are here is the local Eel Festival. It's a large harvest festival with competitions for the best float designs. Lots of local arts and crafts are on display, with many market stalls and draught beer bars set up. There is lots of live music featuring top Thai artists. I believe one of my favourites Pongsit Kampee is booked on the first night. I cycle all over this area and have never had a problem off the main roads. From Chumphonburi you can cycle either side of the main road heading east through many picturesque villages. It is the Jasmine Rice growing area of Thailand and all of the harvesting will be over but it will be relatively cool and dry. A 35km ride from Chumphonburi will get you to Ban Ta Klang (Elephant Village). I know some great Thai people there and there is a resort in the village. Good places to eat too. On monday and wednesday mornings the elephants on the Surin Project go for a walk down to the Moon River to get bathed by the guests and their mahouts. Another 35km ride will take you to Tunggular Lake which has clear water for swimming and many small places to sit and eat. From there it is easy flat cycling to Tha Thum and then down to Surin. There is a silk specialist village on the back roads towards Surin. Anyway PM should you require any further info, but most of all enjoy?

[Bredbury Blue]

Chumponburi was a new one for me and the wife, both never heard of it...we were obviously a stones throw away last month when we visited the Elephant Village.

Just back from a great 10 day roadtrip. ..might give you a few ideas

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858769-driving-from-bangkok-to-ubonstay-where-see-what/page-2

[Bredbury Blue]

^...and the area is definitely worth a visit

[henrik2000]

Hi all, thanks for some good advice and interesting links to hotels and other threads! Thanks also for offering further advice - i might come back to your offer a few weeks from now!

Estrada, also interesting about the murders. I might want to refrain from a sudden wedlock in those parts. I heard it can happen.

Kenk, thanks for pointing out Northern Petchaboon and Nan areas. Sure they are nice and worth a visit. (I have motored around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces, but not Nan.)

Watso, thanks for hotels with Tawan Daeng proximity - very nice (hopefully soundproof). Interesting you mentioned Pongsit Kampee - Pongsit CDs were once gifted to me by a friendly Thai hotel owner in Nakhon Si (but overall i prefer Carabao's pleua-chivit).

Watso, also thanks for recommending the bicyle route. It sounds absolutely like my kind of thing (in cool weather with known snack stops along the way). Just for those tours a halfway decent bicycle is need. I don't mind a wobbly cheap mountain bike (typical tourist rental) or kid's bike to get to the next rice field or riverside, but for 35+ kms i might want something slightly nicer (even though 1 gear would still be enough perhaps).

Thanks again everybody!

[uptheos]

Trapsing around anywhere new is interesting, sometimes exciting.

I think the OP will enjoy wherever he goes.

[louse1953]

I have a house in Bahn Tungmon 1, which is where the famous Monk, Lung Phor Hong has two temples (Wat Petchaburi) you can get to it from Prasart Town taking the road alongside the Police Station. It is signposted to the temple. After 1km you will find a low cost, modern, stand alone hotel rooms on the left hand side of this road which back on to a large reservoir. Further on there is another on the right hand side, which is a resort and restaurant. Both resorts are under B1,000. There is also Ryan's Resort on the Sisaket Road east of Prasart, they have bicycle rental, hair dresser, swimming pool, also under B1,000.

If you are coming from Surin I suggest Hua Sanaeng reservoir if you like the country side. I recommend Phanom Sawai Forest Park south west of Surin.

On the way out of Prasart riding towards the border at Chom Chong, as you cross the traffic lights at the Tesco Superstore, you will see some shop houses on the right. Here, there are also cheap, but modern low cost rooms to rent, and also Staffords Expat restaurant and bar. Staffords import and deliver all over Thailand hard to get UK food stuffs, often much cheaper than Villa Supermarket. They also make all sorts of Stafford meat pies. It's an opportunity to flap the gums with the local expats.

Thai Khamen, which I speak, is around 20% the same as the Cambodian Khmer language. But common words are quite similar.

I must point out that it could be dangerous to travel by bicycle alone, a couple of friends have been attacked riding alone in this area, and later died in hospital. However, it was suspected that the motives in both cases was that their Thai wives wanted to get rid of them. I have never had a problem in the 33 years I have been here.

No western tourist services required,remember.You put him in a 2 farang hang spots.Phanom Sawai forest park is ok.Forget Kymer,everybody speaks Thai.

Edited November 5, 2015 by louse1953