Never been to Issan. Is there anything really worth seeing there?

[Jip99]

16 minutes ago, Waterloo said:

Yes our accomadation is not far from pub street just of the royal gardens so intend to treat ourselves to one night of luxury with dinner at Raffles as we are leaving the children with Yai this side of the border

 

I recommend the Haven training restaurant in Chocolate Street.....great food, great people... 

 

Raffles is a hotel (rather than a separate restaurant). If you want a bit of fine dining try Mango Cuisine (the tuck-tuck drivers may not know it...it is in Sok SAN Road). Young English chef from Birmingham. If I can find it I will add a picture of his chocolate ice cream and Kampot pepper with mango, bl00dy delicious.

Edited August 19, 2017 by Jip99

[Waterloo]

59 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

I recommend the Haven training restaurant in Chocolate Street.....great food, great people... 

 

Raffles is a hotel (rather than a separate restaurant). If you want a bit of fine dining try Mango Cuisine (the tuck-tuck drivers may not know it...it is in Sok SAN Road). Young English chef from Birmingham. If I can find it I will add a picture of his chocolate ice cream and Kampot pepper with mango, bl00dy delicious.

That does look delicious and worth serious consideration what are prices like and do they take credit cards?

Was aware that Raffles was a hotel, part of the attraction to eat there was the atmosphere the pool looks bigger than an Olympic pool and the hotel used to be part of the indo China grand tour

[Jip99]

48 minutes ago, Waterloo said:

That does look delicious and worth serious consideration what are prices like and do they take credit cards?

Was aware that Raffles was a hotel, part of the attraction to eat there was the atmosphere the pool looks bigger than an Olympic pool and the hotel used to be part of the indo China grand tour

This links to their FB page

 

Booking probably essential, also sensible at The Haven although it is low season.

 

 

http://www.mango-cuisine.com/

 

 

[Jip99]

Whilst we have probably strayed off topic, a trip to Siem Reap/Angkor Wat is certainly something exciting that you can take on from Lower Isaan.

[newjohnny]

OMG YES! It's essentially the birthplace of everything you love about Thailand. The food, the music, the landscape, the girls etc. But it's better with a Thai girlfriend for a bunch of reasons. And it's cheap as f#%k.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

 

[Waterloo]

13 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

Whilst we have probably strayed off topic, a trip to Siem Reap/Angkor Wat is certainly something exciting that you can take on from Lower Isaan.

Cheers prices look very reasonable 

[ALFREDO]

On 19/8/2560 at 8:12 PM, newjohnny said:

OMG YES! It's essentially the birthplace of everything you love about Thailand. The food, the music, the landscape, the girls etc. But it's better with a Thai girlfriend for a bunch of reasons. And it's cheap as f#%k.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

 

The only reason I got to know the Isaan region was, because I fell in love with a woman from Isaan,

otherwise - I would never have come there and after now nearly 20 years in Isaan,

I have to say - would have nothing missed, if I had not come and lived here now, except some beautiful temples and the Mekong

 

South of Bangkok has its beaches East and West

North has beautiful hills and mountains - I like very much, in all directions from Chiang Mai and the Mekong too  

The West and North-West of Bangkok has nice landscape until Myanmar- Burma

 

North East - Isaan - mostly flat lands - except of some view parts - 

 

 

Edited August 21, 2017 by ALFREDO

[transam]

34 minutes ago, ALFREDO said:

 

North East - Isaan - mostly flat lands - except of some view parts - 

 

 

But there is a farang there with an angels voice.....

[JLCrab]

... but what about angels with a farang's voice?

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎8‎/‎16‎/‎2017 at 9:05 AM, ALFREDO said:

Right!  

 

OP,  =thaibeachlovers=, I only surprised that that in nearly 50 years,  no Thai woman or man, brought you to her/his family home in Isaan.  

No intense relationships it seems. 

 

By the way - in your age - you decide to live your lifespan out some other place? Why and where?  

My second long term girlfriend was from Buriram, but as we never intended getting married she didn't take me to meet the family. She never spoke about the place though, so we just went to the beach.

 

My eventual wife was from up north, and that's where we lived, firstly near the Lao border and then up near Chiang Mai.

Edited August 28, 2017 by thaibeachlovers

[ALFREDO]

20 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

My second long term girlfriend was from Buriram, but as we never intended getting married she didn't take me to meet the family. She never spoke about the place though, so we just went to the beach.

 

My eventual wife was from up north, and that's where we lived, firstly near the Lao border and then up near Chiang Mai.

Buriram was before the BIG figure Newin Chidchob appeared to pull the strings an unimportant province on the quiet Cambodian border. 

Now the Capital has a Asian First class Football stadium and Football Team - Thai Champions and a new state of the Art Racing Circuit with International Races - World Championship of Superbikes and soon possibly Moto GP too!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newin_Chidchob

 

So on one side understandable your GF found it herself boring there, but - usually - Thai women like to bring the Bf-Long time-Falang to their home - one to show off and second - mostly women living in very poor conditions to find the GOOD HEART in their Bf and possibly let her and her family have some more financial help for necessary things in the house or some other things. 

 

North and Chiang Mai - much more nice then most of Isaan.

 

So you go back to where soon? Why?  

 

 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2017 by ALFREDO

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎8‎/‎16‎/‎2017 at 9:46 AM, transam said:

It is most definitely cheaper to live in Isaan.....

LOL, I can live cheaply anywhere in Thailand if I stay in a dump, eat off foodcarts and use the hotel internet to waffle on TVF all day. Unfortunately I do spend far too much time on TVF- I really should get a life.

Anyway, I don't have a car, so any sightseeing has to be done with travel agents etc, and decent hotels do cost, plus I've never been fond of foodcarts, so if I was going to visit Issan I'd expect it to be spectacular enough to justify the extra expense I'd have to pay.

 

Thanks to all for the many replies. I never expected so many, which is why I didn't visit for a while.

If I can find a travel agent offering an all expense included tour I'll visit, but from the posts I've read I'd need a car, and probably a Thai companion, neither of which I have, so probably not by myself, other than perhaps a bus trip to Khon Kaen and back after a day or two, or I could try for a detour on my next trip south.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

4 minutes ago, ALFREDO said:

Buriram was before the BIG figure Newin Chidchob appeared to pull the strings an unimportant province on the quiet Cambodian border. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newin_Chidchob

 

So on one side understandable your GF found it herself boring there, but - usually - Thai women like to bring the Bf-Long time-Falang to their home - one to show off and second - mostly women living in very poor conditions to find the GOOD HEART in their Bf and possibly let her and her family have some more financial help for necessary things in the house or some other things. 

 

North and Chiang Mai - much more nice then most of Isaan.

 

So you go back to where soon? Why?  

 

 

 

 

I go where ever fate takes me. At the moment fate isn't taking me anywhere.

[ALFREDO]

5 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I go where ever fate takes me. At the moment fate isn't taking me anywhere.

 

2 weeks ago - lol 

"Now in what will probably be the last year of staying in Thailand before I leave it for ever."

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎8‎/‎16‎/‎2017 at 10:23 AM, wildewillie89 said:

The gates obviously have to be locked constantly. Caucasian roams the land protecting the boundaries. The Fila will be more of a close, personal protection dog. 99.9% of the time everything is fine, but during election times the family get the threats (3rd world politics lol). Although will be interesting if it happens with the dogs. 

Some big breeds there...boys do a lot better together than girls. What do you have currently?

 

Socialised the hell out of the Caucasian, she is pretty good now. Knows when and when not to step up. I can happily walk her through the village each day. She will let people touch her if I am comfortable with them. The whole village know her name and like to say hello as they drive past on the motorbikes (I think just happy that a dog is not trying to attack them). At her home her temperament is obviously the opposite, very protective. 

Will do the same with the Fila, but slightly different as their disliking for strangers is slightly stronger. 

Ah, this discussion about big dogs makes me nostalgic for when I was a doghandler in Antarctica. I had 24 Malamutes to look after. Now they really are big dogs. Broke my heart leaving them when my time was up. All the dogs in Antarctica were removed years ago, and the bases are the worse for it. Bl00dy bureaucrats.

 

boys do a lot better together than girls

Not mine. Same sex would rip each other up at any chance- fighting for supremacy and all that. I had to pair male and female on the trace to avoid problems.

[davidst01]

9 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

LOL, I can live cheaply anywhere in Thailand if I stay in a dump, eat off foodcarts and use the hotel internet to waffle on TVF all day. Unfortunately I do spend far too much time on TVF- I really should get a life.

Anyway, I don't have a car, so any sightseeing has to be done with travel agents etc, and decent hotels do cost, plus I've never been fond of foodcarts, so if I was going to visit Issan I'd expect it to be spectacular enough to justify the extra expense I'd have to pay.

 

Thanks to all for the many replies. I never expected so many, which is why I didn't visit for a while.

If I can find a travel agent offering an all expense included tour I'll visit, but from the posts I've read I'd need a car, and probably a Thai companion, neither of which I have, so probably not by myself, other than perhaps a bus trip to Khon Kaen and back after a day or two, or I could try for a detour on my next trip south.

 

You can laugh at the comment that things are cheaper in isan. But have you lived there yourself? No??

 

To rent a new 3 b/r house 2 bathrooms 8000 a month. In pattaya or bangkok huge money. 

 

Dentists, vets are cheaper up here. We compared this to the wifes brother living in bang sean. It is cheap up here believe me. Many examples but cant be bothered going on

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, davidst01 said:

You can laugh at the comment that things are cheaper in isan. But have you lived there yourself? No??

 

To rent a new 3 b/r house 2 bathrooms 8000 a month. In pattaya or bangkok huge money. 

 

Dentists, vets are cheaper up here. We compared this to the wifes brother living in bang sean. It is cheap up here believe me. Many examples but cant be bothered going on

Jai yen, jai yen. I wasn't "laughing" at anything- just sayin'.

What would I want with 3 br? It's just an invitation to have the family move in. No thanks.

However, I didn't start this thread to find out how cheaply I can live in Issan as I have no intention of living there. I just want to know what is worth seeing there.

[Jip99]

11 minutes ago, davidst01 said:

You can laugh at the comment that things are cheaper in isan. But have you lived there yourself? No??

 

To rent a new 3 b/r house 2 bathrooms 8000 a month. In pattaya or bangkok huge money. 

 

Dentists, vets are cheaper up here. We compared this to the wifes brother living in bang sean. It is cheap up here believe me. Many examples but cant be bothered going on

 

 

 

You don't need to defend living in Isaan, it is a personal choice - we all know that.  10 years ago I decided to make Isaan my base.

 

We also all know that there are compromises to be made if you choose to live in Isaan. Dentists are certainly one of the - they are butchers and you will get charged the same 500 Baht for a visit as I will in Pattaya. I am domiciled in Isaan but will travel to Pattaya for first class dental treatment.

 

Good quality western food is another one..... I have already commented on the substantially better quality, variety of price for food and drink in the Pattaya area.

[transam]

3 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

 

You don't need to defend living in Isaan, it is a personal choice - we all know that.  10 years ago I decided to make Isaan my base.

 

We also all know that there are compromises to be made if you choose to live in Isaan. Dentists are certainly one of the - they are butchers and you will get charged the same 500 Baht for a visit as I will in Pattaya. I am domiciled in Isaan but will travel to Pattaya for first class dental treatment.

 

Good quality western food is another one..... I have already commented on the substantially better quality, variety of price for food and drink in the Pattaya area.

Rubbish.......

[Jip99]

1 minute ago, transam said:

Rubbish.......

 

 

Rubbish back at ya.

 

 

If you want to express an opinion substantiate it...

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎8‎/‎19‎/‎2017 at 11:15 AM, Kadilo said:

On the contrary. It's a beautiful area with lots to see and do, but like everything it depends on what your interests are and what you enjoy doing whilst here.



Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

I'll bite.

I enjoy seeing beautiful scenery. Think the land east of the 1020 going into Chiang Khong. I also like beautiful temples and forest.

At night some eye candy barbeers are always welcome.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

Rubbish back at ya.

 

 

If you want to express an opinion substantiate it...

Can we please drop the pointless bickering. Even the dogs and the cost of living in Issan posts were of some interest, while bickering is of no interest at all to anyone else.

[Jip99]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Can we please drop the pointless bickering. Even the dogs and the cost of living in Issan posts were of some interest, while bickering is of no interest at all to anyone else.

 

I wasn't bickering Sir! 

 

Some other ar5e simply posted "rubbish" which is no post at all, adds no value with supporting opinion.

 

I have no trouble with someone having a different POV - but just saying "rubbish" is brainless.

[transam]

4 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

Rubbish back at ya.

 

 

If you want to express an opinion substantiate it...

In Ubon we have English, American, Italian, Mexican food, perhaps other stuff, but if you are used too A-la-carte stuff then go down south....

Your dentist thingy is crap....

[thaibeachlovers]

37 minutes ago, ALFREDO said:

 

2 weeks ago - lol 

"Now in what will probably be the last year of staying in Thailand before I leave it for ever."

probably is the important word. I don't know what will happen or whom I will meet the next time I go outside the door, or even if I will be mere ash in a year's time.

Besides, one can go a lot of places in a year, depending on fate, and I have the choice of two different countries to live my last days in.

[Jip99]

3 minutes ago, transam said:

In Ubon we have English, American, Italian, Mexican food, perhaps other stuff, but if you are used too A-la-carte stuff then go down south....

Your dentist thingy is crap....

 

 

Please don't say the dentist thingy is crap, you simply show your ignorance. My opinion is based on fact... of using dentists in Buriram, Prakhonchai and Surin  vs Dr Warin Leepai in Pattaya. Vastly superior. Maybe Ubon is different, I said beforeyour mileage may vary...

 

As regards food I can get all those you mentioned; nothing wrong with a la carte (your negative comment tends to label you) but I was simply referring to comparable quality and price.

 

Do you get out much?

 

 

[transam]

1 minute ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

Please don't say the dentist thingy is crap, you simply show your ignorance. My opinion is based on fact... of using dentists in Buriram, Prakhonchai and Surin  vs Dr Warin Leepai in Pattaya. Vastly superior. Maybe Ubon is different, I said beforeyour mileage may vary...

 

As regards food I can get all those you mentioned; nothing wrong with a la carte (your negative comment tends to label you) but I was simply referring to comparable quality and price.

 

Do you get out much?

 

 

Sadly I haven't been out much to sing of late...

 

Your post that Isaan dentist were "crap" is far worse than my post just because of the places YOU went too....

Sorry but the "label" belongs to you as you think everything that has happened to you happens to us all, which is crap...

 

[Jip99]

5 minutes ago, transam said:

Sadly I haven't been out much to sing of late...

 

Your post that Isaan dentist were "crap" is far worse than my post just because of the places YOU went too....

Sorry but the "label" belongs to you as you think everything that has happened to you happens to us all, which is crap...

 

 

Wrong again.

 

I only ever give MY opinions and MY experiences.

 

That is what a forum is about.

 

Personally, as much as I enjoy residing in Isaan, I will spend the money on fuel to acquire better quality services somewhere else. That includes dentistry, hospitals and food quality - where I can pay 149 Baht for a first class roast lamb Sunday dinner, 400 Baht for unlimited American ribs, 550 Baht for a 5 course lobster night or 1,000+ Baht for high quality steaks.

 

 

[transam]

17 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

Wrong again.

 

I only ever give MY opinions and MY experiences.

 

That is what a forum is about.

 

Personally, as much as I enjoy residing in Isaan, I will spend the money on fuel to acquire better quality services somewhere else. That includes dentistry, hospitals and food quality - where I can pay 149 Baht for a first class roast lamb Sunday dinner, 400 Baht for unlimited American ribs, 550 Baht for a 5 course lobster night or 1,000+ Baht for high quality steaks.

 

 

Enjoy your trip....

 

Why are you not living in your perfect utopia...?

[Jip99]

7 minutes ago, transam said:

Enjoy your trip....

 

Why are you not living in your perfect utopia...?

 

 

That my whole point Tranny...... I am. 

 

 

I enjoy the best of both worlds Property in Isaan, property in Jomtien..... I divide my time between the two as I see fit.