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  1. #1
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    Chang yai's Avatar
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    Bangkok to Khon Kaen by car

    Hello, Looking for a few tips -

    I arrive in Bangkok on Friday and have booked a hotel for a few nights. My plan is to hire a car and drive up to Issan with the girlie and stay for a week or so around Khon Kaen. I dont wish to hurry, and would like to make many overnight stops. Ive been there only once before (KK) and figure that there is many more interesting places than the couple of places I went to. Pattaya 2 etc.

    So, what Im after is any suggestions for a route (no pun intended), Sight seeing, places to stay, car rental from Bangers etc.

    And, I promise to take photos and post 'em on here, O.K. ?

  2. #2
    Lord of Swine
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    Mate, can't help with rentals, there is a guy in the classifieds on here who rents SUVs..

    The route is fairly straight forward.
    Depending on where you start from, I go up Katchanaphisek rd in Nonthaburi, this turns into highway 9 going north.
    If you are in BKK central, there are a couple of expressways that will send you north.
    All drop you on AH1 which swings by Saraburi, then you take the Nakon Ratchisima turnoff AH12 which takes you all the way to KK.
    All good dual carriage way and an easy drive.
    After NE of Saraburi and past Pak Chong there is a big dam with lots of waterside resteraunts for lunch.
    Leave in the morning and you can be in KK early evening, even with some stops.

    I've driven that way once, but no time for stops unfortunately.

    https://teakdoor.com/the-teakdoor-lou...-trip-pt1.html

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    I once used an outfit called FastCarHire based out of London I think.

    They have a couple of pick up locations or can deliver to your hotel. I used the one in town - Pratunam but the Airport base is handy too.

    Cheap Car Hire Thailand. Compare Thailand Car Rental

    Reasonable rates compared to some of the others.
    A Deplorable Bitter Clinger

  4. #4
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    Dead Metal's Avatar
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    The best start you can give yourself is purchase the, " DK, Eyewitness Travel, Thailand" book.
    Amazon £13:45.
    I would not be without this book, worth every penny. Best of luck with your travels in the LOS

  5. #5
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    Thanks Necron99, no interest in busting the gut to drive 7 hrs. Pak Chong sounds O.K for a stop maybe?

    Boon Mee, yep, they are pretty competetive and deliver as well, waiting for a firm quote now.

    Dead Metal, looked at DK Travel guide, the reviews all say its crap.

  6. #6
    Lord of Swine
    Necron99's Avatar
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    I'd probably go to Nakhon Ratchisima if you want a stop overnight.
    Plenty of resorts long the highway around there.
    Lunch and some photos at the dam. Big gold Buddha on the hill.

  7. #7
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    Just looking at Khorat now. Looks good. Anyone recommend a hotel? Anyone recommend anything to see/do ?

  8. #8
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    Udon Thani is a must see and well worth going a little West for





































    Move in for the kill now Nige

  9. #9
    loob lor geezer
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    Just past Korat heading north there is a town called Pimai to the right of the road ( about 20k off it ) that has some of the most famous Khmer ruins in Thailand.
    ( Prasart Hin Pimai ) Well worth the detour.

    Korat is a big city but the town centre still has its original moat and a small piece of wall preserved. Plenty of hotels for an overnight stop.

    In Khon Kaen there is a big lake with lots of restaurants around it also a moderatly interesting museum.

  10. #10
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    Nice try Dillinger

  11. #11
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    Thanks Bangyai, Those ruins look like its worth checking out.

  12. #12
    I am in Jail

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    Last time we were in Korat we stayed at the Sima Thani... typical over-the-top-looking but just OK hotel... fun for the kid in the elevator iirc... and definitely go and wai Mae Yamo while in Korat... suggest a move to Phimai for a second night in the area. Lots of delicious food in Korat...

  13. #13
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    Thanks mao say dung, Looked at Sima Thani on the net, bit pricy I thought. Staying in Phimai for a night seems like a good idea.

  14. #14
    splendid and tremendous
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    ^ Try the Siri Hotel. Reasonably priced and fairly central. Although there's a whole lot of nothing in downtown Korat.

  15. #15
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    ^ Thanks Slap, I not really on a tight budget or anything, but I like to stay central, park the car and go have a drink. I have found really good places around 1000 baht up.

    The Siri Hotel fits the bill.

  16. #16
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    It's worth going to Pattaya to rent a car from Graham Taylor. I've always had great vehicles from his firm. I haven't used him for a few years and the website says it is "western owned". If he is still there, you can rely on him. The website is

    Pattaya Rent a Car - Cheap Car Hire in Pattaya

    He is the only guy I would trust to rent a car from. If he is not there, you'll have to take your chance with any number of Thailand's "Mickey Mousers".

    Book in advance by email after having ensured that he is still in charge.
    Why can't I make new posts?

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
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    Apologies for following up my own post. The website has changed and the firm is now owned by a guy called Shane. It may still be good but I cannot recommend it. Graham was brilliant.

    Bangkok to Khon Kaen is not an epic journey and there is not a great deal to see en route. I would recommend getting to Khon Kaen as early as possible and exploring the region up as far as Nong Khai ( my favourite place ). Lots to see up there and beautiful scenery with relatively quiet roads.

  18. #18
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    ^ Thanks can123. Nong Khai added to list along with Pak Chong and Phimai.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Fondles's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dead Metal View Post
    The best start you can give yourself is purchase the, " DK, Eyewitness Travel, Thailand" book.
    Amazon £13:45.
    I would not be without this book, worth every penny. Best of luck with your travels in the LOS
    Quote Originally Posted by Chang yai View Post

    Dead Metal, looked at DK Travel guide, the reviews all say its crap.


  20. #20
    Thailand Expat nedwalk's Avatar
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    in KK I,m quite partial to the BLUES BAR for a bit of sport, and the PULLMAN for tucker and some yummy buckets of beer..ERIC,S bar for brekky is good

  21. #21
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    I've used Fastcarhire (post #3) - it seemed arse-backwards using a UK firm to hire a car in Thailand.
    But, they bettered any rate offered locally and delivered/picked-up from the condo in Patong.
    No problems whatsoever.
    Last edited by Evilbaz; 22-07-2013 at 05:53 PM.

  22. #22
    I am not a cat
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    Quote Originally Posted by nedwalk View Post
    in KK I,m quite partial to the BLUES BAR for a bit of sport, and the PULLMAN for tucker and some yummy buckets of beer..ERIC,S bar for brekky is good
    Was in the pullman at Khon Kaen a couple of weeks ago. The food in the pullman was actually pretty damn good. Mixed concept -like 4 restaurant merged into one - which I though would herald disaster, but no. Pretty good indeed. Nice braised lamb shank. Excellent.

    Bonus is of course is that its a microbrewery, so a not bad beer to wash it down with....

  23. #23
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    Last I was in KK I stayed at the Kosa. Cool Nightclub adjoing if your into that, and heaps of Really good lookers. However, I had something nasty for breakfast the day I flew to Bangers. I ended up in the shitter on the plane as it was landing, and, man, it was coming out of both ends. The hostess was a bit concerned, and was joking "you drink too mut last night". They ended up putting me in a wheelchair and I disembarked via the rear doors in an elevator thingy and was escorted straight throuigh to baggage collection. By then I was starting to come good, and 1.5 hours later I was drinking beer in a bar in Jomtien. It was onestly the most violent arse explosive gaseous illness I have ever had, but I obviously expelled it from my body. I think they just reheat those sausages over and over for days on end.

  24. #24
    better looking than Ned
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    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap View Post
    ^ Try the Siri Hotel. Reasonably priced and fairly central. Although there's a whole lot of nothing in downtown Korat.
    I was there the other night had a excellent steak, then hit a club with wall to wall pussy with a party foam cannon, naked women, even had a 24 hour steak house and massage place.
    Korat rocks compared to Khon kaen

  25. #25
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by can123 View Post
    Bangkok to Khon Kaen is not an epic journey and there is not a great deal to see en route.
    Agreed.

    It's a wasteland (unless you like farms) full of awful driving baan noks and speed traps (you'll hit at least 3 maybe 4 on your way to KK). Treat the girlfriend and fly,..... you'll have a safe journey.

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