3 Day Mini-Tour - Southern Isaan.

[Chairman Mao]

Jumped on the bike one early evening and head up to Phimai in Khorat.

Phimai historical park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stayed in Khru Pom guesthouse which is about 20m in front of the temple just next to the 7-11. (it's a small town). 350b per night I think.



Unfortunately the temple isn't lit up at night so no night shots. There's a massage place around the corner (the GH owner will give you directions if you speak Thai) so an oil massage for 300b, no happy endings on offer.

There's actually a really nice bar on the otherside of the 7-11, but with shit service and shit food it's a waste of a nice set up.

[Chairman Mao]

Was up at 6 so a quick jump across the street to wander in.













Somebody in town has some style.

[Chairman Mao]

Back on the bike before 7.

Morning time, Isaan:





Morning Mao.

Late afternoon, Isaan:





Evening time, Isaan:



As you can see it varies quite a lot. I still think it's a beautiful region.

[Chairman Mao]

A short 90km jaunt over to Phanom Rung in Buriram.

Phanom Rung historical park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia















Some nice vistas over the Khorat plateau that makes up the mono-topography of Isaan.

[Chairman Mao]

A nice 200km or so cruise over to the war zone.

Stopping off for some refreshments.



and took the nice empty back roads (different to the google map image) along the Cambodian border to Khao Phra Wihan Vihear, the temple the little fellas have been fighting over for the past few years

Khao Phra Wihan National Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

With the people's power back in power it's settling down again and you can enter the NP and go up to Pha Mo I Daeng cliff.

Khao Phra Wihan National Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Was a bit wet and misty up there.

Over looking the plains of N. Cambodia.







You can go down one of the cliffs to see the oldest bas-relief carving in Thailand but I couldn't be bothered.

Back on the bike for a nice stint around to Khon Kaen to meet some old friends.

Before:



After:



The plan for a 7am start to hit the mountains of Central Thailand was put on hold.

A 3pm start for the mountains of Petchabun (a must for any biker) was more suitable.

Where the flats of Isaan meet the mountains of central Thailand.





The last 100km to Lomsak is pure biking heaven.





Then down the 21 to BKK.



A highly recommended few days for anyone with 2 wheels.

[nigelandjan]

Thanks for taking the trouble CM ,, brings back memories for me ,, been to Phi Mai several times ,, allways had a chat with some English speaking Thai students there . One thing allways strikes me is coming from an overly health + saftey Country like the UK we would never be allowed in there ,, it would be roped off so we could safely view it from 300 metres away with our hard hats / hi viz and saftey boots on

[Chairman Mao]

Yup, I feel kinda bad about carving my name into one of the statues, but hey, no one was around.

[sabang]

the oldest bas-relief carving in Thailand

It's in Cambodia I tell ya.

Nice report Mao. I reckon the Isaan plateau is a great place to travel actually- cheap as chips, friendly slooow paced people, very few fierce camera toting tourists. There's a reasonable smattering of attractions too, but it's mostly just about being there and soaking up this quaint slice of Laos, and how life once was.

Is the actual Temple complex at Vihear open again?

[Chairman Mao]

The temple isn't, no. But you can view it through the Army telescope at the top of the cliffs.

Nice report Mao. I reckon the Isaan plateau is a great place to travel actually- cheap as chips, friendly slooow paced people, very few fierce camera toting tourists. There's a reasonable smattering of attractions too, but it's mostly just about being there and soaking up this quaint slice of Laos, and how life once was.

Let's not forget the quality of the local cuisine... hoi.

[The Fresh Prince]

No greenage power but great photo's! Cheers.

[sabang]

the quality of the local cuisine

Hehe. For most folk, just stick to the basics. Grilled meat & sticky rice with that nice dry chilli & lime dipping sauce, noodle soups are nice too, and some raw veg- which just comes with the meal, or maybe stir fried veg (but reduce the chilli's, garcon). The occasional farang pub is a culinary oasis too, even if it's not much good. Dessert- lomotil.

This farang has banned PlahRaah from his diet. If you're with an Isaanite, I doubt you wanna eat what they eat.

[Tickiteboo]

Nice pics Chairman, thanks for taking the trouble. The Kymer ruins look really effective in b/w - somehow makes the place seem more mysterious. I really must make the effort to visit Preah Vihear considering I live quite close and have never been, although I think I'll wait 'til they stop their squabbling so I can see all of it.

[Chairman Mao]

Have been riding in the area, so to speak, a few times over the past few years and have always been turned back at the first army check point, so cruising through and going down these previously prohibited roads was a bit exhilarating haha.

Maybe I'm just easily exhilarated though.

[Loy Toy]

Nice thread Mao, some great black and white pics there.

[Chairman Mao]

Original pics are available, starting at 15,000thb. Maybe get one put on a bucket LT, start a new range.

[The Fresh Prince]

We're still missing a few pics of the important stuff. Can't think what that would be....

[pickel]

Original pics are available, starting at 15,000thb.

I've just copied them from here and will now be selling them for 10,000 baht.

[Stinky]

Good thread and fine photos Mao

[Chairman Mao]

^ thanks.

^^ kunt.

^^^ pervert.

[terry57]

Great little road trip Mao.

Ive done phimai by using Public transport, next time I'm back I'm getting a car and checking out those back roads and mountain areas.

Cheers for the pics.

Hows the weather up there at the moment ?

[Chairman Mao]

It was all nice and blue except when going up the mountains of Khao Phra Wihan, and then Petchabun the next day.

Not gonna be half as much fun on 4 wheels, rent out something like a Versys 650.

Bikes fleet

A week for 11,000 would get ya a lot of fun going around Isaan, the North and Central mountains,

[terry57]

^

Ive done 2 tours of the North on a bike and it was awesome riding but the lack of space for carrying my shit has called game over on that.

I tend to now tour longer and in comfort with all my gear.

Just the way it is and I like it that way.

Small 3 dayers like you have done are fine though.

[Marmite the Dog]

The last 100km to Lomsak is pure biking heaven.

Indeed it is. I must do it again one day.

Nice thread.

[Mr Lick]

You probably passed within 6 kms of my pad travelling along the 12 road between KK and Lomsak. It is indeed a very scenic route when you get past Khon San and thanks for reminding me as i dont very often travel west on the 12.

Good pics CM.

[Chairman Mao]

^^ Continuing on over to P'lok is nicer than turning South at LomSak, and another great ride.

Might do that next week actually. Throwing in Sukhothai for good measure.

^ You're a lucky bastard.