Sa Kaeo - 5 reasons to visit

[genghis61]

Showed some interest in visiting Sa Kaeo - gf's original home area, she's less than interested suggesting we can go to Chiang Mai (ha ha of course, somewhere she hasn't been before)
Doing some research at Sa Kaeo : Thailand Wonders Travel it appears she is right . . . highlights include:

• Aranyaprathet is an important trading post between Thailand/Cambodia - the town itself has little to offer
• several beautiful waterfalls
• ideal destination for nature lovers and amateur ornithologists
• many bamboo plantations and is known for bamboo furniture
• famous for producing large quantities of high quality cantaloupe melons. Cantaloupe Day is held in Aranyaprathet in early April

As I was looking at Dec/New Years, unfortunately I'd miss the melon festival! Curses.
Some of the pictures I found on Google - desolate was the first word that came to mind, followed by Siberia in the low season.

Still curious, can anyone give me five good reasons to visit - excluding the five I've quoted.

And from my search, spare a thought for this poor girl, a long way to the beach!:
I am friendly, kind, cheerful, clean, love the sea and love home coziness.
Sairung, 84536, Sa Kaeo, Thailand, Asian women, Age: 22, home coziness, High School, Customer service, badminton, Buddhism

[Thetyim]

Still curious, can anyone give me five good reasons to visit

Err......no
Stayed there a couple of times and the place is boring.
There is a place south of town where millions of bats fly out at dusk.
Ideal for anyone who likes being covered in bat shit (are you German?)

[dirtydog]

Believe your girlfriend, she is Thai and from Sa Kaeo, she knows how crap it really is.

[Bangyai]

I went camping in Bangsida National park once. Just 4 of us and only stayed 2 nights but had a memorable time. Skinny dipping under the waterfall at dusk after some hot steamy sex.....grrrrrreat. Took our own drink but food was available. Might be a bit scary for the girl though if only 2 of you and you really need your own wheels.

[dirtydog]

If there is 2 of you you really should take 2 girls, spit roasting a girl the first time I should imagine is quite a scary experience for any woman

[Sakeopete]

I live in Aranyaprathet nothing to see there except Rong Klue Market on the Thai-Cambo border. Make sure you rent a golf car its a really big place with hundreds of shops. They have cleared the beggars so you don't get hassled like a couple of years ago. BTW the cantaloupes are tasteless.

[Thetyim]

I found a trip report for Sa Kaeo and apparently the most impressive thing in town was the toilet signs in the hotel




Here's the full report if you can stay awake
Carrera To China - diary of wreckah - Page 11 - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

[toslti]

If there is 2 of you you really should take 2 girls, spit roasting a girl the first time I should imagine is quite a scary experience for any woman

Thank you DD.. where do I send the bill for the keyboard now covered in beer!!!

[sabang]

Bangsida National park

I've only driven past SK, on my way to Isaan, but there is some nice country around there. It seems the towns attractions are just border markets and casino's- and as a base for exploring some nearby national parks.

decent enough Link to some local attractions-
Khao Yai Nationalpark Thailand - Palm Garden Lodge, Prachin Buri - Hints for excursion

[Bangyai]

If there is 2 of you you really should take 2 girls, spit roasting a girl the first time I should imagine is quite a scary experience for any woman

Unless they come from Pattaya.

[Ciaphas]

There's a very big rock just outside the town where monkeys live that's worth a visit. And a part from the market and casinos that's about it. Been to a couple of waterfalls in the area wasn't very impressed.

[jizzybloke]

I've been to a few different national parks and waterfalls in SaKaeo but i only have two reasons to go there, JBird and the hooligan.

[genghis61]

I found a trip report for Sa Kaeo and apparently the most impressive thing in town was the toilet signs in the hotel




Here's the full report if you can stay awake
Carrera To China - diary of wreckah - Page 11 - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

thanks for info/pics
esp the toilet one, make a note to try #5 sometime

still unsure on the trip, plan b is to cut back from intended 7 days to maybe 3 and spend time either side somewhere a little more exciting
cheers

[genghis61]

There's a very big rock just outside the town where monkeys live that's worth a visit. And a part from the market and casinos that's about it. Been to a couple of waterfalls in the area wasn't very impressed.

we were taken to that big rock/temple area on day 2. Monkey leapt from the cliff onto gf and 4yr daughter she was carrying up the steps. Scratched her, ripped her shirt. Lots of screaming, panic, crying child. We never made it up all the steps to see the view.
Parts remoned me of Queensland - reddish dirt roads, sugar cane, eucalyptus, bananas. Good time with the family and interested in the farm, overall quite enjoyed myself, unsure long-term though.
A million miles from our Phuket lifestyle.

[Lecram]

I have ived in The Sa kaeo Township for a few years now and yes it can be quiet here, after all this is everyday Thailand in the provinces.
Sa Kaeo does have great air quality how ever and some interesting natural attractions!
Esan, Thai, Thai/Chinese and Kmher influences all mix together here and makes it a little bit different than other parts of Thailand I have visited.

It has plenty of places of interest.
The Butterfly migration at Pang Sida.
The Mountain Temple at Khao Chakan.
Water caves exist near The Khao Chakan Temple. Swimming the cave tours can be arranged.
Very interesting old Kmher and Thai Temple ruins strewn throughout the province.
The huge Rong kluea Market at the Thai / Cambodian border.
From Arranyapatet it is easy to go into Cambodia and enjoy the Casino's.
Big Bike Party ( once a year)

The people in this region are very friendly. They love an excuse for a party and often visitors are invited to atleast one local party. These parties can be small gatherings of 50 to 100 people or big lavish parties for up to 2 thousand.
So many things here to attract visitors. Going to some of the restaurants here is like a party with local musicians playing and jamming. If you are a farang muso you will be asked to play.
If Pattaya and Phuket are your thing well Sakaeo may not be for you but I suggest you pay it a visit. Yes you need to look, talk and open your eyes to find things here but you will find some great places to visit and things to do.


Celebrations here sometimes fall on different dates to other parts of the country so it is possible to celebrate the same celebration in more than one province.



[quote=genghis61;1246972]Showed some interest in visiting Sa Kaeo - gf's original home area, she's less than interested suggesting we can go to Chiang Mai (ha ha of course, somewhere she hasn't been before)

• Aranyaprathet is an important trading post between Thailand/Cambodia - the town itself has little to offer
• several beautiful waterfalls
• ideal destination for nature lovers and amateur ornithologists
• many bamboo plantations and is known for bamboo furniture
• famous for producing large quantities of high quality cantaloupe melons. Cantaloupe Day is held in Aranyaprathet in early April

As I was looking at Dec/New Years, unfortunately I'd miss the melon festival! Curses.
Some of the pictures I found on Google - desolate was the first word that came to mind, followed by Siberia in the low season.

Still curious, can anyone give me five good reasons to visit - excluding the five I've quoted.

And from my search, spare a thought for this poor girl, a long way to the beach!:
I am friendly, kind, cheerful, clean, love the sea and love home coziness.

[genghis61]

hi - giving life to an old thread . . .

we moved here at Songkran for three months. And still here, till end Jan 2011.

I've done a few threads on the area . . . and a little further afield to Chanthaburi. Back yesterday from 10 days away on the coast from Rayong/Koh Samet to Chao Lao, great beaches.

A Day At The Boat Races - Sa Kaeo style

Chanthaburi - Buddha Park at Wat Charg Yai

Chanthaburi - Laem Sing

Aranyaprathet #1 the road from Sa Kaeo

Khao Chakan, Amphur Anniversary Parade and Festival (Khao Chakan, Amphur Anniversary Parade and Festival'. [/I])

Diverse Aranyaprathet is more than just a crossing point

and posts/trip reports for:

a trip to PangSida National Park (Sakaeo Pang Sida National Park)


out west to Chachoensgao (Chachoengsao)

[dirtydog]

Sa Kaeo - Nope, still nothing there

[CaptainNemo]

My wicked witch of the east is from the extremities of those parts, and recommends this:
http://images.travelpod.com/users/jo...0.lalu_102.jpg

There is fuck all there 'tis true... unles you like Cambodian and Kuy beggers
Here's a map, anyways:
http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai...ea/map_big.jpg

Apparently, 2010 happens to be the "Visit Sa Kaeo Year"... hurry, hurry, roll up, roll up... zzzzzz

[genghis61]

seen pics of these formations but not been there, maybe 150k NE from us, long way to go for piles of clay