A boner of a long weekend in Surin

[Bonecollector]

First port of call was our 'banana factory' on my wife's land, will probably never build on it as only 1 rai and I'll need at least 2 rai distance from my mother in law, joke. Still, the bananas keep the tax man away. I shitted our neighbor right up 20months ago regarding a crack down on vacant land tax, guy spent 100K clearing his land and is about to grow some serious crop, chok dee

Drive from Bangkok was a breeze for a Friday. We sometimes leave at 5am but we got pretty caked last night so decided to go after rush hour. Stupidly forgot to turn left onto route 6 to take the new elevated highway... Shame as the view over the lake there will be better than on the way back....I don't think I can get onto it either from route 24. Route 24 is such a nice drive as well, made up about 20mins.

Then onto the hotel and a lukewarm shower as its a little chilly here. Currently relaxing with a beer on the windy roof terrace, will head for a drink somewhere later and fill you in if it at all got exciting.

[Bonecollector]

We walked the streets to the bar area, had a beer along the way with this guy called P Karb.

Made it in one piece to FatBoyd, lively

[Bonecollector]

That was definitely the place to be as far as I could tell, good music, atmosphere and characters. Its called



Walked back to the hotel amused

sssssssssssaki long time

[Edmond]

#buzzing

[Mendip]

Stupidly forgot to turn left onto route 6 to take the new elevated highway... Shame as the view over the lake there will be better than on the way back...

You don't get a very good view of Lamtakong from the elevated highway because the side walls of the road are too high, maybe deliberately so to stop drivers gawking? And that's in a Vigo... in a normal saloon I doubt you'd see anything at all. If you're not driving you can get the occasional glimpse of the late out the back of the car where the highway curves and winds a bit. At the north end of the lake you see nothing at all as the M6 has a kind of screen fencing, the purpose of which I'm not sure. Maybe a wind break?

When the high speed rail link is finished the views will be spectacular from the train.

[Happy As Larry]

#buzzing

I work in Surin and that's one of the reasons I go down to Korat for 'excitement'

Mendip doesn't know how lucky he is.

[DrWilly]

I work in Surin and that's one of the reasons I go down to Korat for 'excitement'

Mendip doesn't know how lucky he is.

he’s a moaning Brit, I wouldn’t worry about him.

[Edmond]

Fair to say that most expats recall two things about Surin.

1. Reading about an elephant festival in a guide book.
2. One of their first trysts with a LBFM.


Summer of 2006.
Lil 5 foot nothing Nang. A bit older at age 28.
Spicy nightclub.
Yaba.
First ever A2M, screaming Thank you Buddha, Thank you Buddha.


Never did make it to the elephant festival.... missing out?

[Happy As Larry]

Never did make it to the elephant festival.... missing out?

Not in my opinion. Kids might enjoy it seeing all the elephants.
Doesn't appear to draw as many non-Thais as in the past.
A friend's wife was quite badly injured by one of the elephants a number of years ago
The nightly concerts, very popular with the local youth now appear to take place without the violence of yesterday.

The wife and kids go every year to have fun on the rides and at the stalls

[Bonecollector]

Thanks for the tip Mendy, I will avoid going out of my way though. It's pretty good though because now the road under the highway is totally clear aside from P Bigs in the slow lane; I seriously boosted that part.

I am liking the balance of replies on this thread already, keep it up.

[Neverna]

At the north end of the lake you see nothing at all as the M6 has a kind of screen fencing, the purpose of which I'm not sure. Maybe a wind break?

If it's what and where I think you mean, Mendip, it's actually there to prevent things being thrown into the prison (drugs, weapons, keys, whatever), which is located below.

[Mendip]

^ That's interesting Nev, I would have never guessed that.

[Bonecollector]

Started our day by feeding my aunties dogs and my aunties 1rai mhak plantation



We then headed south in search of Prasat Ta Kwai and Prasat Ta Muean. Once you come off 224 the road is pretty good with suspiciously well placed tire puncher holes and various military check points. We enjoyed having a little chat with each guard and all were great guys, Lots of M16 A1's locked and loaded, definitely ready and professional.

Weird situation with fox holes either side of the narrow pathway to the temple. They take your picture and details at the first guard and then the guard takes another picture at the temple. There are a couple Thai and Cambodian army border regiment personnel in a constant face off at the temple. We enjoyed talking to both sets of guards. The Cambodian guard with the dog was an absolute champion.

Prasat Ta Kwai


The dog preferred the Cambodians, so, ownership dispute...case closed? wouldn't you agree Mendy?

Prasat Ta Muean


We then made our way back via



Got back, drank some beers, smoked a spliff and had some burgers at Junkies Burgers. Really pleased for this couple, I first had their burgers when they were just a small shop about 5years ago and now they have a new bigger location and partnered with a craft beer bar next door. So nice to see a success story and these guys are forever smiling, good for them.

Junkies Burger




A few more random pics



Pic of the day

Dong Man, ohhhhh yeahhhhhh



Good day, days I can't and won't ever have in the UK, treasure this country and its experiences greatly.

[Bonecollector]

Another fun filled day, Went to the Surin National Museum. We seem to go every time we come, it has some great information on the archeological and anthropological history of Surin and the ethnic groups which inhabit the area. The main ethnic groups are Khmer, Lao and Kuy. My wife is proudly Khmer and more specifically she would be known in Cambodia as Northern Khmer.

Drove around looking at land, its definitely harder than you think to find nice plots and the local Thai Chinese are always lying in wait!

Had some chicken in the car for lunch.



Then went to the silver 'market' to buy a ring for my daughter which I spied last time I was in town.

We had been dreaming of a decent massage and we found just that at Leelawadee which I would highly recommend, came out feeling much better. Back to my aunties place for some beers and smoke beneath her Mhak with the sunset and dogs. Had a very uneventful MK and did two rounds of the park. Any city in Thailand that has a shitty park should take a lesson from Surin, free bikes to use, walking track, running track, cycling track, in and outdoor gym etc great parking as well.



Very nice weekend, great place and great people!

[Neverna]

Looking good, Boney.

[DrWilly]

Superb! How long are you in Surin for?

[david44]

Not one to break confidences but I think 6 months with remission for good behave her

[Bonecollector]

Thanks Nev

Leaving tomorrow morning and off to U Thong for a night as I have a favourite restaurant there and a small hike we can do.

[Joe 90]

Cool thread BC!

[MarilynMonroe]

Nice pics, BC.. very green! Surin sounds awesome for outdoor activities.

[Reg Dingle]

What kind of a fucking Walloper flies to the other side of the world to holiday in Isarn?

[Joe 90]

Lovely looking dog BC!

[Bonecollector]

Krap pom Marilyn and Joe

The dogs name is Panda, she is blind in one eye as she got sprayed by a cobra. The black and white dog is JJ and the brown dog is Pepsi

Each to his own Reg, I'd rather not see any tourists and my wife has a nice collection of friends and family in Surin so.....

[Bonecollector]

Stopped by Phanom Rung on the way back, a really nice temple complex with this massive staircase up to the main building. Make sure you enter/ park at Gate 1.



and that's about the size of it. Surin is definitely worth a visit if you are driving. Over a dozen temples in the immediate area and a few other things to do but mostly outdoor activities. Its definitely a great idea to get out to these smaller provincial cities as the people are interesting, each with a few unique traits.

[39TG]

What kind of a fucking Walloper flies to the other side of the world to holiday in Isarn?

Me, I recently did. I will even eventually spend around half the year there when I'm retired. I even spent a week in a farmhouse in Sisaket with no hot water in the bathroom. You get used to it.