Issan guide

[foreigner]

I am a non-Thai speaker with an interest in Thai history in general
& the historical sites between Korat / Surin & Cambodia in particular.

Previously I used a guide I met at the Chiang Mai night market for a couple day trips to Mai Sai & Pai ..
he (Toi?) was educated & bi-lingual + provided a Volvo w/ driver for 3k thb per day.
best / most informative tour I have experienced.

any suggestions for a Bkk based guide for a multiday trip?
any suggestions for a Bkk based car / driver fro a multiday trip?

Issan based? I can get to Issan (train) without needing to speak Thai ..

Previously a BG "took me" to Issan .. & we hired a pickup truck at the Buri ram train station
it was histerical (not historical) comedy of errors .. she was cute & but had not a clue about much except her day rate.
+ the pickups A/C & cassette were both non-functional.
DOH!

I seek a referance for an educated Thai to take me to the historical sites + be able to inform me / discuss history / historical relevance.

I arrive july 9 for 4 weeks.
I will get a serviced apartment 'headquarters' in Bkk & then do multiday excursions to CM / Pai, Issan & Phuket.

[daveboy]

I think you might struggle explore it yourself and see what you pick up along the way could be fun. I always use thai rent a car they meet you at the airport and the price is reasonable.

[foreigner]

Thanks for the response .. but ..
I live in an extremely small town .. the 2 street lights blink after 8PM
+ I'm an old kodger with bad eyes & slow reflexes, no way I feel competent to drive in Thailand.
IMHO, Bkk taxi drivers have one of the hardest jobs on the planet

would bareback a street kethoy before I'd drive
would scuba in Klong san Saep before I'd drive
would give a BG my credit card before I'd drive
would order the hottest dish on a Thai menu before I'd drive

[Propagator]

Once you get to a place, might be worth trying one of the local travel agencies and seeing if they can help. Probably very difficult in Issaan unless in one of the major towns.

would bareback a street kethoy before I'd drive

You really don't want to drive do you

[Agent_Smith]

Previously BG "took me" to Issan .. & we hired a pickup truck at the Buri ram train station it was histerical (not historical) comedy of errors

Many of Blackgang's posts are hysterical and definitely not historical...


For a guide maybe you could scope a few language schools.

[foreigner]

Once you get to a place, might be worth trying one of the local travel agencies and seeing if they can help. Probably very difficult in Issaan unless in one of the major towns.

would bareback a street kethoy before I'd drive

You really don't want to drive do you

1st: asking at a hotel / or farang oriented bar in Buri Ram or Surin is probably the best idea.
it will leave me searching for a resource in a relatively small town ..
ok, ok .. it's part of the Thai adventure.

then...
I simply know I am not qualified to drive in Thailand.
I live in an extremely small town (5k) .. rush hour traffic is 3 cars at one of the 2 stop lights. ..
I my youth I fought big city traffic & one of my favorite amenities of living in a small town is the lack of other cars on the street.
I never recall waiting through 2 light changes to cross an intersection here.

& I do understand that 'big city' / 'better driver' farangs drive in Thailand.

just because I can doesn't mean I should.

[Rural Surin]

You might save some time and expense by basing yourself in Korat, Buriram, or Surin. The Southern 'Isaan' region is wealthy with history. You might even give Sisaket a look....bit isolated and out of the way, but historically interesting. Some universities and colleges have been known to help with contacts and pairing up perspective travellers and student or faculty guides.

[Loombucket]

What you are looking for is a Driver/Guide, who speaks enough English to make the trip enjoyable, without rambling on or needing the loo every 10Km. Preff. with own car. We are 48 Km north of Khorat (Ratisima), I will make a few enquires for you.

[Norton]

We are 48 Km north of Khorat (Ratisima)

Close to Phi Mai? Well worth a visit for foreigner.

[peterpan]

Unless there are compelling reasons to stay in BKK, GET OUT mate, Korat, KK or Udon are nice laid back places to base yourself in. I know in udon we can easily sort you out with a decent pickup and guide for pocket money, Jezus even I will work for beer and the occasional bar fine (reimbursement ) only.
As Norts said, Phi Mai is a good visit but there are many un publicized Kymer/ Thai sites in Issarn.
Another good historical site is Baan Chiang, but there are literally dozens of others around the Korat and KK area.
I just don't know why you would base yourself in BKK given your interest, there are plenty of old TD gits living around Issarn happy to help you out..

[Norton]

there are plenty of old TD gits living around Issarn happy to help you out..

Gives us something to do in the lull periods of our hectic schedules.

[foreigner]

wow!
such graciousness is goose bump inspiring!
Local beers, Thai moonshine, local grub & 2 star BGs are definitely on the table.
You guys in Issan are living the life many of us tourist posters dream of!

Sounds like Issan is home to folks that enjoy clean air & a less than fast paced schedule.
Last time I was in Bkk I sneezed under the BTS at soi 5 .. the black goop that came out of my air way was quite scary! .. & then I accidentally went to the 3rd floor of Nana!

Since 'all Thai roads (trains, buses & planes) lead to Bkk' I was thinking of a central local to rest up & regroup for a few days between excursions.
+ routine medical & dental stuff at Bangkok Hospital..

Will check out Laem Sing's sand & Pai's hippies / elephants again ..
or, is today's reality as wonderful are my (embellished?) memories of yesteryear.

[Norton]

I arrive july 9 for 4 weeks.

I am a non-Thai speaker with an interest in Thai history in general & the historical sites between Korat / Surin & Cambodia in particular.

I think spending a few days in Bangkok a good idea but given your interests you should try and find a base in the center of Isaan where you can do day trips to all parts of the region. Khonkean may well be the best choice. From there you can venture to nearly all parts of Isaan in a couple of hours. KK has the advantage of giving you a broad choice of accommodation, enough "entertainment" opportunity and you will be able to find appropriate transport and guide.

As others have said, it is not always the most popular destinations which are of greatest interest. The former Khmer and Lao kingdoms extend deep into Thailand and historical sites abound.

You will be unable to see all in four weeks. Time flies when your having fun.

[foreigner]

Eat right, exercise daily, live clean, die anyway.

but die healthy ..

found something called the farangconnection in Surin offering inexpensive hotel options
w/ tour guide w/ car for 3k Thb per day .. seems reasonable
Farang Connection, Bar, Pub and Restaurant in Surin, Thailand

are there any hotels w/ AC near Preah Vihear .. or other temples near Khorat?
2 weeks to departure ..
I must be getting old .. planning for rural LOS instead of Nana / Cowboy!

[sabang]

Suan Loong Daeng Farm Stay

This place is owned by a scandinavian/ Thai couple and is said to be nice- quite convenient to Vihear too. Is Vihear open again though? last thing i knew there were still some bullets flying there- anyhow definitely one to check out if it's open.

Resort in Ubon, Isaan, a beautiful tropical garden with bungalows and restaurant

"Farm stay is a good description of the country guesthouse. Another accurate term could be garden stay. When sitting in the open air restaurant you truly feel you are sitting in a garden. In this garden like country setting just outside of Nam Yuen on Highway 2248 you will find a perfect place for a weekend getaway.
There are several duplex bungalows and a guesthouse depending on what you want. The restaurant provides breakfast, lunch and dinner to meet your hunger needs. In the evening, or any time of day you can enjoy a cold one, pool, karaoke or relaxing quiet. There is also a swimming pool if you want to take a dip to cool off or exercise."
Suan Loong Daeng
Highway 2248 (km 13 from Nam Yuen)
Nam Yuen District
Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
Tel: 045-318160
Nok Mobile: 081-076-3257
Trond Mobile: 081-925-1620


Surin is a good base to check out central isaan, places like phanom rung and Phi mai are not far- the FC is a good base, as well as an expats hangout, but you've also got a couple of other expat pubs- N&N's (nobbys) for decent german grub abd a quiet hangout, and theres also an expat place opposite the FC. Quite a lively town is surin actually- Nobbys is on the main nightlife soi.

If you make it to Ubon, apart from vihear another worthwhile day or overnight trip is to Pha Taem national park and Khong Chiam, where the Mekhong and Mun Rivers meet. Khong Chiam has a range of accomodation, the 4* place is the Toh Sang resort- they also have a hotel in ubon city.

[foreigner]

phanom rung

A temple / site I wanted to inquire about but after several attempts to spell phanom rung I settled on

or other temples near Khorat?

Lub this forum tu mutt! What a wonderful resource.
Working on not coming off as "too gay" .. I really appreciate the input & help offered here!