Khon Kaen

**Propagator** · 03-09-2008, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by Rigger

I was in there a few nights ago and amazed to see the whole street has changed with more bars popping up each week.

Shall be there in about 8 weeks and will update the thread then.

**Spin** · 03-09-2008, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by Rigger

I was in there a few nights ago and amazed to see the whole street has changed with more bars popping up each week.

Did you see the place call "Soda Bar" opposite Eric's? I popped in there yesterday and they got some hot chicks working in there. took a few phone numbers.

**Propagator** · 03-09-2008, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by Spin

Did you see the place call "Soda Bar" opposite Eric's?

Has that changed hands again? Probably about the third time in 3 years. I like sitting outside at Erics and watch the tottie going into that place. Just looking mind you

**Rigger** · 03-09-2008, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Spin

I popped in there yesterday and they got some hot chicks working in there. took a few phone numbers.

Should of called me, I could of come down to help you write the numbers down

**peterpan** · 03-09-2008, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by Spin

. took a few phone numbers.

You into Phone sex Spin ? I will Pm you mine, happy to talk dirty to you, for a couple of free beers.

**Propagator** · 08-12-2008, 04:52 AM

As I was holed up in Khon Kaen due to the airport takeover I was hoping that I would be delayed long enough to get photos of this.

This is an annual festival held in front of the Government Housess in Khon Kaen. It lasts for about 10 days, usually from the last Sat in Nov and the first week of December. It is sometimes called Phuk Sieo. It is supposed to be centred on the local silk industry and there are performances of Morlam music and a big parade for the opening day.

As I didn't know when I was going to fly, this first set of pictures was taken on the Thursday prior to the opening and the parade on Saturday. This first picture shows one of the entrances to the festival. Free at the time I took this but when the festival starts it is 10 baht to get in.

This is a view down one of the many sois that are being prepared for the market, some had arrived early, set up and were trading, but most were still in the process of getting ready. It is hard to imagine but come Saturday, the middle of these roads are all filled with various stalls, food, drinks and most other things that you can think off. Awnings are fitted between the stalls from one side of the road to the other, offering at least a covered walkway.

On this picture you can see the marking in the road for the centre stalls, one either side of the centre line.

**Propagator** · 08-12-2008, 06:09 AM

From here I wandered on the the main parade ground, and was fortunate in seeing a number of the schools practising for their part in the opening parade

This group here were the ones that would bring to centre piece to the stage in the opening parade, as will be seen later

More to follow

**Propagator** · 09-12-2008, 09:15 PM

Still stranded for the Saturday so now a few pictures of the parade. It was a hot day and a number of the kids passed out. The parade started at Fairy Plaza and then went up to the Goverment buildings, probably no more than about 2 kms. Unfortunately it was very badly organised, including the stopping of traffic to let the parade through. Halfway along they had a judging area where each, school or group in the parade, had to do their piece for about ten minutes so this caused a massive backlog etc. It took way over 3 hours for them to pass where I was at the corner of the Kaen Inn. Heres some of the photos.

One of the schools marching bands

There were a number of highly decorated floats

More photos to follow

**Propagator** · 09-12-2008, 11:34 PM

More photos of the parade

**Loombucket** · 11-12-2008, 05:34 AM

Nice update to a jolly good thread Props. I haven't made it to Khon Kaen yet, passed through it on the bus or train a few times though. Nice photos, thanks for sharing.

**Propagator** · 11-12-2008, 05:50 AM

Thanks LB, few more snaps to go in of the Silk Fair yet - then a few random shots from around the town.

**Propagator** · 16-12-2008, 08:17 PM

Final photos of the parade and of the fair.

These were taken at the Goverment house grounds during the opening ceremony.

After the fair was officially opened it was a matter of clearing the ground area of the local dignataries seating a awnings, this weas done by the Thai Navy. To be replaced by loads of small stalls selling all manner of food. Various displays then happened throughout the evening on the separte stages set up around the grounds.

The place was packed, as were the beer tents set up by singha and some nice looking serving wenches. Unfortunately the batteries on the camera went so no pictures of these

A small temple in the grounds

A display of drum playing - very good as well

All the fun of the fair for the kiddies (and some grown ups). Plenty of rides and about a dozen of these bust the balloon stalls

This one was a good earner for the owner. The object was to scoop a fish into the little plastic bucket. For how ever many baht you are given a scoop(s) comprising of a tissue supported between wires. Now to get yer fish, I stood for about 15 mins watching this and never saw anyone successful, as can be seen the stallholder looks happy

A very interesting fair, but was really crowded. It goes on for about ten days and in the evening is packed. All manner of stalls, food to houseware, tatooing to drinking a good day out

I might have a couple of short videos of the fair which I will add later, once I have downloaded and edited them.

Kiwi_Refugee · 10-01-2009, 03:06 PM

ive only been to Khon Kaen once back in 97, loved the place. will go back one day. thanks for the photos everyone

**Propagator** · 15-04-2009, 07:50 PM

As most of you know most major towns and cities have usually one 'roundabout' or 'island' with a host of flowers and pictures of the King and Queen, or of some local hero. Not to be outdone Khon Kaen has a large island area, which when I was there last was tastefully planted, and with seats to rest and take in the sights.... Still have to run the gauntlet of getting across the traffic to it.

A small Chinese Thai shrine

and much larger Thai one

Buying flowers etc to make merit

On one corner of this island is the local fire station, so for Terry57's benifit a couple of pictures of the place

**Propagator** · 06-06-2009, 07:43 PM

Back in Khon Kaen again during May so continued my out and abouts round the Province and visited Pattaya 2. No not the lust laden city on the Eastern coast of Thailand, Pattaya 2 is the complete opposite of its infamous namesake.

Pattaya Song (2) is on the western shores of Ubon Ratani Reservoir, in the province of Khon Kaen. To get there you need to travel west on Highway 12 towards Chum Phae, after about 40 kms you come to Nong Rua (denoted by a sculpture of a Dinasour) and it is here you hang a right along road 2038 to Phu Wiang about another 30kms. Here you will see a sign for Pattaya 2 and you hang another right and continue driving. With a bit of luck, after passing through a number of small villages and another 40 mins of driving you should arrive on the West side of the reservoir at Pattaya 2.

photos to follow - forgot to upload them

**Propagator** · 06-06-2009, 08:34 PM

When you arrive you will find a large nuber of Thai eateries ranged along the the front of the lake, and some covered parking for your car (no charge). You can stop there and eat or go another 150 yards down to the waters edge

It stall amazes me that the Thai are so lazy and will not walk that extra little distance but have to take their cars right down to the waters edge and leave them baking in the hot sun.

At the waterside deckchairs (4) with umbrellas and mats are set out with a charge of 20 baht per day

Mainly a weekend destination for the Thai and families with water rides for the kids etc

The food was good and if memory serves me correctly, was about 600 baht for a kilo of prawns, a fish tom yam, couple of other dishes, rice, 2 Large Leos and a soft drink. As mentioned before the restaurants were some way from the waters edge and the waitresses were ferried to and fro on motorcycles, riding sidesaddle and with no spillage

Whilst we were there the local temple was raising funds by walking along the beach and doing a little dance for all. This one gave a good shimmy for me, laughing all the time

and off they departed to snare another family

Couple more pictures here. This one looking North toward the the dam

Looking South

and from one of the restaurants

A nice way to spend a relaxed day out.

**Rural Surin** · 06-06-2009, 09:38 PM

This thread continues to shine, Prop. Cheers.

**a. boozer** · 07-06-2009, 09:23 AM

Propagator; Well done, some interesting reading and some good photographs. There is always something and somewhere to learn about in LOS.

**Propagator** · 11-06-2009, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

This thread continues to shine, Prop. Cheers

Originally Posted by a. boozer

Propagator; Well done, some interesting reading and some good photographs

Thanks - makes it worth doing when one has positive comments

**Propagator** · 11-06-2009, 03:35 AM

No not the one in Samui, this one is on the shores of Ubol Ratana Dam.

To get there take Highway 2 from Khon Kaen heading towards Udon Thani. After about 28 kms you need to hang a left on to the 2109 road which is marked to Ubol Ratana Dam. Keep going for around another 20 kms where you will see signs for the entrance to the Dam. About 1 kms before that you hang another left and see the first glimpse of the Wat.

For the edumacted amongst you here is the Google earth picture, with bearings and where the Wat is denoted by the untitled placemark

Here is a picture of the building seen directly in the middle of the above

A little further along the road you get your first good sight of the Wat

Now there was no way that I was going to walk up them steps (Rumoured about 1500 feet up) so drove the car up to the top

Undeneath the Buddha is a temple with a monk in attendance passing out the blessings

The girls with me got splashed with water and then the string tied on the wrist, which had to be removed after 3 days

It was then outside to ring the big bell overlooking the valley

and finally the group picture of the visit

**Propagator** · 11-06-2009, 04:40 AM

Da bells, da bells

**Loombucket** · 13-06-2009, 09:54 PM

Great stuff Props, please keep it coming.

**Fabian** · 14-06-2009, 08:51 PM

Oh yes, that temple. Lot of fun to walk the steps in the sun only to realize when you arrive on top that there is a road going up too.

**BenDoverMax** · 15-06-2009, 09:06 PM

met a girl in phuket... from kokgnam 8 km nth ban fang khon kaen.

wants me to come see village... from your pics, may go and see this place.

send pics of her soon...

**BenDoverMax** · 15-06-2009, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by Propagator

No not the one in Samui, this one is on the shores of Ubol Ratana Dam.

and finally the group picture of the visit

max likes the one on the left.......

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