History buffs visiting Udon Thani should make a beeline for the excellent Ban Chiang National Museum. The museum showcases the remarkable discoveries that have been made in this area and explains the story of the excavations in Ban Chiang which have … [Read more...]
Enjoy Isaan Hospitality at Ban Chiang Community, Udon Thani
With the gentlest of touches the third piece of white string is tied to my wrist. "Khaw hai chok dee na ka" the elegant Thai auntie says before adding, "khaw hai kaeng raeng na ka" as we exchange wais. Immaculately dressed in the traditional … [Read more...]
Sabai Sabai in Khao Yai
There are plenty of choices for people looking to escape the bustle of Bangkok for a few days. Drive two or three hours in any direction from the Thai capital and you can experience a real contrast to life in the big city. Head south to hit up the … [Read more...]
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
The tempting aroma of som tam and grilled chicken wafts across the park. Children clutch colourful balloons and the infectious sound of mor lam folk music fills the air. Perched precariously on top of hand carts, archaic sound systems blast out the … [Read more...]
Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom
The holiest stupa in Isaan (north-east Thailand) is a site that is revered not just by Thai Buddhists, but also by those across the Mekong River in Laos. The tower is said to contain a chest bone relic from the Lord Buddha in addition to many other … [Read more...]
St. Anna’s Church Nong Saen, Nakhon Phanom
Less than 1% of Thailand's population are Christian, so it may surprise some tourists when they see churches in Thailand. In a country where visitors are more accustomed to seeing Buddhist temples, the sight of a church stands out. St. … [Read more...]
Widow Ghosts and the Spirits of Lai Thai
Writing the recent article about Thailand's coffin ceremony for the living reminded of another unusual story I saw on Thai television a few years ago. The Thai reporter was investigating the folklore in parts of north and north-eastern Thailand which … [Read more...]
Surin Elephant Round-Up
The Surin elephant round-up is an annual event which usually takes place over the third weekend in November. The elephant round-up has grown in popularity since it first began in the 1950s and nowadays thousands attend the event in Surin in … [Read more...]
Isaan Rocket Festivals
The north-east of Thailand, a region known as Isaan, has traditionally been a pre-dominantly rural farming area and it is this region that holds one of Thailand's more unusual festivals every May. In particular, the town of Yasothon has become … [Read more...]
Preah Vihear Temple
The Khmer ruins of the Preah Vihear Temple (also known as Khao Phra Viharn) are located on top of a cliff on the Thai-Cambodian border approximately 220 kilometres to the south-east of Surin. Construction of the temple is believed to have taken place … [Read more...]
