Nestled along the Mekong River in the distant reaches of northeastern Thailand (aka Isaan) Mukdahan is perhaps best known as the place to catch a bus to Savannakhet in Laos, or if coming from there, onwards to Thailand’s must-see destinations. Yet this provincial capital city of 50,000 is one of our favourite low-key Isaan cities, … read the full post

Best known for its ancient Khmer ruins, the laidback northeastern Thai town of Phimai is also home to one of Thailand’s spookier sights: Sai Ngam banyan tree grove. Sai Ngam feels like the setting for a twisted horror film where the trees come alive and strangle unsuspecting passersby, and locals believe it’s home to potent … read the full post

Thailand’s Isaan region has been occupied since at least 6,000 years ago, when hunter gatherer tribes first migrated over the Phetchabun ranges from central Thailand, archeological work at such sites as Ban Non Wat in the Mun Valley in Khorat, Nok Nok Tha in Khon Kaen and Udon’s Ban Chiang has shown. Fertile valleys such … read the full post

Covering some 160,000 square kilometres, the northeastern region of Thailand, I-san*, accounts for nearly a third of the kingdom’s surface area and includes 20 provinces with a total population of approximately 22 million. Geographically and still to a large extent culturally, I-san possesses a unique identity distinct from that of Central, Northern and Southern Thailand. … read the full post

Nestled in a remote, mountainous region near the Cambodia border in eastern Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, Pang Sida national park is less accessible than Khao Yai immediately to the west, but is equally stunning. Pang Sida is also far less touristy; show up on a weekday and there’s a good chance you’ll be sharing the … read the full post

I’ve seen more than a few of Thailand’s waterfalls. Some are disappointing, others live up to expectations, and still others surprise, but it will take something very special to upstage Chet Sao Noi waterfall north of the town of Muak Lek in the Khao Yai region as my favourite. It’s not Thailand’s tallest, widest, or … read the full post

One of the founding fathers of the Thai Forest Buddhist Tradition, Ajahn Mun Bhuridato (1870-1949) revitalised Buddhism in Thailand by living in a way that reflected the historical Buddha’s lifestyle as closely as possible, and many believe enlightenment to have been his reward. Throughout his years, Ajahn Mun wandered in untouched jungles while devoting himself … read the full post

The rural Chaiyaphum area in northeast Thailand boasts rolling green hills, cool air, and some of Thailand’s finest natural beauty. Despite this, few foreign tourists make it here due to the region’s remoteness and difficulty of reaching, but if you’ve got your own wheels (or aren’t afraid to spend a little cash to do something … read the full post

It’s not quite up there with Tuscany, Bordeaux or Napa, but Thailand’s Khao Yai wine region (aka “Asoke Valley”) in the cool air of Muak Lek near Khao Yai national park offers some refined varietals from a handful of vineyards peppered among family farms, country roads, green hills and fields of sunflowers. Most foreign travellers … read the full post

When seeking mountains in Thailand, most automatically head for distant northern destinations like Chiang Rai and Pai, but many are unaware of just how stunning the Khao Yai mountains northeast of Bangkok actually are. Not limited within the borders of Khao Yai national park alone, this vast region boasts some jaw-dropping scenery, which we enjoyed on … read the full post