travelling the north east

[Reaper_gfx]

so cut the long story short starting to get a rough idea for my next trip.

 

the idea is as follows

 

1 week trip to patts followed by a week of exploring up north followed by another week in patts.

 

now the bit in the middle about going north is the bit im unsure of. without having done the research into how much of a plausable idea it might be want to gauge some sort of idea if i should just bin this or do some research into it.

 

so basically it would entail jumping on a flight up to udon thani either hiring a bike or just making my way around using available transport to diffrent parts spend a few days looking around parks, temples, have a few drinks then up stix and head further north, north east before catching a flight back down to patts.

 

this would most likley be a solo trip aswell

 

(but then if a bar girl was intrested in the idea of getting out of the bar for a week all expenses paid trip north, however i wouldnt be able to plan that into the equation so ill stick to for the moment keeping it solo)

 

so has anyone done this, or anyone able to point my in the right direction.

 

im aware that there is a significant saftey concern from mossies to snakes too breaking down in the middle of nowhere with little understanding of the thai language apart from the common words heard in bars. but again this would go down to planning to help reduce the risks involved.

 

 

cheers for any info/suggestions.

[swagman]

so cut the long story short starting to get a rough idea for my next trip.

 

the idea is as follows

 

1 week trip to patts followed by a week of exploring up north followed by another week in patts.

 

now the bit in the middle about going north is the bit im unsure of. without having done the research into how much of a plausable idea it might be want to gauge some sort of idea if i should just bin this or do some research into it.

 

so basically it would entail jumping on a flight up to udon thani either hiring a bike or just making my way around using available transport to diffrent parts spend a few days looking around parks, temples, have a few drinks then up stix and head further north, north east before catching a flight back down to patts.

 

this would most likley be a solo trip aswell

 

(but then if a bar girl was intrested in the idea of getting out of the bar for a week all expenses paid trip north, however i wouldnt be able to plan that into the equation so ill stick to for the moment keeping it solo)

 

so has anyone done this, or anyone able to point my in the right direction.

 

im aware that there is a significant saftey concern from mossies to snakes too breaking down in the middle of nowhere with little understanding of the thai language apart from the common words heard in bars. but again this would go down to planning to help reduce the risks involved.

 

 

cheers for any info/suggestions.

 

Well I first went around like that with a mate, which was well, I'll call it ok - but not really much fun to be honest.

The next time my mate & I took a BG each with us, & the verdict this time....Bloody Great!

 

These girls (from Soi 8) were worth their weight in gold (not much then by the size of em) We found taking a girl with us solved the many problems of Lingo & buying/getting things done Thai Price.

Also, a BG is a lot of fun to be with when a quiet place (you might perhaps be passing through for just one night) shuts up all it's doors, I'm sure you'll think of something!!!

 

I also found that if your allready with some company idiots tend to leave you alone.

A BG though may well want you to do a detour to visit her village, but I'm sure you know that's not really such a wise move to make.

 

If you are going alone (which I did a few times the next year) stick to the larger Towns/Cities as these places have more culture, better hotels, better food & (in the cities) will offer many more things to see & do.

Also, you will be less of a target for money scams than out in the 'sticks'

 

For example, I was on my own around Issan for a few weeks & stopped for a few nights in Yasothon town. The first night I found a disco by asking the Tuk-Tuk driver outside the hotel.

At first I couldn't believe my luck, the music was all British 'Two-Tone' - stuff I loved ten years prior...& straight away I was up bouncing to it on the floor (showing them how I thought it shoud be done LoL) great stuff

 

After a few songs I was sweating cobs so sat down for a drink, it was then I noticed that everybody around me was sort of saying "cheers" or holding up fag packets as if to say thanks.

I just smiled back & finished my first beer, then the waitress came over with the bill....B800! WTF!?! It traspired many Thais had brought a drink & put it on my bill (how thoughtfull)

As luck(?) would have it I just had it on me. I was the only Falang in the place-or indeed the town, so what can do?

 

I believe that would not of happened if I had taken a BG with me, or could perhaps with the help of a BG maybe of had some recourse.

 

So I'd say if you do end up going on your own stick to the big cities & take a good guide book.

 

BTW, If you're in Patt's the first week I'll put down a 'Tenner' (£10) that no matter how well intentioned you may be on the plane... you'll not get chance or time for this little sojourn!

Edited May 8, 2011 by swagman

[Reaper_gfx]

ha cheers for that.

 

at the moment its still in the thought process along with doing a week in china/japan but doing a trip up north just seems more affordable in the budgeting sense

 

needless to say i got alot of time on my hands to plan out which ever decision i aim to go for

 

and yes im well aware of the plans dont usually mix with patts but kinda hoping after my first trip all my plans went out the window, second trip some plans did work out so hopefully third time things start to happen. but you will still probally make a tenner from it

 

cheers

 

steve

[LRanger]

I'd recommend going up to Chiang Mai area before Udon/Issan. CM is mountainous and lots of interesting places. Much of Issan is flat rice-field country so do a bit of research first. Udon is OK.

 

If I had 3 weeks (and I just did) I would have 2 weeks in Pattaya plus 1 week in Pattaya. Then again I have been around Thailand and up country Issan on several occasions...

[Reaper_gfx]

to be honest part of the reson i want to go have a look up north is to go with the lies of going out to thailand, its a bit of a game really with the family of finding excuses on why to go.

 

but then a part of me is actually really intrested about going up north wheter its to explore, see how much diffrent everything is to pattaya see something that havent been created just for tourists. so on so forth

 

basically the trip would probally look something like this give or take a few destination obviously

 

Udon thani -> loei -> phetchabun -> Nakhon Sawan -> lop buri -> bangkok -> pattaya.

 

wheter it happens is a diffrent kettle of fish but there might be a post asking to borrow some pictures from up north

[layow]

to be honest part of the reson i want to go have a look up north is to go with the lies of going out to thailand, its a bit of a game really with the family of finding excuses on why to go. but then a part of me is actually really intrested about going up north wheter its to explore, see how much diffrent everything is to pattaya see something that havent been created just for tourists. so on so forth basically the trip would probally look something like this give or take a few destination obviously Udon thani -> loei -> phetchabun -> Nakhon Sawan -> lop buri -> bangkok -> pattaya. wheter it happens is a diffrent kettle of fish but there might be a post asking to borrow some pictures from up north

 

 

Lived in udon for 2 + mths all up and 1.5 years in loei, and been that route to Bkk on a bike,

give me a pm if you want to know

where the more "interesting" places are should you be lonely.

 

udon has its own forum "udon map" for more info about it

 

Done quite bit great fun, pity i had my cbr400rr stolen before i got the chance and had to do my touring on my scoot!

 

Imo its better on your own, you do stuff, meet people, see things you never would with company.

Of course it makes it easier, but less of an adventure.

[swagman]

to be honest part of the reson i want to go have a look up north is to go with the lies of going out to thailand, its a bit of a game really with the family of finding excuses on why to go.

 

but then a part of me is actually really intrested about going up north wheter its to explore, see how much diffrent everything is to pattaya see something that havent been created just for tourists. so on so forth

 

basically the trip would probally look something like this give or take a few destination obviously

 

Udon thani -> loei -> phetchabun -> Nakhon Sawan -> lop buri -> bangkok -> pattaya.

 

wheter it happens is a diffrent kettle of fish but there might be a post asking to borrow some pictures from up north

 

Please don't think that I'm in the least bit trying to dictate to you in any fashion at all And others may well know better than me.

But I can recommend Lopburi - the town with a Million wild little monkeys everywhere!

Ayuttaha - even if temples ain't your thing these are pretty damn good for one day.

Chang Mai - has P4P a plenty in many bars,(a much smaller Pattaya) stunning high mountians around it that are great for a M/Cycle ride & very good hotels with cool pools.

Chang Rai ( in the far north) is really for serious back packer types who F**king hate mongers!. You know, the sort who get all excited over a pile of old bricks in a field.

Nakhon Sawan is famed (honestly) for being the most unfriendly place in S/E Asia! It has a Rice & a Chilli festival - for me, I think I'd avoid the bordem of the place.

Loei has some nice scenery but that's about it.

 

Can I once again say these veiws only reflect my own thoughts & are not meant in anyway to be taken as statements of fact.

 

Hope you have fun wherever you chose to go!

Edited May 10, 2011 by swagman

[Reaper_gfx]

Please don't think that I'm in the least bit trying to dictate to you in any fashion at all And others may well know better than me.

But I can recommend Lopburi - the town with a Million wild little monkeys everywhere!

Ayuttaha - even if temples ain't your thing these are pretty damn good for one day.

Chang Mai - has P4P a plenty in many bars,(a much smaller Pattaya) stunning high mountians around it that are great for a M/Cycle ride & very good hotels with oool pools.

Chang Rai ( in the far north) is really for serious back packer types who F**king hate mongers!. You know, the sort who get all excited over a pile of old bricks in a field.

Nakhon Sawan is famed (honestly) for being the most unfriendly place in S/E Asia! It has a Rice & a Chilli festival - for me, I think I'd avoid the bordem of the place.

Loei has some nice scenery but that's about it.

 

Can I once again say these veiws only reflect my own thoughts & are not meant in anyway to be taken as statements of fact.

 

Hope you have fun wherever you chose to go!

 

 

 

other peoples views/experiences are exactly what im looking for thanks for the heads up on nakhon sawan. my return trip isnt planned till atleast june/july/ so as you can see i have plenty of time to do the leg work

 

chang rai might sound fun if i take a bar girl with me, maybe we could look at some bricks or stones

 

chang mai, for some reason at the moment with all the deaths of tourists i might miss it,but might do it if i dont end up taking a girl with me for some company.

[moon71]

It's been said already but i have to say, CHIANG MAI best thailand holiday ever. It was like returning straight back to my first ever holiday to thailand but with experience. 1 week Pattaya, 1 week Chiang Mai, 1 week Pattaya, and maybe like me, you will wish you had more time in Chiang Mai.

 

Went in October, never met the mossy's, it's cool season. Romantic too. Has soooooooooo much ti offer, if you want a different holiday.

 

Wherever you go, a tour guide will be needed. They can be best hired in Pattaya. They'll love it, and you! They still have to be paid their daily rate.

 

Honestly, i will visit other thai cities in good time, but after seeing Pattaya multiple times, Koh Samet and Koh Chang and Penang (malaysia), Buriram, most of all i will remember Chiang Mai. Hiring a tuk tuk man for 500baht everyday (including tip), he'll zip you around for most the day from place to place. Doi Suthep, you will need a taxi.

 

And if you take my advice, spend a tenner on amazon.com and buy "groovy map chiang mai", thats all you will need to get around. It's all on a fold out map.

 

CHIANG MAI best holiday ever.

[Big Casino]

Been to Khon Kaen a few times plus Nong Khai, Udon, loei etc and had great time. Hired car last year and glad I hired 4 x 4 as all the good sights are down shit roads. Roads between towns, cities are fantastic mostly dual carriageway with plenty of 7 elevens, tin roadside cafes etc. Good bars plus pussy bars in Nong Khai and Khon Kaen. Went through three police roadblocks never got stopped once even though I had my 200baht folded into licence at the ready.

My secret. Had Thai GF with me the first time, never travel without one now.

 

Big Casino.

[korat9]

Buriram is nice place to spend few days, if you are in the area stop by.

you can find information about buriram province here:

http://www.buriramexpats.com/

 

Have a nice trip.

Edited May 12, 2011 by korat9

[Reaper_gfx]

cheers for the info guys, ill start doing my own research into it as it seems more plausable now, will probally have a few more questions closer to the time but its still a good 12 months off.

 

cheers

 

Steve.

[Freeze]

I just purchased this clam on Amazon. Pattaya ain't mentioned anywhere in the text - WHY?

 

http://www.amazon.co...05633399&sr=8-1

Edited May 17, 2011 by frozen man

[swagman]

I just purchased this clam on Amazon. Pattaya ain't mentioned anywhere in the text - WHY?

 

http://www.amazon.co...05633399&sr=8-1

 

My mate & I brought the 'Yellow Bible' with us on our fisrt trip back in1990. It pretty much got left in the suitcase after the second day.

 

Why? Well we found the whole ethos of that book from cover to cover seemed to proclaim the marvels of traveling around what is to many perhaps the most horny part of the world....

Lots of excited talk about travelling all day only to eat at a tatty noodle stall next to a heap of purportedly ancient stones in the middle of bloody nowhere.

 

All done of course without ever satisfying any of those carnel desires all men have. In short it seemed to say that sexy fun should be Didn't bring it with us the second time.

 

Well that was our understanding of it!

[CDMG]

Doing the same trip in October

 

3 days (patt) 10 days (udon thani w/ friends I met) 3 days (bangkok)

 

Do I need to reconstruct my timeline or keep it the same.