Finding the true Northeast

Great article in Bangkok Post - Finding the true Northeast, introducing some of Thailand's most serene and unknown heritage, natural wonders and high lights: Phimai Historical Park, Khon Kaen and Bueng Kan prvince' Wat Phu Thok and Udon Thani. Most people know Bangkok, Thailand's islands or Chiang Mai in the North, few have been exploring the more rural, laid back and relaxed Northeast, also know as Isaan, an area full of history with an abundant flora and fauna, well worth while to travel and experience.

Enjoy!

Wat Pa Khiri Wan Santi Tham วัดป่าคีรีวันสันติธรรม (วัดภูเม็ง)

Wat Pa Khiri Wan Santitham is a small Buddhist monastery in Thailand's Khon Kaen province Nong Ruea District. The monastery is beautifully situated at the foot of a small mountain range bordering Chaiyaphum province and located nearby a small water body. Only 5 monks live and mediate here permanently.

Next stop Khon Kaen

Recently I had the chance to make a stop over in Khon Kaen and spend one night in this beautiful town in the middle of Thailand's Northeast. Khon Kaen is located some 400 kilometres northeast of Bangkok in the middle of the Korat plateau. Khon Kaen is the regional Hub for Finance, Transportation and Education. The regional Silk trade as well as agriculture are important industries in this Isaan city.

Khon Kaen is one of Thailand's major cities under its National Economic and Social Plan. Khon Kaen is home to two important educational institutions: Rajamangala University and Khon Kaen University, which makes Khon Kaen the largest university town in the Northeast.

Khon Kaen Airport raised to international standards in 2005, with the opening of a new terminal. TG, Thai Airways International, operates for flights a day between Khon Kaen and Bangkok. Used to Suvarnnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Khon Kaen's airport appears to be sleepy and laid-back. Never the less, the service I experienced was of high quality and the airport is small but tidy. Two Black Canyon coffees, a few small shops and a tiny TG lounge make the time pass by quickly.

Khon Kaen city is nestled around the northeastern Highway known as Mithraphap Road ('Friendship Highway' or 'Highway 2'). This road road links Bangkok to the northeastern Isaan provinces and to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which extends to Vientiane in Laos.

Greenleaf Hydrofarm & Restaurant
Greenleaf is located on the small road linking the city of Khon Kaen to its airport. The restaurant offers a great mix of healthy Thai and Western fusion food and seems to be quite famous among the locals. The selection ranges from typical Thai curries to Mexican tacos, healthy fresh salads and superb steaks. The steaks come in a local, US and Australian version and are prepared as per the cook book. Simply delicious.


Greenleaf Hydrofarm & Restaurant, 17 Airport Road, Khon Kaen, Thailand 40000, (043) 345-565, (086) 862-3423

Rachawadee Resort & Hotel
Close to the airport located is a small, but exquisite example of Thai hospitality: Rachawadee Resort & Hotel. The resort was build in 2007 by the Somjaiwong family who's dream was to bring an oasis of tranquility and fine dining for vacationers and business travelers to their hometown of Khon Kaen. The resort's keystone is its Kinaree Restaurant which has all the popular Isaan dishes and many original creations on offer. The family friendly Rachawadee Resort is situated in a nice and lush garden with swimming pool, close to the airport, ideally positioned to spend some relaxing days in this city.

Rachawadee Resort & Hotel, Khon Kaen Airport Road, Khon Kaen, Thailand 40000, (043) 468-222, info@rachawadeehotel.com

Phimai Historical Park - Isaan's Khmer Trail

The Phimai Historical Park (Thai: ปราสาทหินพิมาย)  located in the town of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province hosts one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand.

The temple is believed to be build on the ends of an ancient Khmer highway from Angkor, nowadays Siem Reap in Cambodia, leading to the Khorat plateau.

The temple ruin area of Wat Phimai is similar in size as that of Angkor Wat. Phimai was an important temple, build in the late 11th to the late 12th century. In the same era temples as Baphuon, Bayon and Angkor were build. Interestingly, even though the Khmer were Hindu, Phimai was built as a Buddhist temple, as Buddhism in the Lao dominated Khorat area dated back to the 7th century.

The French geographer Etienne Aymonier was the first one to make an inventory of the temple in 1901. Later Phimai became a Historical Park, managed by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand. The Park was opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on April 12, 1989.

To reach Prasat Hin Phimai from the city of Khorat, head north along Highway 2 for 50 kilometers. Turn right and follow a sign to the Phimai Historical Park. 10 kilometers further down the Highway 206, you'll arrive at the town. From Khon Kaen it's about 120 kilometers south on Highway 2, take a left turn and follow Highway 206 until you reach Phimai town.