around issan north east Thailand

Issan – Northeastern Thailand
Isarn may be the least visited by tourists and yet may be the most culturally rewarding area to tour. The regions history is heavily flavored by the Lao and Khmer cultures. Issan has numerous national parks for forest treking and nature studies.

Recent archaeological finds have included a bronze age settlement east of Udorn Thani, dinosaur fossils west of Khon Kaen and petroglyphs near Ubon Ratchathani.
Khmer style ruins near Buriram and Pimai (north of Korat) are not as spectacular as Siam Reap, but can provide a relaxing day trip without incurring the expense and time of a trip to Cambodia.

“. . .without question the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in southeast Asia.”

“. . .the centre of a remarkable phenomenon of human cultural, social, and technological evolution. . .” source: University of Pennsylvania Ban Chiang Home Page

As many things in life, the revelation of Ban Chiang started as a accident. In 1966 Steven Young was wandering around a small village in Northeastern Thailand when he tripped on a tree root and fell. On the ground he saw rings, which turned out to be pottery shards. Further investigation revealed more fragments which had been revealed by gradual erosion.

One prime attraction for the traveler is the price of accommodations in Issan. Nakorn Phanom has a 3-4 star hotel that overlooks the Mekong with a rack rate of BT 850. Good guest houses in Nong Khai for Bt 250. Tourist class hotels in Mukduhan for BT 600. Issan is a travel bargain.
Issan Food
Northeastern food is famous throughout Thailand. Roast chicken, papaya salad, sticky rice, and Issan sausages top the list; but that only scratches the cullinary surface of the Northeast. Hope that you are lucky and sweet mangoes are in season when you visit. Sliced and served with sweet coconut cream … yum!

Issan Highlights
Ban Chiang
” Considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in southeast Asia, Ban Chiang was the centre of a remarkable phenomenon of human cultural, social and technological evolution. The site presents the earliest evidence of farming in the region and of the manufacture and use of metals.” source: UNESCO.

Khon Kaen
Ubolrat Dam is about 50 km northwest of the city. It was near the dam where a geological team looking for uranium found dinosaurs instead. Phu Wiang National Park has the largest and best preserved fossils.

Pimai
Historical Park in Phimai town in Nakorn Ratchasima, also called Korat, is considered an important ruin from the Khmer period. It is built of sandstone and dates to the 16th Buddhist century [current is the 25th].

Phanom Rung
Streched across the top of a mountain in Buriram, this Hindu shrine to Shiva dates to Thailand’s Lop Buri period. Experts believe that Buddhists added to the site. Excellently preserved columns, doorways, and lintels tell a story of Hindu gods.

Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Province has even more natural attractions. Cliff drawings near the Mekong river are 3000 years old, cave drawings, mushroom shaped rock formations and beautiful waterfalls in expansive national parks.

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irish clock photo album udon thani thailand

hi there if you have photos of your udon thani and our irish clock holiday and travels and would like to show them on the internet attache them to your email and send them to me at hxjohn.96981@uploads.photobucket.com
look forward to hearing from you regards john

breakfast at the Irish clock udon thani Thailand

breakfast at the Irish clock udon thani Thailand is always guaranteed to get you on a good footing for the day this particular day i sat down with a plan for my day getting out of bed early was the first part OK i made that then a good feed yes the plan is on track until i get a telephone call halfway throw my breakfast
my mate as a day and night pass as is wife is out of town so off course he wont’s to see the sights of udon thani after a 3 day drinking session i don’t really feel like it but as he does not drink himself i finish up and meet him in the Internet shop over the road from the petrol station not far from the complex Irish clock direction
30 baht a hour very high speed worth 10 baht extra
anyways my quiet plan for today is soon on the rocks as another friend turns up and slowly but surely after a couple of hours post lunch we are on the tiger beer love the stuff but 4 days in yuk
so if you plan to have a quiet breakfast in udon thani don’t plan too far ahead you never know what going to unfold but most of all enjoy your stay

short stay at the irish clock udon thani

after a few hot days in the boonies of issan i need some t.l.c so a short stay at the Irish clock is in order as i check in and get to my room right in the middle of the action as my friend points out
the rooms are great plenty of space to chill out lets bang the air con on and unpack followed buy a cold shower and shave ok where ready for a day out in udon thani at least i should get a decent nights sleep tonight
the wireless Internet in the clock is very useful and the speed is decent OK not fast as to watch youtube streaming but still able to do my online banking and emails
iam going to enjoy my stay here

christmas lunch irish clock

Christmas lunch sounds like it was a another great success at the clock the place was packed solid last year when i made it for lunch i must admit i hate that much i had a small nap latter on in the day but Alas this year i could not make it but there is always next time ps happy new year for 2009 below photo from last year 07/08

thanks again nicko the guy here from ban dung can really play sounds very good i would like to be able to play myself but iam all fingers an thumbs issan music even mowlam grows on you the wife as it on all day and night here at home

Irish clock food is restaurant quality combined with good service
Steve and mail the hosts have been in the business for quiet a few years and you can see why
When you place a order for food your safe knowing your going to get a good feed
http://udonthani.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=19

big thanks to nicko http://www.laosfriendship.com/ for makeing some great local movies of thailand and laos keep up the good work regards john http://www.udonthani.co.uk/
udon thani issan and ban dung are great places to be over the last few years there as been a massive influx to the local area of expats from all over the world

ban dung photo album

ban dung udon thani province

to find out a little bit more about thailand even if you live here i like this choice of books well i would its my choice

half of the books i have read the others i will do one day when the wife stops nagging me http://www.udonthani.co.uk/udon_thani_bookstore.html