| With the now excellent condition of the Korat | | | | monks - and certainly less visited. |
| Highway, the gateway to the Isaan region of | | | | The term Isaan not only describes the people of |
| Thailand has become a viable weekend destination | | | | this area but also the whole cultural range of food, |
| without the onset of traffic foul ups (excluding | | | | architecture etc.. and is derived from the Sanskrit |
| the annual pilgrimage to the Surin elephant round | | | | name for the Mon-Khmer kingdom of ISANA . |
| up and any over-publicized eclipse). | | | | this kingdom flourished in the pre-Angkor days |
| For the uninitiated, Nakhon Ratchasima - Korat's | | | | and the remaining Lao-Khmer language and dialect |
| easier, eh?, is exactly 250km from Bangkok and | | | | of Isaan reflects that influence. The many temple |
| was created by merging of the towns of | | | | features left by the Khmers include shrines in |
| Khorakapura and Sema. This split personality still | | | | Surin, Buriram and up to the famous Wat That |
| exists with the newer downtown area half of the | | | | Phanom on the Laos/Thai border, with Angkor |
| city being within the city moats to the east. Korat | | | | wat being the grand daddy of them all in the |
| is still a transient town with its major tourist | | | | south. |
| purpose being the stopover for a visit to the | | | | The Isaan food is notably more pungent than the |
| Khmer ruins at Phimai. | | | | rest of the kingdom with such peppery dishes as |
| Enroute travellers will wish to take in Pakchong | | | | som tam and kai yang being amongst the more |
| for the dairy and beef farms, PakThong Chai for | | | | known culinary delights. Glutinous rice is also a |
| its fine silk weaving and even Khao Yai National | | | | mainstay of the Isaan culture. |
| Park for the long weekenders. Just before Korat | | | | Even the music of Isaan rings a distinctive tone |
| is the pottery village of Lan Kwian so there is | | | | with instruments like the reed and pipes of the |
| plenty to keep the cross section of interest alive. | | | | Kaen and the pin sung, three stringed lute. The |
| However, Phimai is the real destination. The 12th | | | | Luuk Tung (children of the fields) song form is the |
| century Khmer shrine really is a mini version of | | | | popular rhythmic singing of the North East and is |
| Angkor Wat. It’s not really small which should | | | | really the equivalent of country music in Thailand. |
| give one an idea of the size of its big brother | | | | It really has no connection to the classical music |
| across the border in Cambodia. | | | | found outside of the Isaan plateau. |
| It is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand | | | | Thailands best silk comes from Isaan with Korat |
| and has been magnificently restored and | | | | and Roi Et being the most renowned. Even so, |
| preserved as a historical park. Sound and light | | | | the special "mud mee" silk product of Khon Kaen |
| shows are now commonplace and the TAT have | | | | is worthwhile for those with an interest in |
| a regular schedule for interested parties. Loi | | | | weaving and fabric manufacture. As with Khao |
| Krathong is not surprisingly the better show and it | | | | Yai, a visit to Khon Kaen really involves an |
| is already rivaling Sukhothai for its spectacular | | | | extended weekend visit with Korat as the |
| performance. | | | | mainstay, but the university town has much to |
| The now famous Phimai boat races also take | | | | offer with its lakeside venue and national museum |
| place at this time . A visit to the river in central | | | | which includes ceramics from Baan Chiang. This |
| Phimai town will also allow one a view of the Sai | | | | provides a good alternative to making the full |
| Ngam or beautiful Banyan Tree. It is the largest | | | | drive to the archaelogical site at Udon Thani. |
| Banyan in Thailand and provides 15000 square | | | | The diversity of not only Isaan but of a simple |
| feet of shade for those wanting to picnic or | | | | weekend trip to Korat is obvious and its quite |
| simply rest awhile. | | | | affordable. Major Hotels in Korat can be found at |
| An interesting side trip enroute to Phimai is Prasat | | | | around bht 1800 per night and for those on a |
| Phanomwan an un-restored temple but as | | | | budget, clean and comfortable 2 stars can be had |
| impressive as Phimai itself , although on a smaller | | | | at around bht 800. If traveling all the way to Khon |
| scale. The bonus is that by visiting the temple, a | | | | Kaen, be sure to check out the Sofitel, even if |
| short 10km sidetrip from Highway 2 between | | | | only for drinks. It's the new pride and joy of the |
| Korat and Phimai, one is able to pass through the | | | | town and an excellent place to relax after a hot |
| knife making villages of Ban Long Thong and | | | | day in the field. |
| BaanMakha as well as find a wat with resident | | | | |