Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Kalasin: Thailand’s Dino-Obsessed, Rice-Loving, Middle-of-Nowhere Province  Kalasin is so off the radar, even Claude might shrug and say, “Kalasin who?” Tucked in the heart of Isaan, this place is like that one friend who’s super into niche hobbies, like collecting fossilized T-Rex toenails or weaving silk so fancy it’s dubbed the “Queen of Silk.” If you’re here, you’re either lost, a dinosaur nerd, just really bad at picking vacation spots, or your teerak calls it home. Let’s dive into the chaos of Kalasin with a smirk and a side of sarcasm. Why Kalasin? Why Not? Kalasin’s got roots deeper than a sauropod’s tail, stretching back to prehistoric times when dinos roamed and left their footprints for you to gawk at. Fast-forward to the Khmer Empire, it was a hotbed of temples and monuments, and by 1907, King Chulalongkorn made it an official province, probably because someone had to claim this patch of rice fields. Today, it’s a mashup of ancient vibes, ethnic  Phu Thai cul...

Why Loei Should Be Your Next “Wait, This Place Exists?” Adventure Let’s be real. When someone says “Thailand,” you think beaches, Bangkok chaos, or Chiang Mai’s temples. But have you ever heard of Loei? And how do you even pronounce that? No? Perfect. That means you’re about to discover Thailand’s most underrated province before the rest of the world ruins it with selfie sticks.   What Even Is Loei? Loei ( pronounced  “ Loeiy ” lol), is a rugged, beautiful province in Northeast Thailand ( Isaan ) that somehow mashes up Alpine vibes, Jurassic Park scenery, and small-town charm. It’s the only place in Thailand where it gets actually quite cold in winter (we’re talking 10°C, when Thais wear parkas and the government declares a cold snap emergency ).   Myth Alert : "Loei is just another boring farming town." Reality : It’s got waterfalls, canyons, and a wine region (yes, Thai wine, don’t judge till you try it - spoiler: it won't win any international wine competi...

The Ultimate Isaan Road Trip: Northeast Thailand's Hidden Treasure Thailand's northeastern region, known as Isaan, remains one of the country's most underrated destinations. Far from the beaches and tourist crowds, Isaan offers authentic culture, spectacular temples, prehistoric sites, and some of Thailand's most distinctive (and spiciest) cuisine. This 24-day road trip circuit will take you through the heart of Isaan, hitting all the major cities while creating a logical route that minimizes backtracking.  Important Note : This road trip can be customized by shortening or lengthening the trip, adding or leaving out destinations, changing the starting and/or finishing point, and by using public transport (think a mix of buses, trains, taxis/, tuk-tuks, vans, songthaews etc.) instead of doing it by car.  This is the prefect trip for those who've seen most of the central, northern and southern destinations but have hardly ever set foot in Isaan (northeastern Thailand)...

Why Sakhon Nakhon Should Be Your Next WTF (Wow That’s Fantastic) Destination Guest Contributor: The Soi Dog Whisperer   So, you’ve heard of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Yawn. But have you ever considered Sakhon Nakhon? No? Perfect, because that means you’re about to discover Thailand’s best-kept secret before the Instagram crowd ruins it.   What the Heck is Sakhon Nakhon? Sakhon Nakhon is a sleepy, charming province in Northeast Thailand ( Isaan ). It’s got lakes, temples, weirdly delicious food, and exactly zero pushy tuk-tuk drivers harassing you to see a " ping pong show ." Oh, and before you ask, no, people don’t eat dog meat here. That’s a myth (mostly). While dog meat consumption has been reported in some parts of Southeast Asia, it’s not a common thing in Sakhon Nakhon. So relax, Fido is safe (probably). How to Get There (Without Getting Lost) - By Plane : Fly into Sakhon Nakhon Airport (SNO) from Bangkok (1-hour flight, around 1,500-3,000 THB). ...

Ubon Ratchathani: Thailand’s Most Underrated City (And That’s Exactly Why You Should Go) Ubon Ratchathani. It's got a name longer than your weekend plans and a location somewhere between “Where?” and “Oh wow, that’s far.” Tucked into Thailand’s far-eastern corner near Laos, Ubon is not swarming with backpackers, beach bums, or Bangkokians escaping city life. And that, dear traveler, is precisely its charm. How to Get There (Surprisingly Easy, Mildly Dramatic) Fly : Direct flights from Bangkok, about 1–1.5 hours. Tickets hover between 1,000–1,500 THB if you book outside of Mercury retrograde. Train : 10–12 hours of clickety-clack from Bangkok. Budget-friendly and comes with bonus nostalgia. Bus : From Mo Chit Terminal in Bangkok. Budget around 500–800 THB and prepare for many snack stops and one mysterious karaoke DVD. Where to Stay (For Every Budget and Level of Back Pain) Budget Guesthouse (300–700 THB): Cozy, no-frills, often with free coffee and one surprisingly chatty ca...

Buriram: Beyond the Football and Ancient Temples Buriram, where ancient temples meet modern-day football fandom, and the traffic jams are so chill, they make Bangkok look like a Formula 1 race. Located in Thailand’s northeastern Isaan region, Buriram is often overlooked by tourists, but those in the know will tell you it’s an undiscovered gem. Oh, and did I mention Phanom Rung ? Because if you’re not planning to visit this ancient Khmer temple, are you even traveling? How to Get There (Not as Far as It Sounds) By Plane : Fly to Buriram’s small but charming airport, about 1 hour from Bangkok by plane. You can usually find a ticket for 1,000–1,500 THB. It’s a direct hit to your adventure and your What? I’m already there? moment. By Train : From Bangkok’s Aphiwat Central Monstrosity, take the 6–8 hour train ride. It’s budget-friendly, relatively comfortable, and gives you time to wonder why you didn’t bring more snacks. By Bus : 5–6 hours from Mo Chit Terminal, buses run every day. Cos...

Roi Et: The Thai City With a Big Buddha and Bigger Vibes Roi Et. No, that’s not a typo. It’s an actual city in northeast Thailand, not an IKEA product or a French cologne. Nestled in the heart of the Isaan region, Roi Et (which literally means "One Hundred and One", named so for reasons absolutely nobody remembers) is a place where the pace is slow, the temples are oversized, and the smiles are real. You may ask, “Why go to Roi Et?” And the answer is: because no one else is going. And in Thailand, that’s a blessing. How to Get There (Simple, With Varying Degrees of Suffering) By Plane : Direct flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Roi Et Airport. Takes just over an hour. Tickets usually range from 1,000–1,500 THB if the universe likes you. Or, for the hundredth time, include Roi Et in your Isaan road trip and enjoy it at a leisurely pace. Nobody's really flying there anyway. By Bus : From Bangkok’s Mo Chit Terminal. Around 8–10 hours, depending on traffic, snack stops, ...

Khon Kaen: The Heart of Isaan (and the Best Place to Eat Sticky Rice with a Side of Culture) Khon Kaen. It’s one of the major cities in Isaan (i.e. northeast Thailand), which means it’s got the hustle and bustle without the tourist traps or beach crowds. A place where som tam (spicy papaya salad) is as essential as air, and the people are friendly, laid-back, and full of humor. It’s not the most famous tourist destination in Thailand, but that’s precisely why you should go. Khon Kaen is all about local flavor, unfiltered experiences, and enough history to make you feel like an expert in ancient civilizations by the time you leave. How to Get There (Without the Drama) By Plane : Khon Kaen has its own airport with flights from Bangkok taking just over an hour. You can score a ticket for 1,000–1,500 THB if you book early enough. Air travel without the need to wonder why you’re still stuck in traffic? Yes, please. By Train : The train ride from Bangkok takes around 8–9 hours. It’s cheap...

Explosive Joy: Adventures at Thailand's Rocket Festivals When travelers visit Thailand during rocket festival season, many imagine gentle paper lanterns floating into the night sky. What a surprise awaits them! Turns out, when Thai people say "rocket festival," they mean ACTUAL ROCKETS. Not NASA-grade precision instruments, mind you, but homemade bamboo tubes packed with enough gunpowder to make your average fireworks safety inspector faint on the spot. The Bun Bang Fai festivals, as they're properly called, happen across northeastern Thailand ( Isaan region) during the pre-monsoon season. Locals launch these DIY missiles to encourage the rain gods to water their crops. Because nothing says "please send rain" like hurling explosives into the clouds. In Yasothon province, home to one of the most famous rocket festivals, visitors might notice everyone standing REALLY far back from the launch area. "Why are we standing in another postal code?" many ...