Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Mukdahan: Sleepy City on the Banks of the Mekong River Alright, buckle up for a wild ride to Mukdahan, Thailand’s best-kept secret that’s so secret, even Google Maps sometimes forgets it exists. This sleepy riverside gem along the Mekong is like that quirky cousin who shows up to the family reunion with a mullet and a pet lizard. It's charming in its own bizarre way, but you’re not entirely sure why you’re here. Let’s break down the what, where, and why of Mukdahan with a healthy dose of sass and zero chill. First off, Mukdahan is the lovechild of Thailand and Laos, perched on the Mekong River with a front-row view of Savannakhet, Laos, across the water. It’s got this whole “gateway to Indochina” vibe, which sounds fancy until you realize it mostly means a lot of trucks hauling goods over the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. The town’s got history. It was founded over 200 years ago during the Ayutthaya period, and it’s home to eight ethnic groups who somehow coexist without starting a ...

Side Trip to That Phanom: The Sacred, The Spiritual, and the Spectacular Oh, you’re looking to extend your trip and dive even deeper into the enigmatic side of northeast Thailand? Well, you’re in luck because just an hour or so from Nakhon Phanom, you’ll find the town of That Phanom. This is the kind of place that’ll make you wonder if there’s some secret spiritual energy flowing through the Mekong River. Spoiler: There probably is, but it’s mostly in the form of ancient temples, strong vibes, and maybe even a few ghostly stories if you’re in the right place at the right time. So let’s pack up our spiritual gear, get a little zen (or a little spooky), and head to That Phanom. Here’s everything you need to know about this side trip. How to Get There: Not Far, but Definitely Worth It Getting to That Phanom from Nakhon Phanom is super easy. It’s close, but not so close that you can walk (unless you want to get very adventurous and potentially meet some locals who might be concerned abou...

Nakhon Phanom: The Place Where the Mekong Hopefully Meets Your Expectations (and Maybe a Few Ghosts) Welcome to Nakhon Phanom, one of Thailand’s more mysterious provinces. Nestled along the Mekong River in northeastern Thailand, this charming yet slightly eerie town is definitely one of those places you either love or think, “Wait, is this a ghost town?!” But hey, if you’re tired of the typical Thai tourist traps and want to experience a quieter, more “magical” side of the country (and I use the term magical loosely), Nakhon Phanom is calling your name. Don’t expect luxury, don’t expect crowding, and, honestly, don’t expect anything too touristy. What you will get is a deeply local, riverside vibe with just the right amount of weird. So buckle up for the slow boat ride of your life, both metaphorically and literally. How to Get There By Bus Oh, you want to get here via bus? Sure, it’s possible, but you’ve got to get to the Mo Chit Terminal in Bangkok and take a ride that’ll have you ...