The Isan Region in Thailand's Northeast is the largest region in the country but remains relatively unexplored by travelers. In April 2015 we spent 8 days exploring the region. Part 1 covers Bangkok, Kabinburi, Korat and Prasat Phimai.

1. Thailand's Isan
Region
Part 1 of 4
Bangkok, Kabinburi,
Phimai
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Steve Gillick and Mitsuru Sasaki
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2. Isan literally means
‘northeast’ and refers
to Thailand’s largest
region bordering on
Laos and Cambodia.
Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand my Associate Editor Mitsuru Sasaki and I spent
6 days exploring the region. We travelled by van from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon
Kaen, Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom and Khong Chiam, before flying back to Bangkok from
Ubon Ratchathani.
Isan responds to the "what else can we do" question from those who have already explored
the popular Bangkok to Chiang Mai route.
Steve Gillick, President,
Talking Travel/Gillick's
World

4. Water Taxis are a very popular way of travel --
using the canals of Bangkok. This is the Na Na
boat pier near Sukhumvit.

5. Rush hour on
Bangkok's water taxis

6. Taking a tuk-tuk
Dinner at the Ginlom Chom Saphan Riverfront Cafe,
literally "Eat the wind....enjoy the bridge"

7. Steamed squid with garlic and lemon, mountain
vegetable wth spicy soup- Tom Yum Kung

8. Khao San Road
Night Market

9. Dream2 Hotel in Sukhumvit- good location, very
friendly staff, very comfortable.

10. Vendors set up a mini-market while waiting for the train at
Praprong Railway Station (about 3 hours drive from Bangkok)

12. You can even buy a nice fresh rat for lunch

13. On the 'market train' to Kabinburi

14. Fresh produce in the Kabinburi Market

16. Above-Khai Ping-grilled egg: take the
yolk out--boil in spice and put back
inside.
Right-the equivalent of Chinese 100 year
old eggs.

17. Marinating fish, Kabinburi Market

18. Market vendors at Kabinburi

22. Tumeric chicken

25. After the market we visited Apai Pubhet Hospital that specializes in herbal medicines.
In the afternoon we travelled to the city of Korat.
Dinner at the Lung Pun Grill Fish Restaurant featured:
• Lon Poo--a dipping dish with vegetable and crab
• Papaya Salad with anchovies
• Duck Spicy Salad
• 1000 year old egg fried with basil
• Garlic Squid
• Papaya salad with prawns
• Rice noodle
• Sticky Rice
• Korat Noodles
In other words, we ate well thanks to Smiling Albino Tours and our guides Kob and Pop

26. Morning at the city shrine in
Korat's the Old City.

27. Adding gold leaf to the statues

29. Selling various kinds of tamarind, across the street from the shrine

30. Sweet tamarind --soooo good

31. Prasat Phimai
The Universe on
Earth
The temple layout was
based on the
mythological Mount
Meru. Many believe
Phimai served as the
model for Angkor Wat in
Cambodia.

32. Prasat Phimai is a 12th century Khmer Temple

34. Copy of the statue of King
Jayavarman VII sitting cross-
legged, silhouetted inside the
southeast Prang, or tower.

35. Carved reliefs of
holy men,
musicians, and
dancers

36. Demons throughout the complex discourage evil spirits from entering the temple

41. The Phimai National Museum

47. Lunch at the Rim Moon Restaurant

48. Sticky Rice with sausage, mushroom, salty eggs, lotus reeds, bacon, dried shrimp,
peanuts, red beans, pear and garlic. Aroy Mak! (Delicious)

49. Coconut fish cake
Tom Ka Gai--soup with
chicken, coconut and chile
paste
Crab Dumpling Hakka Style: crab
& pork with plum sauce Ssnow peas, bamboo, shrimp
Chicken, squid,mushroom

50. Mrs. Yupin, the chef/owner of
the Rim Moon Restaurant

51. Steve with Mitsuru in the background, trying to get into the
showcase with the statues, Phimai National Museum
Stay tuned for Part 2 of 4, where we visit the silk, turtle and woven mat villages