Thailand Travel Notes

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. October 14, 2008

JANUARY 19, 2007. Welcome to the year 2007. We are planning an exciting year ahead. Working with the travel trade and members of the travel media, we intend to introduce a variety of attractive destinations and activities that will make Thailand irresistible.

In this, our first newsletter of the year, we are focusing on a few provinces in the Northeast, a region of Thailand called Isan. The Isan region is rich in natural wonders and cultural delights, but it is a section of Thailand that isn't visited much by U.S. visitors.

We also want to let you know that the second Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Laos opened just before the Christmas holiday, on December 20th. We are already seeing tourists who are coming first to Thailand, and then traveling by highway and bridge across the Mekong and on to Vietnam.

How about you see for yourself on your next trip? We hope you are inspired to try the new routes out. Contact us directly and we'll help you coordinate your next visit to Thailand, gateway to Southeast Asia.

SOFT ADVENTURES FOR TRAVELERS

Soft adventures are the kind of trips that take you off the beaten path, but you don't have to hang off the side of a cliff or wrestle with tigers to fully enjoy the experience. Improved roads and domestic airports across Thailand are making it a new center for the adventurous among world travelers that want to see unspoiled wilderness and remote beauty, but spend the night in world-standard accommodations when night falls.

If you want to know more, meet us at the Adventures in Travel Expo in Chicago January 27 through 28. We will be in Booth # 621 at the Expo. We can help you plan everything from exploring natural wonders to arranging community home stays, rock climbs, bird watching safaris, rafting trips.

MUKDAHAN - A NEW GATEWAY TO THE MEKONG COUNTRIES

Mukdahan is a peaceful Thai province located on the bank of the Mekhong River, opposite Savannakhet, the second largest city in Lao. The new bridge connecting the two is making this area a major new motor gateway for those who want to explore Thailand, Laos, and even Vietnam by car or bus.

Mukdahan is currently one of four border checkpoints to Lao and is a major gateway to tourism in Lao and Vietnam. The new Thai - Lao Bridge has facilitated the tourists traveling between the 2 countries.

For the nature and soft adventure lover on the Thailand side of the bridge, trekking in nearby Mukdahan National Park is at the top of every list. For culture lovers, there are shrines to Catholic martyrs and Buddhist holy sites. For the material girls and boys, try shopping at the Indochine Market, a one-stop shopping for products from Vietnam, China, Lao, Cambodia and Thailand offering a different shopping experience.

A UNIQUE FUSION OF THAI AND LAOTIAN ARTS AND CULTURES

Situated on the bank of the Mekhong River across from Tha Khek in Laos, Nakhon Phanom offers panoramic vistas of the river set against the rugged Laotian mountains. Temples and stupas abound in the area. Phra That Phanom is the most visited religious site, estimated to be 1,500 years old. The Chedi at Phra That Phanom, built in Laotian style and standing over 50 meters high, is a beautiful centerpiece with a spire decorated with 11 kilograms of pure gold.

If you wish to cross to the other side of the river, a trip by ferry to Tha Khek will bring you to a trading outpost that retains its original French architecture. Try a day trip to the outpost and sip a cup of genuine French coffee with your fresh French bread sandwich, before heading back to Thailand for a sumptuous northeastern Thai dinner.

GATEWAY TO VEITIANNE, THE CAPITAL OF LAO

Situated on the stretch of the Mekhong River where the borders of Thailand and Laos meet, Nong Khai offers a panoramic view of the river and Lao on the opposite shore, and serves as the gateway to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Nong Khai is famous for its renowned large seated Buddha - Phra Sai at Wat Pho Chai. Buddha image sitting cross-legged, which was cast from bright yellow gold in the posture of subduing Mara.

Other attractions include Phra That Nong Khai, an old chedi that slipped into the river in 1847 and can now only be seen completely in the dry season and Sala Kaeo Ku, a bizarre sculpture garden packed with statues of Shiva, Vishnu and Buddha as well as many other figures from Hindu and Thai culture.

For those who wish to go for an overland trip to Vientiane, there are shuttle bus services from Nong Khai to the Laotian check point. From the check point, taxis are available to Vientiane which is just 20 kilometers away.

MEDITATION AND ENCHANTMENT

Situated in the upper northeast, Sakon Nakhon is on the Phu Phan mountain range and has many forest temple retreats for meditation. Tourists can enjoy classes on Buddhism and practice meditation. The museums of Phra Archan Man Phurithatto, Achan Fan Acharo and Achan Wan Uttamo also provide some historical background on the region and its famous monks.

Phu Phan National Park is also famous and well worth a visit. Inside the park, are three different types of forests, limestone mountain, beautiful water sources, grass field, steep cliff or to watch several species of animal in the park such as birds, wild elephants, monkeys, barking deer and wild pigs.

Ban Kut Na Kham Arts and Crafts Center features a revival of ancient, almost lost, arts and crafts. Bring back home few pieces of earthenware and home decorative items to remind you this unforgettable destination.

NORTHEASTERN CUISINE

If you are headed into Thailand's northeaster provinces, come prepared for a different cuisine. Thai cuisine is known for its balance of five fundamental flavors in each dish or the overall meal - hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty and bitter (optional).

Put these Isan dishes on your do-not-miss list:

o Som Tam - grated papaya salad, pounded with a mortar and pestle. Som tam plara is among the popular som tam in the north eastern part of Thailnd, with salted gourami fish, white eggplants, fish sauce and long bean.

o Larb - sour salads containing meat, onions, chilies, roasted rice powder and garnished with mint.

o Nam Tok - made with beef and identical to larb, except that the beef is cut into thin strips rather than minced.

o Yam - any type of sour salad, such as those made with glass noodles (Yam Wun Sen), or with seafood (Yam Talae).

o Tom saep - Northeastern-style hot & sour soup

o Gai Yang - marinated, grilled chicken

Come with an open mind and you will go home with smile to introduce friends and family to the delights of Isan cooking.