How to Travel Around Isaan Thailand - Some useful tips!

 Isaan is the largest region in Thailand. It is located in the Northeastern region of the country and is a collection of 20 provinces. It is also bordered by the Mekong River along the Laos-Thailand border. Do travel to Isan if given the opportunity, which is quite off the beaten path and unlike other parts of the country!

anonymous, Songthaew 3, CC BY-SA 2.5

 What to expect travelling in Isaan 

 Isaan, unlike other regions of Thailand, doesn’t hold much tourist infrastructure. So, if you are travelling from the major cities in Thailand, it will be quite a shock to witness the sparsity of amenities and the smaller attractions. Another thing to keep in mind is that English isn’t as commonly spoken in this region as in other tourist-centric areas. There will be very few foreign travellers, if at all. So, you will have the privilege of having the attractions all to yourself. 

 Have your transport

 Isaan is a region best explored on your terms, and for this, having your transport ready will make discovering the place so much easier and fun. To truly get out and see everything the region has to offer, rent a bike, motorbike or car and drive everywhere. Of course, there will be taxis available, but in certain areas, taxis and public transport can be rare or have long waits. So, the best way not to get stranded is to have your ride.

Public Transport/Taxi costs 

Public transport is also a means of travel – you can try travelling by northern and eastern trains or buses to get to places like Pimai, Mukdahan, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani. One can travel a good portion of Isaan by public transportation as well. The buses travel from city to city. However, vans and songthaews can reach the interiors of the small villages. The routes from Loei to Phu Ruea can be traversed on a songthaew. It is also the best way to engage with the locals, you get to share your ride with friendly locals and perhaps practice some Thai or English along the journey.  

In the event you can’t arrange your transport, taxis and tuk-tuks can still get you around efficiently. Instead of hiring a lot of drivers, try to get hold of one who you think will make a good companion show you around while you are there. Many of the national parks and historical sites are far away from the city, so a way to cut costs is to enlist one driver for the duration of your trip. If travelling with others, one can easily share the costs of the rides. However, most taxis and tuk-tuks will have standard fare, depending on the distances you travel.

 Pre-booking is unnecessary 

In Isaan, you won’t find many tourists, so there is hardly any competition when it comes to accommodation and public transport. So, you don’t have to book all your accommodations and buses and trains. For example, a hotel in Khon Kaen Thailand such as the Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre might be a viable option to stay and explore. Guesthouses are also common and can be located via a quick search. 

 Get help from ex-pats 

Quite a few ex-pats live in Isaan, such as English teachers. So, if you need some help, advice, or company for that matter, to show you around the local scene try via Couchsurfing to locate someone who could help you out. Isaan is a very big region, so do plan out your itinerary, or at least have an idea of where you want to go and how you want to get there before embarking on your adventure.