In the Beginning....... Now turned 60, I can look back on a long association with Thailand going back 24 years yet apart from memories there is so little physical record of my adventures remaining. Less than 2 months ago I made a new acquaintance, like minded and available to set off with me exploring. Coincidentally I had only just started developing webpages and that provided an opportunity to finally put pen to paper. However, at first the direction of travel was dictated by family matters. We would first travel to Pak Chong where we could say overnight with family.
Gateway to Isan........Pak Chong is in Nakhon Ratchasima province 153 kilometres from Bangkok. It lies on highway 2 which feeds Thailand's (Isaan) northeastern provinces. It also heads the pass through the Sankambeng mountain range, hence its name Chong (pass). Located at the southwestern edge of the province it can be regarded as the gateway to the Northeast due to its command the Korat plateau. Its position is also ideal for dairy farming; some would prefer to call it cattle ranching but it's unique in Thailand.
Cooling Off!.......As a relief from the heat, Pak Chong has become a centre of tourism due to its altitude and proximity to Khao Yai National Park thus becoming a magnet for city folk from Bangkok. Understandably it doesn't have the backpacker' flavour and most hotels and resorts are up-market.
Day 1, 29 January - Pak Chong
Departure....... We departed bangkok and arrived at Pak Chong where we are collected. The plan is to take some time off and visit local attractions in the morning. We had diner at the Rimthan Inn Hotel, a quite pleasant dining experience by a mountain stream a cut above the norm for me. It also occurred to me that not so many European tourists arrive here as the poor girl serving my drink received a less than approving reaction as she tried to put ice in my glass of red wine! Apart from that amusement it was all good so far.
Day 2, 30 January - Bangok
Wild West in the East........Arriving at the Thongsomboon Club I am treated to the spectacle of covered wagons, saloon bars, rodeos, BBQ's and all the trappings of the Wild West. If I had been in the Wild West, I think I could relate to it, but I guess it keeps the punters happy.
Milk right on track........On a separate visit I get a peek around Chok Chai dairy farm which also manages to cash in on the novelty. This is easy to locate on the main highway before the town. However, I spend a couple of hours at Pak Chong railway station realising that the routing of the line here was the reason this town exists. Then after an interesting day it's back to Bangkok by passenger van, today's excursions covering only Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Gateway to Isan........Pak Chong is in Nakhon Ratchasima province 153 kilometres from Bangkok. It lies on highway 2 which feeds Thailand's (Isaan) northeastern provinces. It also heads the pass through the Sankambeng mountain range, hence its name Chong (pass). Located at the southwestern edge of the province it can be regarded as the gateway to the Northeast due to its command the Korat plateau. Its position is also ideal for dairy farming; some would prefer to call it cattle ranching but it's unique in Thailand.
Cooling Off!.......As a relief from the heat, Pak Chong has become a centre of tourism due to its altitude and proximity to Khao Yai National Park thus becoming a magnet for city folk from Bangkok. Understandably it doesn't have the backpacker' flavour and most hotels and resorts are up-market.
Day 1, 29 January - Pak Chong
Departure....... We departed bangkok and arrived at Pak Chong where we are collected. The plan is to take some time off and visit local attractions in the morning. We had diner at the Rimthan Inn Hotel, a quite pleasant dining experience by a mountain stream a cut above the norm for me. It also occurred to me that not so many European tourists arrive here as the poor girl serving my drink received a less than approving reaction as she tried to put ice in my glass of red wine! Apart from that amusement it was all good so far.
Day 2, 30 January - Bangok
Wild West in the East........Arriving at the Thongsomboon Club I am treated to the spectacle of covered wagons, saloon bars, rodeos, BBQ's and all the trappings of the Wild West. If I had been in the Wild West, I think I could relate to it, but I guess it keeps the punters happy.
Milk right on track........On a separate visit I get a peek around Chok Chai dairy farm which also manages to cash in on the novelty. This is easy to locate on the main highway before the town. However, I spend a couple of hours at Pak Chong railway station realising that the routing of the line here was the reason this town exists. Then after an interesting day it's back to Bangkok by passenger van, today's excursions covering only Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Thongsomboon Club, Pak Chong District
Chokchai Steak House, Farm Chokchai,
Pak Chong Province
Farm Chokchai, Pak Chong District