Tourism is starting to pick up, but as of yet it is still a relatively untouched part of the country where you can enjoy a real taste of traditional country lifestyle in Thailand. There are some wonderful local products that you can sample in Chiang Karn. Many people love to eat khanom jeen in Chiang Karn, which is a delicious white noodle that is enjoyed with various curries on top.

At night you can head to the Walking Street which is line with all kinds of stores selling everything from local Thai sweets, to souvenirs, handicrafts, and cds. The best thing is that this walking street won’t be out to rip you off, and the friendly locals will make the experience even more enjoyable than any walking street you’ve been to in the famous tourist destinations of Thailand.

Some historic and traditional temples are also found in Chiang Karn. Some of the most famous include Wat Si Khun Muang, which has some interesting Lanna style artwork and architectural features.

Getting to Chiang Karn is easy. Simply take a bus from Mo Chit Bus Terminal and that will take you directly to Chiang Karn. The trip does take around nine or ten hours, but with a luxury VIP bus on offer, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

Another interesting source of local history is the Phu Phrabat Historical Park, which features an interesting collection of ancient cave paintings, whilst the Udon Thai Provincial Museum is also worth a visit.

Udon Thani has many intriguing surprises just waiting to be discovered. At the Udon Sunshine Orchid Garden you can see plants that actually ‘dance’ to music. These rare and interesting plants sway when exposed to loud sounds and are particularly responsive to the saxophone. Try to time your visit between November and February when the plants are at their most active.

Sanjao Pu-ja is a colourful Chinese temple located in the heart of the city. Other interesting temples to visit in the area include Wat Ban Tat, Wat Pa Ban Kho, Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok – which contains a holy footprint of the Lord Buddha – and the Buddhist park of Wat Pa Phu Kon.

Many people travel to this region to visit Wat Pa Ban Tad, which is located 16 kilometres south of Udon Thani city. This sacred temple offers visitors the opportunity to study meditation with a highly revered meditation master.

16 kilometres to the north of Udon Thani city is the weaving village of Ban Na Kha. Here you will discover people creating the unique khit patterned fabric and the pretty temple of Wat Na Ka Taewee.

There are several attractive waterfalls in the area located amongst lush forests. Among those worth visiting are the Than Ngam Waterfall, and the Yung Thong Waterfall, which is located in the striking Na Yung Nam Som Forest Park.

If you are in the area in December, look out for the Thung Si Meuang Festival, which features loud Isan music, singing and performances of the unique dragon and lion dancing.

Most of the more vibrant nightlife can be found in Bangkok, but there are also colourful options in Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and large towns. On the islands, wild beach parties and bar hopping form the main types of entertainment. It is worth remembering that most bars, restaurants and clubs have a 1 am curfew. However, there are usually one or two places around where you can continue drinking if you want.

Here is a run down on some of the types of entertainment available.

Cabaret Shows can be found in the cities and large tourist areas. This is an extremely colourful affair where dozens of stunning women dance on stage in dazzling sequin covered outfits. Thailand also offers Tiffany Shows, a own unique twist on the traditional cabaret show. Now world famous, these transvestite or ‘lady boy’ shows are extremely entertaining. The performers are stunning and the shows contain comedy and dramatic displays as well as singing and dancing.

Bangkok is by far the best place to go clubbing in Thailand. There is an incredible variety of clubs where you can dance the night away, from the classy Bed Supperclub in Sukhumvit, to the male-orientated DJ Station in Silom. Another great option is Royal City Avenue (RCA), where there are dozens of clubs and bars playing everything from Thai disco music to hardcore Drum and Bass, Hip Hop and Techno. Expect to pay a cover charge at most clubs (300 baht+) and take a photocopy of your passport for identification.

Go-Go bars can be found in most cities and large towns, especially Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. They are generally located in special areas and can be easily identified by the flashy neon signs and scantily dressed women in the doorways. In Bangkok, head for Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza or Patpong.

Karaoke Bars can be found all over Thailand. Imported from Isaan, these bars specialise in loud Isaan music, flashing coloured lights and sexily dressed women crooning on stage. Many bars also have a selection of Western songs and Westerners are welcome to sing, although be aware that a charge for this is often included in your bill.

Full Moon Parties are another Thai speciality. The most famous of these can be found on Koh Phangan, where is it so popular that they now hold a half moon party as well. Other good places to party on the beach include Koh Phi Phi and Raleigh beach. Bars usually play loud music until dawn and you can expect a selection of DJs, spectacular decorations and fire shows.

Alternatively, if you just want to take it easy, there are movie theatres all over Thailand. All show movies in English with Thai subtitles, even in small villages. When booking, make sure you ask for the ‘subtitle’ movie. A tribute to the king is played at the start of the movie, and you are expected to stand and show respect along with everyone else. The movie theatres are highly air conditioned and can be a bit chilly, so it is a good idea to take along a light jumper or jacket.

This deafening festival has its roots traced back in the mystical skies ruled by gods, as it is believed that the clouds and rain that heralds the start of the rice planting season will only come when said deities are in the mood for a little good lovin’.

And nothing gets the omnipotent rulers in the mood like a variety of explosions with the vapour trail and god height seen as a positive omen. The higher it goes, the more rain will fall on the northeast plateau bringing good fortune and a bumper rice harvest.

While the rockets compete, the crowd is entertained with comedy, often bawdy with a smattering of dirty jokes and raucous country music. It’s a genuine farming community excuse to have fun and get the planting season off to a good start. Accidents are few and far between, but as the beer and rice whisky flows, missiles may stutter, wobble or even do some low flying antics over the tents and entertainment stages.

According to the Energy Ministry, solar farms to be built on the elevated plateau of Isaan in the northeast of the country, as this flat, rice-growing land receives the majority of Thailand’s sunshine.

Both coastlines and mountainous areas tend to bring with them a higher chance of cloud coverage and Thailand is apparently leading the South-East Asian pack when it comes to the use of solar energy.

Most of the South-East Asian countries have a couple of things in common. The first is that they have very minimal budgets when it comes to promoting green technologies, and the second is that they are blessed with more than their fair share of sunshine.

And while I am certainly not one for breaking age-old traditions and modernising the few authentic parts of Thai life that remain, this one strikes me as a fool proof idea, as sometimes things have to change in order for them to stay the same.

“Naam Plaa Raa” is to Isaan cuisine what fish sauce is to Central Thailand cooking. Spicy minced pork, bamboo curry, papaya salad or hot pot, there aren’t any Isaan dishes improved by drops of fermented fish sauce. Those travellers that may have hunted down authentic Isaan food during a tour to the northeast of Thailand most likely have noticed this.

“How much Plaa Raa do you want in your papaya salad?” or “Should I add some more plaa raa sauce to your hot pot?” are questions that most visitors will be asked when visiting one of the many food stalls or small restaurants.

Downtown Khon Kaen is a great hot and spicy centre. Visitors here should visit the fresh food market, known as Bang Lampu. At the market they can see for themselves the huge amounts of catfish caught in the Ubonrat Reservoir, supplying the “plaa raa production.” Next to the fishmongers are stalls groaning under mushrooms, bamboo shoots, olives and wild berries.

Along Mittraphap Road, there’re literally hundreds of family-operated eateries, many of the establishments bearing the names of their founders, plus shacks selling roasted chicken as far as the eye can see. The roasted chicken’s secret, it is said, is the spicy dipping sauce and unique marinade. After a long swim in the marinade, which is prepared with ginger, soy sauce, coriander, garlic, black pepper and other ingredients, for about 20 minutes the chicken is laid over the glowing charcoal. A mouth-watering, golden-skinned bird is the result.

Jaew hon is the region’s version of the Japanese hot pot. You order vegetables, offal and small sets of raw meat and prepare it for yourself in the boiling broth, using dipping sauce to spice the cooked morsels.

Located opposite Khon Kaen Airport is the Green Leaf Restaurant, which is a great place to sample some Isaan fushion food. Here you should try a dinner orchestrated by spicy minced salmon, pumpkin soup, spaghetti with north-eastern sausage and fried rice mixed with jaew bong (chilli paste prepared with plenty of plaa raa sauce)

Home to three of Thailand’s top wineries – Village Farm, PB Valley and Granmonte in Nakhon Ratchasima may well be described as “Bordeaux of Thailand”. And these three wineries have just introduced a range of scintillating trips. The first took place last April but the others are scheduled for the last weekends of July and September.

 “Thailand’s Bordeaux”

Tours include: visiting the underground cellars, magnificent scenery of vines swaying in the breeze, diner at superb restaurants, and off course sampling some outstanding wines.

The next Wine Appreciation Tours take place on July 25 and September 26 and 27. Please call Sunita for detailed information. Tel: (02) 6531522 or (086) 092 0069.

Sai Thong Park’s sheer cliffs have weird names, such as “Pha Ham Hod”, which in English translates as “Shrunken Balls Cliff”. That kind of thing won’t make this park a paradisiacal destination, but if you stand at the precipice’s edge in question, the adrenaline rush is fantastic. The huge picturesque valley below with houses that resemble matchboxes against the high range’s curling backdrop.

This brilliant park deserves to be more famous, but it is in its sister’s shadow, Pa Hin Ngam National Park. Both national parks in Chaiyaphum province enjoy the reputation for boasting endless fields of Siam tulips, by the Thais called dok krajao. The more renowned Pa Hin Ngam is much more promoted, but this helps Sai Thong, because there are no crowds of campers, even during the period when the tulips bloom.

This natural environment provides one of Thailand’s most spectacular cliff-walking routes, apparently created for a smooth stroll over nearly two miles, across four fields of wildflowers and Siam tulips. 

The most ideal time to enjoy the wild blooms is in June and July. Sai Thonk National Park is located about 44 miles from Chaiyaphum. The national park features a few lodges that offer basic amenities. For an overnight stay you should bring some cooking equipment and food along. 

Sai Thong Park tourist information

Huai Huat National Park is an interesting tourist attraction in Sakon Nakhon. This park’s reservoir and waterfall creates some breathtaking scenery while at the wet season’s end pretty flowers cover the entire rock plateau. Prehistoric cave drawings can be seen here as well.  

Phra That Choeng Chum is a must-see for every visiting history buff! This historically important site has always been one of the province’s main attractions. This brick square-based plaster-covered pagoda is 24 metres tall. The gorgeous chapel features the sacred Luang Pho Ong Saen.

Located on Phu Pan mountain range tourists will appreciate Naamtok Pricha Suksan. Water from the rock plateau comes down like a slide, creating this waterfall that is suitable for a refreshing swim.

Phra That Narai Cheng Weng is a sacred Khmer temple. Ornate designs decorate this sandstone pagoda’s windows, doorway and lintel. It is believed that women built the entire structure. The temple dates back to the 16th century.

Sakon Nakhon province offers tourists many more interesting attractions such as a pottery village, the Isan Freshwater Quarium, the huge Nong Han Lake, Phu Phan National Park, several museums and arts & crafts centres.