Prasat: a short immersion in the Thai countryside of Issan

Northeastern Provinces (Isan), Surin, Travel to Thailand

For the end of year celebrations we decided to go for a trip to a region of Thailand that we know little about: Issan, this vast area of agricultural land located in the north-eastern part of the country.

More precisely, we wanted to go to the province of Ubon Ratchathani to reach the banks of the Mekong and its local "canyon" known as Sam Phan Bok, which literally means the 3 "holes", formed by the erosion of the rock facing the powerful current of the river whose level fluctuates greatly depending on the season, thus giving free rein to Mother Nature for fabulous sculptures.

Thai-countryside-road-Issan-Prasat-Surin

Back in Issan, the Thai countryside par excellence

But rather than covering the 600km separating Bangkok from Ubon Ratchathani we preferred to stop on the way. In this case in the Surin region, having a friend who runs a small resort in the area I thought it was a good opportunity to go and say hello since the last time I came, when we went to the Surin elephant festival, 4 years ago.

So we landed at the Ban Naa Cottage of my friend Alban and his dear wife (with her impeccable French) in Prasat, a small town 30km south of Surin, after 400km of road. It should be noted in passing that the entire Issan region was part of the Khmer empire (today Cambodia) and that there are therefore quite a few vestiges from this period and many Khmer-style temples spread over a large area in Thailand.

Khmer Culture in Thailand

The regional culture and language are also very influenced by this origin. Prasat, the very name of the commune is a word of Khmer origin meaning palace and which in Thailand simply designates the old Khmer buildings in general.

Stopping there for only one night this year, we won't see much apart from a brand new marble temple, built in the middle of a small village nearby. The road leading there from the main road is not yet tarmacked and the site is not yet open to the public, but the temple in question, mixing a modern Thai and old-fashioned Khmer style, has benefited from a substantial budget, sponsored among others by the crown prince himself in order to boost the attractiveness of the region.

The next day we took Route 24 towards Ubon Ratchathani but there again we did not take the shortest route!

Thai Khmer Temple-marble-Prasat-Surin-Issan-Thailand

Travel tips:

Transport:
If the car is not an option for you or if you are looking for speed, know that there is an airport in Ubon Ratchathani. Companies like Air Asia or Nok Air have daily flights. Basically, count 55 euros for a round trip from Don Muang airport (where the low-cost companies are based). Otherwise, there are of course buses, from the Mo Chit terminal in Bangkok (then count 10 hours of travel) as well as trains.

Accommodation :
At the time, we stayed at Ban Naa Cottages, run by a Frenchman (hi Alban!) and his wife (a Thai, also French-speaking and adorable), with bungalows and a small swimming pool starting at 700 baht per night. Unfortunately, the latter ended up selling (and leaving Thailand normally since he wanted to try his American dream)

So I offer you a nice alternative, Baan Thung Home Stay.