SIAMSMILES

Traveling by train through Thailand is a lot of fun. You meet local people and enjoy some nice scenery. And it’s cheap!!! But for this you have to travel 3rd class and during daytime. I made a trip from Udonthani to Khorat, straight through the rural part of Thailand with a stopover at Khon Kaen. The early train leaves Khon Kaen at 8.00 and takes about 4 hours to get to Khorat. I believe the ticket was about 38 baht. Along the way it will stop at several tiny villages surrounded by lots of rice fields and sugar plantations.  The below two videos cover the second leg of the trip from Khon Kaen to Khorat. Both are large Thai cities in a part of Thailand which is called Esaan. This part of Thailand is non touristy and way cheaper then Bangkok. Little English is spoken and the food is sometimes unrecognizable!

The Thai like to be together, love to party and adore the Monarchy. To celebrate the 88th birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol they prepared a mass bicycle ride called on December 5th 'Bike for Dad'. Many weeks in advance large groups of cyclist prepare for the upcoming event. I came across such an event in Khorat, a large city at the gate of Esaan. In the middle of the city at the Yamo statue every gathered for a test ride. Looks like a lot of fun and it's quite an achievement given the heat and burning sun.