Unseen: Isan Region Provinces: * Bueng Kan * Nong Khai * Udon Thani * Khon Kaen

Greetings! As always, I'm back with another adventure. This time, we're heading to the northeastern region of Thailand, specifically to the newly established 77th province, Bueng Kan. Ever since I heard about it, I've been eager to visit, but time constraints always got in the way. This trip finally aligned perfectly, and Bueng Kan became our primary destination. However, while we were at it, we decided to explore some neighboring provinces along the way, making it a 4-province adventure. Join me as we uncover the hidden gems of these provinces, and don't forget to check out the budget-friendly expenses at the end of the trip, as always.

Rough trip schedule for September 8-10, 2561

Day 1: Drive all night to Nong Khai in the morning. Visit Wat Pha Tak Sue and then head to Bueng Kan. Explore the surrounding areas of Phu Sing, including Raek Lan Tham, the viewpoint at Tham Rishi, the Hin Sam Waan rocks, and other points of interest around Phu Sing. Set up camp and spend the night at Phu Sing.

Day Two: Wat Phu Thok - Seven-Coloured Waterfall - Tham Phra Waterfall - Accommodation by the Mekong River

Day Three: Tham Phun Waterfall - Cha Nan Waterfall - Wat Pa Kham Chanod Udon - Ubolratana Dam Khon Kaen

Before watching the short video, let's take a look at the equipment used for this trip. As usual, all the footage was captured using a Nikon D7200 with Tokina 11-20, fixed 35mm, Tamron 70-300 VC, and GoPro Hero 4 Silver.

The journey began on Friday evening, departing from Bangkok around 9 pm. This trip was a solo ride, but two Vios cars from Lampang and Loei provinces joined later. The destination for this morning was Nong Khai, traveling with Big, who drove his 4x4 Vigo. Due to the challenging terrain, our Vios had to be parked in the shade as usual.

Before reaching Nong Khai, we picked up a friend from Khon Kaen who regularly joins us on our trips. It's convenient because he lives along our route to Isaan. On every trip, our friend has to take a bus from Khon Kaen to meet us in Bangkok, and then we all travel together to the north, south, east, or west. This time, he gets to relax and enjoy the ride without having to take a long bus journey.

We arrived in Khon Kaen at 3 am. Our host, Te, took us to a popular late-night spot for young people. We arrived just after the pubs closed, and the place was packed. We enjoyed a variety of dishes, including congee, Mama noodles, and jook.

The taste is incredibly delicious, the broth is flavorful, and the ingredients are plentiful. If you're passing by late at night, be sure to stop by for a bite. You won't be disappointed.

Departing from Khon Kaen, I arrived at Wat Pha Tak Saeo at 6:30 AM. The morning mist was light, not a sea of fog, but the view of the river was still beautiful. The mist hung in the distance.

Let's go see the fog pictures first.

This morning, there were few people. The tour groups haven't arrived yet. The skywalk wasn't scary and it was beautiful.

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As the photos were being taken, the fog gradually rolled in, becoming denser.

Flowing continuously.

Zooming to the left, we see a province in the distance.

Too long.

Walk back a little further and you'll find another interesting spot, just as beautiful.

There are also thrilling rocky cliffs.

Brave housekeeper, hehe.

This trip includes Vios owners from Loei and Lampang. It will be a fun trip.

Leaving Nong Khai, we stopped for breakfast at a roadside restaurant in the city center. The wild boar stir-fry was delicious. This meal cost 500 baht.

The scene then cuts to 555, which means I was the only one driving the car all night and couldn't take it anymore, so I let the owner of the car drive for another 100 kilometers. We warped to the entrance of Phusang, which has a well-paved road. There are shops at the entrance, so I'll come out later in the evening to buy some drinks.

We arrived at Phu Sing after 1 pm. We will camp here tonight, but first we will go sightseeing on top of Phu Sing.

The map of tourist attractions on Phu Sing has many points. The off-road route is moderately difficult and requires a four-wheel drive pickup truck. If you are driving a two-wheel drive vehicle, you should check with the park officials to see if it is allowed. I saw several two-wheel drive tour vehicles, but they know the local terrain. Motorcycles are prohibited. If you do not have a vehicle, you can rent one for the day for 500 baht. It takes about 2-3 hours to visit several places, covering a distance of approximately 8 kilometers.

We went with Big V-Go 4*4, which was very comfortable and easy to get to. Let's get started!

Park your Vios and Hilux at the back of the pickup truck and come together.

First Point of Dhamma Field

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This trip was also an opportunity to take pre-wedding photos. We had our friends take them, which was a great way to save money. We kept it simple and took photos in the forest and on the mountain, which is our style.

The man sat behind and let the woman drive.

The road is unpaved for the entire stretch, with occasional sections of asphalt.

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It's getting a bit deep here, I wonder how deep it will go.

Go down and see if it's hard to continue.

The hard ground is not too deep, so it is comfortable to walk on.

And then we arrived at the viewpoint of the Rishi Cave.

The view is stunning, you should definitely check it out.

Upon arrival, do not forget the traditional Thai greeting.

If you are tired, take a rest.

After walking a short distance, you will reach the Three Whales Rock.

This is truly unseen, I've never seen anything like this before. The shape is like a submarine, haha.

We stand from the middle stone to take a picture.

Go see it. It's really beautiful. You should see it at least once.

The hunter asked to sit in meditation to commune with nature for a while.

Continue

The next stop is a circular rock formation called "Elephant Rock," which bears a striking resemblance to a real elephant.

I can't recall the name of the next location. The path was narrow, so the tour bus parked, and we followed suit. It was a beautiful sight.

Scenic viewpoint at Saeng Roi Bo

A miniature version of the Three Thousand Peaks.

I'm so busy, I can't even find time to meditate with my friends. Haha.

If you have time, it is recommended to visit all the attractions. However, some areas may be slippery and dangerous. The staff will provide guidance upon arrival.

No one pitched a tent down below today. In conclusion, we have the entire Phusingh camping ground to ourselves for a fantastic rainy season getaway. The cost is only 50 baht per tent, and there is no charge for individuals. Water and electricity are available all night, making for a very comfortable stay. However, if you choose to stay overnight, please consider making a donation, as appropriate.

Tonight's dinner is a barbecue according to the recipe.

And German pork legs from Loei province. Many chefs on this trip, we used the card to wait for the box to take pictures and eat only.

Today, it was rainless, so we ate comfortably. But when it got dark, we felt tired, so we moved to the pavilion in case it rained. We wanted to test the new tent. 555

As the night sky cleared around 9-10 pm, millions of stars emerged, offering a breathtaking view. The Milky Way was clearly visible, making this trip a success.

The naked eye can clearly see it, even with the bathroom light on, it's still very clear.

The fire was a bit too much. This is the pavilion we were talking about. We chatted until 11 pm and then went to sleep.

The night air is pleasantly cool, with a slight chill in the late hours. The evenings are warm and stuffy, with little breeze, but overall, it's a comfortable place to sleep.

This trip has a new item, an inflatable mattress. It is easy to inflate with natural air. It takes about 10 inflations to fill it up. It is soft enough for two people to sleep on. It adds a little extra weight, but it makes sleeping much more enjoyable.

This trip, I used two new tents from K2Adventuer. The yellow one is a Twowheels model for two people, and the blue one is a Cycling model for one person. I slept in the yellow tent in the latest picture.
The weather was calm and there was no rain the night I camped at Phu Sing, so I didn't test the wind and rain resistance.
However, judging from the specifications, the waterproof level of 4000 should be sufficient, similar to the P3.

Translation:

Ease of Use:

• Setting up the tent is straightforward, with a single pole connecting all sections. It's slightly easier to pitch than the P3 model.
• While one person can easily set up the tent, attaching the flysheet can be a bit confusing due to the different head and tail ends.
• A significant advantage is its suitability for taller individuals. This model is considerably longer than the P3, and the head end's design allows for sitting upright without bumping your head.
• However, it's slightly narrower than the P3, and its packed size is smaller. The weight is comparable to the P3.

However, no tent is perfect for everyone. Choose one that meets your needs and, most importantly, fits your budget. Whether it's cheap or expensive, you can still be happy with it. In the past, I used a 199 baht Big C tent, which I still use today and it hasn't broken. However, as my travel style has changed, I sometimes ride a motorcycle or hike, so I need a tent that can withstand the rain and wind, doesn't require a lot of carrying, has space for my helmet while I sleep, and is lightweight for hiking. So I had to find a new one that wouldn't break the bank. The one I'm using now costs around 2,000 baht. Choose one that suits your needs.

Continuing on from last night's heavy session, we met up after a long time this morning. We left a little late, after 9 am, and took some photos at the tree tunnel.

Continuing on to Phu Thok. In fact, Phu Thok was the spark that ignited my desire to visit Bueng Kan for a long time. However, I only heard about the Three Whales Rock in the past two years, so I finally made it to Bueng Kan.

There is no water for sale at the top, so you need to buy it from the shop at the entrance. One bottle for two people is enough. It will only be tiring to walk during the first part.

Let's begin our walk. Please dress modestly and refrain from making loud noises.

Map and History

That's quite a distance away.

The first three floors are a long, continuous staircase.

That was quite a workout.

Translation:

The path leads to either the third or fourth floor, where there is a fork to the left and right. Both paths lead to the destination, but the right path offers scenic views along the way. After walking a short distance on the right path, you will encounter breathtaking scenery. The left path is recommended for the return journey.

Translation:

The breathtaking view welcomes you. From here on, it's a leisurely stroll. Take in the panoramic vistas as you ascend the stairs, level by level, enjoying the scenery at each turn.

After the 4th floor, each floor can be walked around. Let's just keep looking.

The higher you climb, the greater the risk.

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Floor 6, the top floor

In reality, we got lost after going up from the 6th floor. We saw a staircase and walked up it, but it turned out to be a forest with nothing there. Therefore, we only walked around the 6th floor.

The view is beautiful.

And then it goes down progressively.

The left descent offers limited scenic views.

It took two hours.

We then continued to the waterfall. We arrived at Chek Si Waterfall at around 1:00 PM and were hungry, so we ate at the entrance.

The roundtrip hike to the seven-colored waterfall is approximately 3 kilometers. The trail is very slippery, so please be careful.

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Taking a leisurely stroll without feeling too hot.

The ground beyond this point is very slippery.

The trail becomes steep and requires some scrambling near this point, which can be a bit thrilling. Young children should be closely supervised here.

Arrived.

It is magnificent, large, and impressive.

Translation:

Translation:

That's really big, isn't it? You're amazing.

Great, I like it.

Seven-colored waterfall, seven-colored gem. The other two didn't stop here, they went to the cave first.

We are not playing in the water here, we are going to play at the Tham Phra waterfall.

The cave waterfall is inaccessible by land, requiring a boat ride for 30 baht roundtrip.

Upon arrival, walk a few hundred meters to reach your destination.

Very big here.

Translation:

It has arrived and is truly beautiful, just as rumored.

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Chanting for a moment

Unfortunately, we arrived a little late in the evening and only had less than an hour to play.

This waterfall closes at 5 pm because we have to take a boat out. We are the last group.

After leaving Tham Phra Waterfall, the members of the Loei group returned to work on Monday morning. The rest of us stayed for another night and went to sleep at Rim Khong Bueng Kan. The name of the accommodation is Rim Doi. We enjoyed a long night at the accommodation, which was very quiet and had almost no other guests. Only our group was in the back zone.

There were white elephants tonight, but there were too many lights at the accommodation, and I couldn't turn them off, so I couldn't take any pictures of the elephants.

Tonight's dinner is shabu-shabu again, using leftover pork from yesterday. The only expensive part is the drinks. It's been a while since we've seen each other, so we're having a great time catching up.

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Let's take a look at the rooms. We booked two rooms at 700 baht per room, for a total of 1400 baht. We can sleep 8 people, which is a great value.

This room on the top floor has a single bed and a beautiful view.

Leave it at Doi, a house with a good atmosphere.

Now there are only 6 of us left. The Vios from Lampang left earlier this morning.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast by the Mekong River near your accommodation.

Before returning, let's collect two more waterfalls.

The first waterfall is Tham Fun Waterfall.

We did not check the opening hours beforehand and found out that they were only open from Wednesday to Sunday. We asked the staff, who initially said they were closed, but then inquired if we had come from Bangkok. They then asked us to wait while they checked with their supervisor.

The chief saw us coming from afar and allowed us to enter, but we needed an official guide because there were no people inside. Moreover, this is a wildlife sanctuary, so it is for safety reasons.

The officer kindly followed on a motorbike and led the way, explaining the history of various places. Thank you very much.

During the past three days of my trip, it did not rain at all, resulting in slightly lower water levels than I expected.

The other side is a thin layer of water.

To the very end of Bueng Kan, Cha Nan Waterfall

Unfortunately, the entire area is flooded, making it impossible for vehicles to pass. Locals reported that it has been raining heavily for days, and many areas in Bueng Kan are experiencing similar flooding. The situation is truly unfortunate for the residents, who are likely facing significant hardship.

No problem, I'll come back again. Goodbye, Bueng Kan.

As soon as we left Bueng Kan, it started to rain. Fortunately, it only rained while we were in the car, both on the way there and back.

Upon arriving in Udon Thani, visit the Pa Kham Chanod Forest Temple.

Nothing can break the love between us.

The temple is pleasantly cool and breezy.

After paying respects and making offerings, they continued their journey.

The sacred well water can be bottled and taken home.

The final stop on this trip is Khon Kaen, Ubol Ratana Dam.

My friend's local girlfriend from Khon Kaen is visiting, and we're going to have dinner together.

Stop to take pictures and enjoy the view of the dam ridge.

Beautiful view with soft evening sun at 5 pm.

Scenic view of the dam's ridge.

Translation:

Just a short drive after the dam, we magically arrived at Bangsaen. Haha, Bangsaen 2!

Come have some rice with me.

Unable to determine which restaurant is the best, I opted for the one closest to me: Baibua.

The evening air is a bit stuffy, but the view is beautiful with the soft light. You can swim, and life jackets are available.

Let's take a look at the atmosphere.

Translation:

The sun is setting.

The meal cost 1140 baht. At first, I was surprised by the price of the food, as each item seemed expensive, ranging from 150-350 baht. However, the portions were quite large, and the food was delicious. Seven people shared 5 or 6 dishes for 1140 baht, and we were all very full, almost unable to finish everything.

The food in the picture hasn't arrived yet, but I'm already starving and took a bite.

The twilight sky painted a breathtaking end to the trip as the sun dipped below the horizon.

The boat arrived at the opportune moment.

Translation:

This photo calls for a silhouette, don't you think? 😜

Leaving the restaurant at the dam around 6:50 PM, it was already pitch dark. We drove straight to Bangkok, where traffic was light as it was a Monday. We arrived home just after midnight, and the other members arrived no later than 1 AM. The "On Tour Isan" trip ended beautifully and within budget.

The trip expenses will be a bit confusing as there are 3 vehicles and we won't be visiting all the same places together.

A rough estimate of the price of a Vigo pickup truck from Bangkok.

The fuel cost 6,500 baht for 2,000 kilometers. Big drove hard, which is impressive considering the full load of passengers and luggage, and the high speed to make good time.

Central pool of 6 people

Rice porridge with noodles 260 baht

The cost of breakfast in Nong Khai is 510 baht.

Entrance fee to Erawan Waterfall is 260 baht.

Boat fare to Tham Phra 210

Breakfast in Bueng Kan on the 3rd, 240 baht.

Ubolratana Dam Dinner 1140

Sum divided by 6 equals 1520

Divide the central fund by 8. Collect 300 baht from the brother who came from Loei. Deduct the cost of the pork leg that he brought and he stayed for one night.

Accommodation includes breakfast with plain rice for 100 baht.

First night beer 1000

628 beers

Two cases of beer, 1210 baht for two nights.

Total cost of pork: 700

The cost of a room at the house on the mountainside is 1400.

Camping fee in Bueng Kan is 300 baht.

5338 - 300 = 5038. Dividing 5038 by 8 equals 630 baht.

In total, the Vigo ride cost 2,150 baht per person, which is very economical. We ordered a lot of drinks, which was a bit extravagant, but it was a rare occasion to meet up and we had a lot to catch up on. We woke up late both days, but we still stayed within our budget. The cost of living in the Northeast is very affordable, with reasonable prices for food and other necessities. Be sure to visit Bueng Kan at least once!

Our next trip will be after our wedding. After this trip, we will stop traveling, stay home, and save money. See you again with the "Traveling Couple" tour!