1-week roadtrip in Thailand along the Mekong

📷 Want to get away from the tourist spots and dream of discovering Thai culture in all its authenticity ? Do you have a week ahead ? So this itinerary is for you !
Meet very friendly locals and adopt the traditional way of life on the edge of the rice field.

The airports of arrival and departure of this itinerary are easily accessible by flight from Bangkok airport in less than 1h30 (count around 50 euros per flight).

Itinerary of this week road trip along the Mekong

Nong Khai > Bueng Kan > Nakhon Phanom > That Phanom

🗺 Need a road map to prepare your itinerary ? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read !

📗 You want to buy a paper travel guide ? We recommend this one ! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date !

The itinerary : step by step

What to do in Nong Khai ?

On the banks of the Mekong, just in front of Laos, Non Khai is adored by all its visitors. Discover the city of banana crepe, its slow pace of life and its magnificent pink sunsets.

• Visit the park of Sala Kaew Ku and discover its magnificent cement statues representing Buddha, Shiva, Vishnu and many other deities. Be impressed by the giant Buddha statue 25 meters high. Do not miss the “Wheel of Life” in which you enter through a giant mouth.
• Visit the temple of Wat Lam Duan where a huge image of Buddha sits inside. Stay speechless in front of the panoramic view of the Mekong.
• Visit the Buddhist temple of Wat Pho Chai, the most sacred of Nong Khain, a must stop for all Thai visitors.
• Animal lover ? Discover the Nong Khai Aquarium featuring freshwater fish and ocean fish. Do not miss the “Big Tank” featuring Mekong species, including the giant river catfish.
• Walk in the Wat Noen Phra Nao Wanaram forest located south of the city. His temple is adorned with thousands of mosaics and contrasts with nature around.
• Discover the market of Tha Sadet, THE tourist place of Nong Khai. Despite the abundance of tourists, this covered market where you can buy everything is a must.

What to do in Bueng Kan ?

Discover Bueng Kan, an isolated and authentic province. At the edge of the Mekong, explore the most beautiful temples of Thailand and go to meet wild elephants.

• Discover one of the wonders of the region : the Buddhist temple of Wat Phu Thok suspended on the cliff of will and accessible by stairs and footbridges along the rock. Take paths leading to shrines and huts of monks scattered around the mountain on cliffs and caves. Admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The isolation and calm of the place encourages monks and nuns from all over Thailand to come and meditate here.
• Visit the important Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary. More than 40 wild elephants live there in the middle of the big waterfalls. Contact the Bunloed’s Huts family east of the reserve to arrange a hike to meet the world’s largest mammals.
• At 20km from the city, discover the temple of Wat Ahong Silawat built in the middle of the river Sàdeu Nàmkong (the navel of the Mekong), so called because of whirlpools forming from June to September.
• Go for a walk in the Thai-Lao market. It is filled with vendors coming from both sides of the river and it is very busy. Although we find the same products as in the usual Thai markets, some “Lao” sellers bring forest products such as mushrooms and medicinal plants.

What to do in Nakhon Phanom ?

Welcome to Nakhon Phanom which means “city of mountains”. The wavy peaks are on the other side of the river in Laos. Instead of climbing them, you will have the chance to admire them during a foggy sunrise. A fantastic experience !

• Every year in October, participate in Lai Reua Fai (feast of boats on fire). The tradition is to send rafts filled with food, flowers and candles along the Mekong. The huge current bamboo rafts contain up to 20,000 hand-made lanterns. Unbelievable !
• In the center of the city, take a picture of Wat Maha That temple, 24 meters high, golden and white.
• Walk in the three markets of the city: the Indochina market with breathtaking mountain views, the night market, vast is diverse (Thai, Isan, Vietnamese and international) and the street market with pleasant atmosphere in the middle of historic buildings.
• For a good meal or a simple coffee, go to Good Morning Vietnam & Coffee. This small street store still serves family recipes : năam neu · ang (spring rolls to assemble on the fly) and spicy Thai salads.
• For a cultural break, visit the museum of the residence of the former governor (or Juan museum) which occupies a beautiful restored mansion of 1925.

What to do in That Phanom ?

A quiet and out of time end of stay.

• Enjoy the quiet of the place to walk down the beautiful river promenade before reaching That Phanom.
• Visit the temple “the most photogenic in the world” : Wat Phra. This religious site is very old and is sacred, known for preserving the relic of the Buddha’s bones.

To learning more…

• You want to know all the information about the country ? it’s here.
• Finally, to book a flight at the best price, we advise you this website.