Author: Mike Thailandee

Buriram: Be Ballin Through the Eyes of a Blogger Thailand 2017 Winner

By Michael Bauswein

One week ago I was one of the winners of TAT NewsroomBlogger Thailand 2017 competition and went with all other winners to a 5-day trip including 2 days in Buri Ram province. Located in Isan (Northeastern Thailand), it has many to offer from historical parks to motorsport events and activities or football fever…

Phanom Rung temple

Buri Ram historical temples

If there is one place you have to go in Buri Ram province, it is definitely the Phanom Rung Historical park. The Khmer temple there is probably the most beautiful in Thailand (another one is the Phimai temple). Built on the top of an extinct volcano, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is famous for its long stone paved walkway and for an amazing phenomenon happening 4 times a year: the sun rising or setting through the 15 doors of the temple.

Prasat Hin Phanom Rung

A few kilometers from Phanom Rung, there is another beautiful Khmer temple, Prasat Mueang Tam. Smaller, this Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva is a very lovely and peaceful place with 4 L-shaped ponds.

Prasat Muang Tham

These are the must visit places if you come here but there is more!

Buri Ram motorsports and football

Thunder Castle Buriram

What put Buri Ram under the spotlight in recent years is its football team: Buriram United, the best in Thailand and the Thunder Castle (now known as the i-Mobile Stadium), its stadium accommodating 32,600 football fans and the nearby Chang International Circuit (although known as Buri Ram United International Circuit because of alcohol restrictions ;)) built in 2014.

Chang International Circuit

There is also a go-karting track where I could show, in the morning, to others bloggers my amazing skills to drive… into the piles of tyres. Before ending the day by attending a sport cars race and see some professional drivers… finish into the tyres too!

Silachai Go Cart track

Buri Ram Walking Street

On our 2nd evening in Buri Ram, we went into the city’s Walking Street which is taking place every Saturday and Sunday on Rom Buri Road. Like all night markets in Thailand, it is a nice place to discover local food. Taste it and see how they do it. I filmed one vendor doing “Khanom buang”. Only filmed because we already had dinner and like for all the meals of this blogger trip, the food was so good and there was so many different dishes that  I ate too much and was more than full already.

If you plan a trip to Thailand, Buri Ram and Isan overall is definitely a region to visit. There you will see a very different Thailand from the one in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and all other destinations well known by tourists. And if you are a travel blogger keep in touch with TAT Newsroom, the Blogger Thailand contest will probably be held again next year…

*”Buriram Be Ballin’” is a slogan that I saw many times in the city and around the Thunder castle

Creator of Thailandee.com, Mike is French and travelled in Thailand from North to South and West to East for many years and shares his experiences on website in French and English.

By Mike Thailandee

I travel a lot in Thailand for many years and I never stop discovering new places. I Krabi province many times but focused on the beach and islands, this time I decided to spend two days in Krabi town and go see what is in and around the city.

Tiger cave Temple

Despite its name, this temple is mostly known for its impressive 360° view over Krabi province on the top of a mountain. But you need to deserve it! There are 1,260 steps to climb to arrive to the top. In France, I live on 5^th floor and there’s no lift, so I can do it! It is like going home… 14 times. Up there, you can enjoy endless views of the mountains, the countryside and Krabi town, and even the sea in the back.

Emerald Pool

After this big physical effort, I needed a place to chill out in a nice pool. Krabi Emerald Pool (around 40km from town) would be the perfect place. I spent a long time in its emerald green natural water. And go to see Blue Pool a little further (swimming not allowed).

Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail

I finished the day by having dinner at Chao Fah Pier night market. And on the next morning, I went on a longtail boat tour on Krabi river, one of the tours I found on TAT “A touch of Thai vehicles” application. This is THE trail you have to do in Krabi! The Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail offers an amazing viewpoint on the bay, one of the most beautiful sceneries in Southern Thailand. This time I did not rent a motorbike but hired a tuk-tuk to take me there, wait for me and take me back to Krabi town. Going up to the viewpoint is quite tiring but it really worth it! I spend more than one hour up there just looking around. Entrance is free but tips are appreciated.

Here is a link to one of my videos on Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail

There is one picture everybody coming here takes: they sit on a long stone over the void and ask friends to photograph them (it is not me on the picture but another visitor ;)).

Krabi Walking Street

I finished Day 2 by going to Krabi Walking Street, which takes place on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, for dinner. There were so many food stalls that it took me forever to choose what to eat.

So if you go to Krabi make sure to not miss these amazing places!

Creator of Thailandee.com, Mike is French and travelled in Thailand from North to South and West to East for many years and shares his experiences on website in French and English.