The north eastern region of Thailand is known as Isaan. It is a mostly rural, rice producing area bordered on the east and north by the Mekong river. While English is limited, people are friendly and helpful and bus travel is easy. Towns are not far apart, and an hour or two on a local bus will get you to the next town and the next adventure without taking an entire day of travel.
Language, culture and food are more Lao than Thai in this area with Lao-style temples and chedis dotting the landscape.
K. H. Chaophaya Inn, Khorat: Business man’s hotel, close to the moat/walled old town, markets and all services. Great town for wandering around.
Guest Houses in Khorat (Nakhon Ratchasima)
Windsor Hotel, Nakhon Phanom: Sterile and cold looking building, but rooms are clean, adequate and inexpensive. Fabulous temple town! One after another all along the bank of the Mekong river.
Submukda Grand Hotel, Mukdahan: Modern, clean, elevator, and central.
Khiang Khong Guest House, Nong Khai. Fabulous choice in Nong Khai. Clean, great staff, great location, and terrace over looking the Mekong available to all guests.
