3 December 2008

The Silk Festival kicked off on 29 November. I had visited the Provincial Public Relations department to pick up the schedule of events and my ID earlier in the week. Early on the morning of the 29th I stopped by the TAT office to confirm the parade route and then stopped at the park where many events were to take place. At the park I was told a completely different starting time and route. I began my search for the parade that was to start at either 1200, 1230, or 1430 at 1030 at 1 of 3 locations. Both the TAT and government officer had the wrong location as I located the parade starting at an unmentioned location. The parade did have the usual mix of bands, floats and dancing. Unfortunately it was more standing than parading and the young folks sent much more time than necessary standing around in the hot sun. Luckily I knew a good, shady place to set up  and managed to enjoy and shoot the parade from a cool spot.

This is not to sat that these things are not worth seeing if you are in town for a festival, it is just to give you a realistic view of what is going on.
 

In the next day or so I'll post some photos of the fair.

Out and about in Khon Kaen

As mentioned in "Isaan Golf" Khon Kaen is the center of Isaan and a great place to base yourself for your visit whether you are a golfer or not.

hotels----Click to view some of the major hotels in google maps

The "Big Three" are the Sofitel, Kosa and Charen. I find the Sofitel and Kosa too big and impersonal. The Kaen Inn, Khon Kaen Hotel and Roma and PP are locally owned, well appointed and conveniently located. A friend of mine recently commented the the Khon Kaen Hotel had a much better choice of TV channels than the Kosa. Sawadee and Chaipat hotels are also more than adaquete. There are many more hotels in town that offer good value.

Transportation----Click to view airport, train and bus stations

More to come