Thailand Off the Beaten Path Blog

Sakon Nakhon in May is the start of the rainy season, which usually begins around the middle of the month, and also corresponds with the appearance of the most beautiful sunsets in Northeast Thailand. The rainy season officially starts in much of Kingdom in June or July, but in Sakon Nakhon (and other provinces in […]

Wat Chaeng Saeng Arun (วัดแจ้งแสงอรุณ) in the village of Na Hua Bo, Phanna Nikhom is a Sakon Nakhon temple that will fascinate those who are interested in Buddhist and Hindu arts and culture. The temple is filled with statues of mythological figures and unique examples of statues rarely seen elsewhere in Sakon Nakhon province. Please […]

Sakon Nakhon’s “zombie village” became a news story in 2004, after a scholarly paper was published by Ajarn Somchai Nillathi of Maha Sarakham University. Ajarn Somchai’s paper explored the myth of the “Phi Pob Village” (หมู่บ้านผีปอบ), which translates closer to “ghoul village” rather than “zombie village”. The Sakon Nakhon village of Ban Na Sao Nan […]

If you’re spending an evening in Buriram city, one tourist attraction you’ll definitely want to visit is the King Rama I Monument (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์รัชกาลที่ 1 ). Located in a roundabout at the entrance to the city, the King Rama I Monument features a huge bronze statue of King Rama I riding an elephant into war. King […]

The Phanom Rung Historical Park, otherwise known as Prasat Hin Phanom Rung (ปราสาทหินพนมรุ้ง), is an ancient Khmer era temple complex in Buriram province. Built between the 10th and 14th centuries on the rim of an extinct volcano, it is larger and more impressive than the Khmer temple structures in Sakon Nakhon, such as Phra That […]

April is the hottest month in Sakon Nakhon, and the time when Thailand’s New Year celebrations occur. The Thai New Year is called Songkran. Both Songkran and the Western New Year (January 1st) are celebrated. The Songkran national holiday lasts for 3 days (not including the weekend). You want to be sure that you aren’t […]

Pearypie @ Facebook Amata Chittasenee (Pearypie), a Bangkok-based environmentalist, social culture maker, urban farmer, theatrical and makeup artist, has just reported on her trip to taste the best rice in Thailand. She took part in a Sakon Nakhon rice tasting event (หอมข้าวชาวสกล) that was held in Bangkok. Most people are only familiar with two types […]

View our Wat Maha Phrom Phothirat (วัดมหาพรหมโพธิราช) photo gallery, a popular Sakon Nakhon temple on the banks of Nong Han Lake, which also is flanked by large rafts for rent, which makes day long excursions to the temple popular.

View a photo gallery of Wat Pa Eo Kan Wipatsonwawat (วัดป่าเอวขันธ์วิปัสสนววาส), a beautiful lakeside Buddhist temple in the Ban Tha Wat community that is located on the banks of Nong Han Lake in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.  

An interview with changemaker Tammawit Limlertcharoenvanich, co-owner of House Number 1712 Can you tell me a little about your childhood? Where in Sakon Nakhon did you grow up, what did your parents do, where did you go to school, etc. Khun Tammawit: I was born in the center of the business area in Sakon Nakhon. […]

View a photo gallery of the Suan Mann (สวนแมน) Creative Craft Center, a weekend crafts market that is open on the 1st and last Sunday of the month, and occasionally at other times. Learn more at: Mann Gardens Creative Craft Center.

  The Indochina Market in Mukdahan is an excellent place to go for a day trip from Sakon Nakhon. It takes a little under 2 hours, and there are a number of other attractions within the vicinity to make it a worthwhile journey. The Indochina Market has dozens of retailers, selling items such as locally […]

Browse a photo gallery of Wat Pa Phurithatta Thirawat (วัดป่าภูริทัตตถิราวาส), one of Sakon Nakhon’s most sacred temples. Learn more about this temple at the following link: Wat Pa Phurithatta Thirawat.

In 2017, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University organized an initiative which took tourists on a 3 day trip to Sakon Nakhon “Bio Tourism” cultural destinations that impart local wisdom and produce community made products. The promotional materials for the Sakon Nakhon tour were all produced in Thai, but we have now translated the important information into […]

An Interview with Changemaker Napapai (Dew) Namprakai of Sakon Nakhon Toyota Can you tell me a little about your childhood? Where in Sakon Nakhon did you grow up, what did your parents do, where did you go to school, etc. Napapai (Dew) Namprakai: I was born and grew up in Sakon Nakhon’s Amphur Muang along […]

In some parts of the world it is said that March “comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”. In Sakon Nakhon, we might say the same thing, except that the lion isn’t stormy, winter weather but the loud cacophony of millions of cicada males wooing females with their mating call. The […]

Wat Maha Puttharam (วัดมหาพุทธาราม) is one of Sisaket’s most scared temples, as it houses Luang Por Toh (หลวงพ่อโต) a large, gold Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara — the demon who tempted Gautama Buddha beneath the Bodhi tree, as he was seeking enlightenment. The statue stands almost 7 meters meters high and 3.50 […]

If you are flying to Ubon Ratchathani for a tour of the Northeast of Thailand, Sisaket province should be the 2nd leg of your journey and Phrathat Ruang Rong (วัดบ้านสร้างเรือง or พระธาตุเรืองรอง) a must-see temple. While Sisaket is known for its famous Temple of a Million Bottles (Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew), made from large […]

An interview with changemaker Prach Niyomkar of Mann Craft Studios & Mann Gardens Can you tell me a little about your childhood? Where in Sakon Nakhon did you grow up, what did your parents do, where did you go to school, etc. Mann Craft: I was born in Sakon Nakhon. My mother’s family is here. […]

Wat Phra That Nong Bua (วัดพระธาตุหนองบัว) is one of Ubon Ratchathani’s most sacred temples, because of the Maho Pho Chedi, a massive Indian style chedi that was built in 1956 to celebrate 2500 years of Buddhism. The beautiful chedi stands 56 meters tall and resembles the Mahabodhi stupa in Bodh Gaya, India, where the Buddha […]

Wat Tai Phra Chao Yai Ong Tue (วัดใต้พระเจ้าใหญ่องค์ตือ) in Ubon Ratchathani is one of the most stunning temples in all of Thailand. Indeed, you would be hard pressed to find any temple, even in the Bangkok area, which matches its dazzling array of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and murals. In addition to traditional sculptures of […]

Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University recently celebrated Hinamatsuri, a Japanese religious festival also known as “Girl’s Day” because it celebrates female children, or “Doll’s Day” because delicately painted and attired dolls are showcased on a red carpeted platform. The ornamental dolls represent a Lord, Princess, and attendants who wear the court dress of the Heian period, […]

Driving a motorbike in Thailand might seem like a dangerous activity to some. But actually it is generally safe to do if you follow some precautions. It also is one of the most enjoyable activities that you can do in rural Thai provinces, such as Sakon Nakhon, where there are beautiful rural roads, with little […]

February in Sakon Nakhon is the last month of the cool season. However, it can still get quite cold in February. Indeed, this past year we had one of the coldest spells in the last decade, with a low of around 50F (10C) and a high of only 63F (17C). As in other parts of […]

An interview with changemaker Chorlada Suppaso of the Vithidham School Can you tell me a little about your childhood? Where in Sakon Nakhon did you grow up, what did your parents do, where did you go to school, etc. Chorlada Suppaso: I was born and raised in a small village called Hang Hong, approximately 10 […]

When you are traveling rural Sakon Nakhon, you may well come across a small earthen oven with a chimney billowing smoke, or a smoldering pit of wood. What you are seeing is the making of charcoal. Rural Thais make their own charcoal to use for cooking, and for heat during the cold season. As more […]

A small sacred forest of 200 year old Kapok/Kayu trees (ต้นเชียง) is located in the Phu Phan Mountain area of Sakon Nakhon. The village where the trees are located is called Ban Bua (บ้านบัว) which is in Tambon Kuat Bak (กุดบาก) in Amphur Kat Bak. You get to the forested area by traveling just a […]

Coral Trees (also known as Tiger’s Claw) are one of the few trees that bloom in Sakon Nakhon in January, the the flowers usually starting to bloom around the middle of the month. Because of their beauty, you will often find coral trees planted along Sakon Nakhon roads and in parks, such as along the […]

Sakon Nakhon has wild elephants living in its deep forests, such as in the Phu Phan National Park area, where additional wild elephants were introduced a decade ago as part of a Royal initiative. However, these elephant communities are located far away from trails, so as to reduce chance encounters by villagers or tourists. Occasionally, […]

Sakon Nakhon province is filled with small rubber tree plantations, many of which were planted within the last 20 years. During the early 2000s rubber prices were high and the trees seem to offer a better cash return than rice fields. Unfortunately, in recent years rubber prices have plummeted and rubber trees are no longer […]

When visiting Sakon Nakhon temples, and traveling the highways of the province, you will occasionally see a large Bo Tree. The Bo Tree is a sacred Fig tree (Ficus Religiosa), and the most revered tree in Thailand. Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment under a Bo Tree, while Hindus believe that Lord Vishnu was […]

This is the first entry of a new series on Sakon Nakhon trees, including their uses, history, and relationship to Thai culture and religion (when applicable). We’ll begin with the Banyan Tree (Ficus), which is nicknamed the Saint of the Forest, because when its fruit drop to the ground, a wide assortment of birds and […]

January is the 2nd peak month of the cool season, with temperatures similar to December in Sakon Nakhon, the thermometer plunging to the refreshing ’50s at night. The 1st month of the year is ushered in with fireworks on New Year’s Eve. While the Thai New Year (called Songkran) is celebrated with water festivities in […]

Sakon Nakhon is probably the best place to celebrate Christmas in Thailand. The Catholic community of Ban Tha Rae, including churches, businesses, and private citizens, all pitch in to create a spectacular village of Christmas lights and yuletide celebrations. The Christmas lights start going up a week before Christmas, and include all of the traditional […]

While Thailand is a Buddhist country, you can still feel the spirit of Christmas, if you visit Sakon Nakhon in December. The province is home to Ban Tha Rae, the largest Catholic community in Thailand. The friendly villagers (largely of Vietnamese descent) put on the best Christmas show in the Kingdom, with hundreds of houses […]

MySakonNakhon was happy to entertain Grace McDonald of Bikehedonia this weekend. Grace is currently on a solo motorcycle journey, which has taken her from her native Australia to East Timor, then on to Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Due to COVID and a shutdown of the land borders, she has been stuck in […]

When visiting Sakon Nakhon temples, you will see a wide variety of Reclining Buddha statues. The most famous Reclining Buddha in Thailand is found at the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, where the statue is 15 meters tall and 45 meters long, decorated with Mother of Pearl illustrations of 108 characteristics of the Buddha. While […]

Sakon Nakhon Weather Forecast Weather Advice for Sakon Nakhon Tourism Sakon Nakhon weather is a bit different from many areas of Thailand in that the cool season (Nov.-Feb.) is actually cool! In fact, it is the coldest place in Thailand. The coolest period is usually mid-December to mid-January, when temperatures during the night and early […]

Sakon Nakhon in November is when the rice fields transform from a lush green to harvest green, and the cool season officially begins, with temperatures toward the end of the month sometimes falling to around 60 degrees (15C) at night. The Sakon Nakhon weather takes on a decidedly autumn feel (for Thailand), with a lovely […]

In today’s post, I would like to offer some philosophical advice to those who are considering a moving to Sakon Nakhon, either for retirement or for employment. There is a familiar trajectory among many expats in Thailand (aka The Land of Smiles). It starts with wide-eyed wonder; moves on to self-confidence and pride; and ends […]

There is a saying among some old expats and tourists in Thailand: “If you’ve seen one temple, you’ve seen them all.” There couldn’t be anything further from the truth, especially in Sakon Nakhon. While it’s fair enough to say that visiting a wide array of Buddhist temples isn’t for everyone, it’s a wonderful experience for […]

The Buddha protected by a Naga serpent is a statue commonly seen at Sakon Nakhon temples. However, simply because the theme is common doesn’t mean that the statues are identical. In fact, I don’t think we have ever seen an identical Buddha statue with Naga protector at any of the more than 100 Sakon Nakhon […]

When visiting temples in Sakon Nakhon, you will sometimes see the monk’s living quarters. These are small structures built on stilts called a Kuti. They can appear in various sizes and shapes, but they are intended to be small, so as to discourage the accumulation of material things. The most famous Kuti in Sakon Nakhon […]

When visiting Thai temples, you will come across a variety of “Fat Buddha” statues. However, the term Fat Buddha is a misnomer. These statues actually depict two famous monks who were recognized for their big bellies. One of these religious men is the famous Chinese monk known as Budai, who is also sometimes called (incorrectly) […]

One of the structures that you will see at many Sakon Nakhon temples (but not all) is a crematorium, which you can identify by the building with a tall chimney. The overwhelming majority of Thais are cremated, as that is the Buddhist practice, but some burials are undertaken among the Christians/Catholics and Muslim residents of […]

One of the most common Buddha statues you will find at Sakon Nakhon temples is that of the Buddha with an umbrella and walking stick. The umbrella (or parasol) is related to the Ashtamangala, which is a sacred suite of Eight Auspicious Signs in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The parasol represents the protection from harmful […]

One of the great joys of living in Thailand is the Thai food. Simple and delicious Thai dishes can be found everywhere for a little more than a dollar. You don’t have to be a spicy food fanatic to enjoy Thai food. There are plenty of Thai dishes that are not spicy but no less […]

Today’s post is not only for tourists to Sakon Nakhon, but also the expats who want to learn how to order a large portion of Pad Thai or other Thai dish. Dining at a Thai food stall or village food vendor is delicious and cheap, but portion sizes can be a little small for the […]

The three most popular Thai beer brands that you will come across in Thailand are: Chang, Singha, and Leo. The latter is rarely mispronounced, since Leo sounds just like it does in the West. However, the first two Thai beer brands are regularly pronounced incorrectly — even among long term expats in Thailand (which is […]

If you are in the habit of reading Thailand-based websites written by expats, you will undoubtedly have run across many stories of farangs confronting surly Thai soi dogs (i.e. stray Thai dogs that wander the alleyways). For some strange reason, Thai soi dogs seem to be a favorite literary topic for farang writers, second only […]

One of the best ways to learn the Thai language is to learn how to sing in Thai. If you live in Sakon Nakhon (or any larger city in Thailand), there will be plenty of opportunities for you to practice your Thai singing skills beyond the shower or inside your car. Singing karaoke is a […]

There is some truth to the idea that the culture of a country is largely revealed by how its people handle themselves when in the toilet. That Americans and Brits clean themselves up by smearing their bottoms with toilet paper, then saunter off as though clean, reveals a lot about the way they deal with […]

Plucking up the courage learn Thai? That’s great. The blog area of MySakonNakhon.com has Thai language lessons for all types of Thai language learners. English teachers who want to learn Thai to better manage their classrooms. Tourists who want to learn Thai to experience the real Thailand. Long term expats who want to take their […]

Anyone familiar with Thailand knows how to break Thai money. You go to the nearest Seven-Eleven! Unfortunately 7-11 stores (as ubiquitous as they are) sometimes are not an option — especially in small Thai villages in Sakon Nakhon. In such situations, it is handy to know how to ask the shopkeeper if they can break […]

Expats who complain about dual pricing in Thailand usually enjoy complaining as a pastime. We have never understood the whinging about dual pricing in Thailand — dual pricing being the phenomenon where locals pay less than tourists do. It’s not like dual pricing doesn’t occur elsewhere around the world. In Europe and the United States, […]

Haggling over prices is common in Thailand’s markets and mom and pop retail stores. However, it is not always easy for a foreigner to haggle successfully. Many Thais are under the assumption that all farangs are rich. If you try to haggle, a Thai store owner may think that you’re simply being a Cheap Charlie […]

Today we are going to mix a learn Thai culture lesson with a Thai language lesson. Many people unfamiliar with the kingdom have asked is Thailand a patriarchal society? The answer is complicated. While commentators do often refer to Thailand as a patriarchal society, nothing is ever as simple as it appears on the surface […]

It is easy for foreigners in Thailand to make missteps with Thai wives, especially when it comes to handling arguments. Farang husbands often manage matrimonial fights the same way they would if they were married to a Western woman, forgetting that Thai logic and cultural norms are different in Thailand. So in today’s post, we […]

When you ask expats in Sakon Nakhon why they live here, you will get two kinds of responses: the long-winded philosophical treatise and the short but sweet retort. We prefer the latter, especially when it involves Thai food. Over the past decade, Thai restaurants have popped up everywhere in Western countries, giving foreigners a taste […]

For decades, people in the West have associated the consumption of MSG with a wide variety of ailments. However, as journalist Alex Renton wrote in his MSG expose in the Guardian: “If MSG is so bad for you, why doesn’t everyone in Asia have a headache?” Renton’s article (which you can read here) is a […]

The eccentric American rock musician Frank Zappa once said that the mind is like a parachute; it doesn’t work unless it is open. That is good advice for expats who are planning to start a new life in Thailand or tourists who are visiting the Kingdom on holiday. The ways that things are done in […]

Expats in Thailand often have trouble making heads or tails of Thai logic, and search in vain for the reasons why their Thai partners or colleagues do the things that they do. The problem is that foreigners think too often with their heads and not with their hearts. When it comes to thinking and decision […]

When Americans, Brits, and other farangs start entertaining the idea of working in Sakon Nakhon (or Thailand in general), this often means taking a teaching position. However, today’s advice on working in Sakon Nakhon covers all job seekers. The topic of working in Thailand is too large cover all in one post, so we are […]

When learning the Thai language in Thailand, you also learn certain things about yourself. One thing that Brits, Americans, and other farangs learn about themselves is how much they abuse why questions. Westerners frequently use why questions not because they are seeking the unknown but because they are trying to coerce an apology or an […]

You will know when it is election time in Sakon Nakhon (and throughout Thailand) when you begin to see small billboards of politicians asking for your vote. These billboards are usually quite formal, with the politician displayed in a polite head shot or giving a “wai”. The number below or next to the person’s picture […]

October is a wonderful time to visit Sakon Nakhon. The rice fields are lush and soon to be harvested; the waterfalls are overflowing from the rainy season coming to an end; the famous Wax Castle Festival is celebrated with traditional dance and boat races (as well as the stunning Buddhist castles made of bees wax); […]

If you are looking for a tie-dye t-shirt with Sakon Nakhon emblazoned on it, indigo dyed skirts, or a dozen roses for your sweetheart, the best place to go is the area around and within Wat Phra That Choeng Chum in the center of the city. Rueang Sawat Road runs perpendicular to the entrance of […]

If you are browsing the Sakon Nakhon markets and come across some small pyramid shaped items wrapped in banana leaves, you don’t want to pass them up! What is inside is called Kanom Tian (ขนมเทียน), also spelled Khanom Thian. It’s a sweet snack made of sticky rice flour, coconut, and sugar (plus some additional stuffing […]

As you are traveling toward Sakon Nakhon city from Udon Thani, you’ll know that you are getting close when you reach the Welcome sign and the Royal Archway. The archway has photos of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and the inscription ทรงพระเจริญ, which is pronounced Song Phra Chareon and means Long Live the […]

Noodle soup in Thailand is called gŭai-dtĭao, and it is ordered either with wide large noodles (sên yài) or thin noodles (sên lék). The soup includes a dark broth or clear broth. The dark noodle soup is called gŭai-dtĭao nám-dtòk (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวน้ำตก) — the phrase nám-dtòk literally meaning waterfall. However, if you just order gŭai-dtĭao, you […]

Both expats and tourists visiting Sakon Nakhon, often wonder what is the best way to learn Thai. There are many different opinions on the best ways to learn the Thai language. Some successful Thai language students are adamant that the best way to learn Thai is at a language school or a Thai language program […]

If you are a Western tourist or expat in Thailand, you may hear the expression “farang” spoken in your direction. There is probably no word which causes more arguments in Thailand’s expat community than the word farang in Thai. Many expats find the term “farang” to be racist and resent any and all usage of […]

Aficionados of the red culinary sauce known as ketchup (Yes, we mean Americans) will be happy to know that ketchup can easily be found in Thailand. In fact, dare we say that Thailand produces the very best ketchup in the world. The best ketchup in Thailand is made by Roza, and it beats the American […]

In Sakon Nakhon there are many Thais who like to talk with foreigners, especially students attending Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University. But they are a bit nervous about speaking English. They might even come over and ask if they can talk to you. Rather than speaking with your new Thai friend immediately in English, you can […]

Today we are going to show you how to say super delicious in Thai, as well as the Isaan dialect spoken in Sakon Nakhon. You perhaps already know the ordinary word for delicious in Thai, which is a-ròi (อร่อย). But that word is so commonly used in Thailand, that it doesn’t really pass as a […]

The following is the pronunciation guide for the free Learn Thai material at MySakonNakhon.com. While we encourage serious students of the Thai language to learn how to read Thai, this Learn Thai online pronunciation guide will help those who don’t have the time to learn written Thai and need to get talking right away. Learn […]

If you are visiting Sakon Nakhon and aren’t eating the street food, then you simply aren’t living. Thai street food often is the best cuisine to be found in Thailand (and the world), as well as the cheapest. Many tourists and expats shy away from Thai street food because of fears of getting a little […]

One of the biggest faux pas a foreign tourist can make while eating in Sakon Nakhon restaurants is blowing your nose. If your nose is running because of a spicy Thai dish, then you may dab your nose with a tissue. But a full blown blow is simply not done. If a nose blow is […]

It certainly helps to know a little bit of the Thai language when traveling around Thailand, especially if you are traveling off the beaten track to provinces like Sakon Nakhon. Many upcountry people have little to no experience interacting with foreign tourists, since so few come to their provinces. It also helps to know how […]

When you learn Thai it is important to pay attention to correct Thai pronoun usage. When younger Thais talk to each other, they usually will use different pronouns to refer to each other than many older Thai adults would — unless the adults are very close friends. You could cause offense if you use informal […]

In today’s learn Thai lesson, we are going to teach you not only how to say like in Thai but to how to say like in Thai like you really mean it! The word like in Thai is among the most common words you will hear in Sakon Nakhon. It also is one of those […]

Does Thailand smell? Yes, it does! One of the great pleasures of living in Thailand is the wide variety of smells: some delicious, some putrid, some intoxicating, and some downright bizarre. In other words, the smells of Thailand reflect life in its beautiful diversity. We all have different likes and dislikes. Just as one person’s […]

Are you a serious kind of person? Well, you may have some rough going if you chose to move to Thailand. In the Land of Smiles, a friendly person will always be more welcomed than a serious person. Anyone who has spent time working in the Kingdom will tell you this, especially expat English teachers. […]

When learning Thai there are times when words of wisdom pop into your head that you want to share but lack the Thai language skills to do so. For example, if you are an expat living in Sakon Nakhon there probably has been occasions when you have wanted to quote the Rolling Stones and say […]

When starting out learning a foreign language, one of the first words that people often seek out is the word for please. After all, most people like to be polite. And foreign tourists learning Thai often quickly seek out how to say please in Thai because they have heard that the Thai people place a […]

In today’s Thai lesson, we are going to teach you how to say boss in Thai. Remember that when talking to your Thai boss you should always use the most polite form of the Thai language. The most common Thai words for boss are phôo-nam (ผู้นำ), which literally means person who leads, hŭa-nâh (หัวหน้า), which […]

Read our updated, in-depth article on paying a Thailand bride price at: Thai Dowry. The Thailand bride price or sin sot (สินสอด) is one aspect of Thai culture that causes consternation (and more than a few arguments) in the farang expat community. The idea that one is expected to pay money to the bride’s family […]