A less well known but picturesque and interesting road trip is along the Mekhong in Thailand. Travel from Bangkok – by car, bus, plane to Loei which is worth a few days in itself with its many national parks. If you arrive in June you could go to Dan Sai village for the Ghost mask festival- Phi Ta Kon.
From Loei drive the 50 kms to Chiang Khan passing mountains and the many flower growers. It is a sleepy traditional town by the Mekhong.
It has wooden shop houses and guesthouses overlooking the misty Mekhong in winter. You could stay in a guesthouse on the banks of the river. Then drive 10kms to Kheng Khut Khu to take a boat trip along the Mekhong to see the two coloured rapids.
From there you can take a winding road all along the Mekhong river. You can get to Nong Khai in about four hours, or stop along the way at Sang Khom which has river islands of sand in the dry season and a few restaurants right next to the river with uninterrupted views of Laos on the other side.
There are also waterfalls, forest temples and other sights if you wish to take a few leisurely days exploring the region.
At Nong Khai you could take the road bridge to Ventienne, or in October go to see the famous fireballs that mysteriously appear every Buddhist lent. They are attributed to the Naga living in the river.
(If you wish to drive back to Bangkok you could travel via Udon Thani – famous for its prehistoric settlement – Ban Chiang- dating back 3,000-5,000 years depending which archaeologists you believe.
Then go to Khon Khaen and stay at the very comfortable and sleek Pullman Raja Orchid hotel which was managed by Sofitel till a couple of years ago. If you wish to stay a couple of days a visit to the dinosaur museum and quarries at Kalasin There you can see the dinosaurs still being excavated.
At Khon Khaen you could drop off the car and fly back to Bangkok, or drive back through Khorat and visit Khao Yai forest and Praast Hin Phi Mai – Khmer ruins as day trips from Khorat.)

www.thailandunplugged.com/index2.html
www.tourismthailand.org/attraction/kalasin-46-4683-1.html

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