Visits from Ban Wa Tabaek (Chaiyaphum) in Thailand?

Hi, I’m traveling with a small group for a volunteer mission near Ban Wa Tabaek station (Thep Sathit) next February. What would you recommend visiting from this station for a weekend (leaving Friday afternoon, returning Sunday evening)? The idea is to get away a bit by taking the train (natural park, cultural visit, or something else). Thanks so much in advance for your tips and valuable advice! Muryel

Good evening, This is on a very poorly served railway line that essentially only carries overnight trains to/from Khon Kaen/Udon Thani/Nong Khai to avoid going through Khorat. If I were you, I’d consider another means of transport.

As for places to visit, it’s also a bit in the middle of nowhere. The closest I can think of is Khao Yai National Park, which is still about ~80 km as the crow flies to the south (look for Pak Chong on a map). The ideal is to stay there at least 2 nights for a full day of exploring the park. Guesthouses organize guided wildlife tours. For a February weekend, book absolutely. Here’s a great one: http://www.greenleaftour.com/, but there are others.

Another possible destination: Phimai (~130 km to the east), a quiet and nice town known for its Khmer ruins right in the city center. There are a few guesthouses and hotels, but at this time of year, you’d do well to book ahead.

Thanks so much for the tips—I’ll look into them in more detail! Yeah, I noticed the train station isn’t super well connected... actually, I’ll be in a small village nearby, so I need to find a good, affordable way to get out and explore a bit with the group! If you’ve got any tips, don’t hesitate. 😊