From Wikitravel

Chaiyaphum (ชัยภูมิ) is a town in Central Isaan, Thailand.

[edit] Understand

Historically, Chaiyaphum is a place where many periods of civilization have overlapped one another from the Dvaravati and Khmer periods until the Laotian or Lan Chang influence. Many archaeological remains and objects were found in many areas in the province. Later, the province appeared as a border town during the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya period. After that, the town was abandoned and appeared once more in the Rattanakosin era as a destination where the Vientiane people led by their leader called Lae, immigrated to. Then he was designated as the first governor of Chaiyaphum.

The main problem most tourists will have is that this is not a tourist place! As a result,little English is spoken,or written on hotel/restaurant menus etc. It is a charming little city though,and everyone is friendly. You should be able to bluff your way through easily enough.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road) from Bangkok to Saraburi. Turn right onto Highway No. 2 (Mittraphap Road) and turn left into Highway No. 201 at Sikhio District, passing Dan Khun Thot and Chatturat Districts into Chaiyaphum, being a total distance of 330 kilometres.

The other route is to take Phahonyothin Road from Bangkok, passing Saraburi. At the Phu Khae Intersection, enter Highway No. 21 to Chai Badan District. Then, take Highway No. 205, passing Thep Sathit and Chatturat Districts into Chaiyaphum province.

[edit] By bus

Buses from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum are provided daily. It takes approximately 5 ½ hours. For more information, please contact the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) at Tel. 0 2936 2852-66, Chaiyaphum Bus Terminal at Tel. 0 4481 1493, Air Chaiyaphum Co., Ltd. at Tel. 0 4481 1556, Nakhonchai Air Co., Ltd. at Tel. 0 4481 1739, 0 4481 2522, Chaiyaphum Chong Charoen Co., Ltd. at Tel. 0 4481 1780 or Fax. 0 4481 1760, Chaiyaphum Tour Co.,Ltd. at Tel. 0 4481 6012 or at www.transport.co.th.

Can get a bus from Khon Kaen,about 150Km distant, either aircon or fan/windows open. Price of the latter is very cheap,but it stops everywhere along the way.

[edit] By train

From the Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong Station), there are both rapid and express trains from Bangkok to Nong Khai provided everyday getting off at Bua Yai Station. After that, passengers can connect with a bus for a further 51 kilometres to Chaiyaphum. For more information, please contact the Travel Service Centre, the State Railway of Thailand, at Tel. 1690, 0 2220 4444, 0 2220 4334, 0 2621 8701 or at www.railway.co.th.

[edit] By plane

Thai Airways International Co., Ltd. has no flights to Chaiyaphum at present. However, visitors can take a plane to Khon Khaen and connect with a bus from Khon Kaen back to Chaiyaphum, a distance of 150 kilometres. Otherwise, take a plane to Nakhon Ratchasima and continue to Chaiyaphum by bus, a distance of 119 kilometres. For more information, please contact Tel. 1566, 0 2356 1111, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or at www.thaiairways.com.

[edit] Get around

There are Tuktuks at the bus terminal and inside town. Prices are reasonable (ask before you climb on board!)

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

Souvenirs popular among tourists visiting Chaiyaphum are Mudmee silk, cotton cloth, Khit cloth, triangular pillows, and other woven cloth products. There are also delicate basketry and various local dishes such as Mam, Som Wua, fish cake, and I-san sausage which satisfy visitors.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Lertnimit Hotel. As you walk out of the bus station to the main road, look to the right and across the road is the hotel. It has no obvious signage but looks like a hotel. The price includes not only breakfast, but also dinner! Both are OK and with a range to choose from and are cooked to order.Bottle of beer with dinner B90. Hotel is aircon and shower water is hot. WiFi is available,but no computer.Internet cafe about 1Km to the right,same side of the road. B600.  edit

[edit] Get out

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