A traveller's reflection: Route 12: Day 09

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Thursday, 24 April 2025

Route 12: Day 09 - Nakhon Ratchasima

“If you set your goals ridiculously high and it‘s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success.” – James Cameron

(A monk and a 5-storey giant toad in Yasothon

Day 09: 26 April 2025 (Saturday)
Route: Mukdahan - Nakhon Ratchasima
Distance: 362 km
Hotel: B2 Korat Night Market Boutique & Budget Hotel

Checked-out by 7.30 am and drove on AH 121 towards Nakhon Ratchasima. The highway was good and the traffic was smooth.

(Driving on AH121 for 150km)

(Looking out for signages)

( Smooth traffic all the way)

On the way we passed the town of Yasothon. In Yasothon, frogs and particularly toads hold significant cultural and symbolic importance. We visited the Phaya Khan Khak Toad Museum also known as the Giant Toad Museum situated by the Lam Thuan Reservoir. The 5-storey museum, shaped like a giant sitting toad, educates visitors about the various species of toads, their ecological role, and the legend of Phraya Khan Khak, the toad prince who ended a drought in the region.

( The Toad Prince greeted us at the ticket counter)

(Phraya Khan Khak Museum)

(The legend of the Toad Prince)

On the top floor, in the toad's mouth, there is a footbridge where you can observe the Chi river and the nearby great naga that houses a 3D museum. The Phraya Naga Museum which is located right next to the Toad Museum features exhibitions about Phaya Naga and other serpents, as well as beliefs and traditions related to Naga in the Northeast region of Thailand.

(The Phya Naga Museum)

(The Naga Museum by the Chi River)

(Nagas and serpents exhibition)

Behind the toad museum, there is a group of model dancers who are acting out a parade at the Bun Bang Fair rocket festival. There is also a row of food and drink stalls along the road for a nice refreshment.

(A group of dancers at the Rocket festival)

(The dancers leading the Royal chariot)

In Yasothon, we visited the Masjid Qudrotul Islam also known as Yasothon Pakistan Mosque. It is located in the middle of town along the busy street of the town central market. Met a couple of the local Muslim community. Typically Thai, we were invited to have lunch with them. Unfortunately, we had to politely decline their gracious invitation since we still had a long way to go to reach Nakhon Ratchasima. There's also a halal food outlet near the entrance road to the Mosque.

(A small road leading to Yasothon Pakistan Mosque)

(Also known as Masjid Qudrotul Islam)

(A beautiful house in the mosque compond)

(With Mr. Kushar and friend)

We arrived at Nakhon Ratchasima in late afternoon. We only had coffee and some snacks along the way as we could not find any halal food outlet. Feeling tired and famished, we tried to locate Korat Halal Restaurant but the eatery was closed and the halal signage was no longer there. This eatery used to be the favorite among Malaysian riders. We drove to B2 Korat Night Market Boutique and Budget Hotel and checked in for Rm112/night.

(Sharing parking lot with Grand Residence Hotel)

( A very spacious room)

After we freshened up and performed our jamak prayers, we drove a short distance away to the Bombay Indian Cuisine Korat. We had shrimp beriyani, shrimp malbari with naan garlic with mango lassi and cold masala for drinks.

(Bombay Indian Cuisine Korat)

(Located within a residential area)

(Spacious outer and inner dining areas)

(A cozy nice ambiance)

(Delicious Northen Indian cuisines)

After the sumptuous dinner, we walked to the Pavilion Save One Night Market of Nakhon Ratchasima located about 500m behind our hotel. The night market, is renowned for its large size, diverse food options, and variety of goods, making it a popular tourist spot. As the night market is huge, free buggy rides are available to ferry visitors from end to end.