Head to the Isaan region for a taste of 'old Thailand'
Thailand is well-known as a haven for backpackers and it's regarded as one of the more accessible nations in south east Asia, but despite its mass appeal, there are still plenty of places to go to get off the beaten track.
And the Isaan region is one of them, especially if you want to see some stunning Khmer temples.
Chris Coplan wrote in the Guardian about his experiences of the area, which he described as being "as close to the 'old Thailand' as you can get".
If you're after temples, then this is the place to go, with 182 Khmer sites located throughout the region dating back to between the ninth and 13th centuries.
According to Mr Coplan, the "jewel in the crown" is the temple complex at Phimai, where you will find that "entering it is like walking into a secret, mythical garden".
It sounds like a great alternative to some of the better-travelled routes to me and with the possibility of catching a glimpse of creatures such as tigers, bears, leopards and gibbons in the Khao Yai national park on the edge of the Isaan region; I'd certainly say it's worth a visit.
There are several mountains in the Khao Yai national park - as well as a cave that is home to almost one million bats.
Sounds like a great place for nature-lovers to visit!
