Translation services Kumphawapi - Jewel of Issan – Udon Thani Province - Thailand
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Kumphawapi is a thriving town and district south of Udon Thani in North East Thailand. The main local attraction for tourists is the large lake and river. Teeming with fish and wild life, and carpeted with red lotus in the winter, it is largely unspoilt. It is also very accessible with a raised embankment and gravel track all the way round. This also provides an excellent vantage point for birdwatching and photography. The air is clear and unpolluted and the light is much appreciated by artists.
Part of the prosperity of the town comes from the large Sugar Cane Factory which is a big employer, and sits down river from the town. This also supports the rural population who grow sugar cane on the drier ground away from the valley floor.
If you are visiting this delightful area, aim to keep the same hours as the locals. Get up just before dawn and aim to get out and about at first light. Pick up an early breakfast snack at the market, and be out by the lakeside as the sun rises.
Kumphawapi is an old settlement dating back before Khmer times, and the Khmer temple is worth a visit. head out of town due north, past the police station and the temple, and continue over a long causeway. Follow the road until it ends at a T junction, turn right and the Khmer temple is ahead of you.
The monkeys are also a big tourist attraction, but treat them with respect, and don't tease them. Large males can be aggressive.
This slightly weathered map sits under a shelter down by the dam and sluice gates
Local farm transport, often beautifully decorated
Numerous temples welcome respectful visitors
Local children learn English in school, and often want a chance to try out a few English words
Copyright Peter Thomson 2012-May-20
Translation services Thai - Japanese - English
Technical translation from Thai to English for documents, product manuals, presentations using an experienced team of native Thai and native English speakers, all with graduate qualifications. Minimum Charge £5 or 250 Baht. Contact:
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Do you need help in making your holiday bookings?
We can offer advice on homestay or hotel accommodation and help with bookings, sometimes rooms are available in private houses. Car hire - make sure you have full insurance!!
Cycle hire available.
Note that drivers and carers usually speak only thai
We can also arrange the services of a tuk tuk for the day to take you bird watching. The driver will stay with you should you wish to move on, and bring you back when you are ready. Arrange the services of a boatman to take you out on the lake.
There are many fascinating spots for artists round the town and nearby lake shore, but you may also want to avail yourself of a tuk tuk for the day so that you can take your equipment further afield.
Elderly?, disabled? We can arrange a carer for the day to help you enjoy the town and its surroundings. From £20 or 1000 Baht per day.
Services are based on our best effort and reasonable care. Note that this is Thailand. Arrangements do not always turn out as expected. You must have your own insurance and take responsibility for your own actions. We accept no liability for anything. And if things go wrong don't sue us. We have no money anyway. Everything we earn goes on basic living expenses. Anything more gets passed on to the family who are poorer than we are, and to the temple. We like our way of life and are not planning to change. Contact: