Onwards to Roi Et

With the failure of crossing over to Laos from Mukdahan it was just a matter of random choice now on where to head to. I choose Roi Et and casually started riding. Along the way to Roi Et, I was stopped numerous time by so many police checks. This time they all wanted to see papers instead of being lazy and waving me onwards once they knew I was Malaysian. I figured it was partially due to being so close to the Laos border. 

Riding from Mukdahan to Roi Et

One of the check point had this cheeky elderly police that keep talking to me in Thai which I had no clue what so ever since he was stringing sentences non stop.

The few words I manage to catch and understand, I answered

I am from Malaysia
I am going to Roi Et
I am touring Thailand on motorbike.

When I got the signal to carry on, the guy continue on with talks which I could not understand but I decided to tell him “Thailand Aroi” - which I think translate as ( Thailand is good )

He had a big grin on his face and started saying Aroi, Aroi and made movement with his hips that suggested something with his hand cupped on his balls while he continued repeating what I said to him ... Thailand Aroi ... a big grin and a wink he gave me. I gave him a grin underneath my covered bandana and a salute before speeding off.

Sri Chai Mongkol Grand Pagoda
Pha Nam Yoi, Nong Phok District, Roi Et 45210, Thailand 

Sri Chai Mongkul Grand Pagoda - Isaan 

Only one detour stop between Mukdahan to Roi Et and that was at this huge temple which had amazing review on google map. Out of curiosity and also since I had so much time to space, I decided to check it out and ended up spending a good hour and more exploring the temple grounds 

Garden of Sri Chai Mongkul Grand Pagoda - Isaan

The temple pagoda and garden is enormously massive with a beautiful garden and its interior is laces with detailed artwork and going up all the way to the highest level (6th floor), I notice the special enclave that is used for keeping the scared relics of Buddha. Not much translation for foreign tourist and the visitors seams to be purely locals. 

At Roi Et it was one of those city that I immediately thought ... yea ... this place I could retire. Beautiful central garden and a bustling daily city night market. Nothing much to see but just the right balance of city and country. 

Roi-Et Night Market 

Roi-Et Night Market

Dinner at Roi Et Night Market

Traveled on : Feb 2019