Nang Rong

Nang Rong (นางรอง) is a town in the Isaan region of Thailand.

Understand
Nang Rong is in no way itself a tourist destination, it is simply the nearest town to the Phanom Rung Historical Park and a convenient base for visiting the temples. That said, this perfectly normal Thai town's general lack of tourism makes it an interesting example of the elusive "real" Thailand.

In these places with fewer tourists little English is spoken and there is far less roman (A-Z) versions e.g. destination names on buses are only in Thai script, menus (when available) are only in Thai script. But locals are very helpful so it is not a problem.

Get around
Motorbike and taxi drivers at the bus station are available but just tell them “it’s walking distance” and they wont persist. Nang Rong is small and if you know where you're going you can walk. Even more fortunately, in the bus station there are several boards that give information about the town and the region, one of these boards has a plan of the town with accommodation marked.

See
Few (if any) tuk-tuks around town. Hotels can organise a taxi to take you to, wait and return from one or both the sites below, Phanom Rung only ฿800, both sites ฿1000 (for 1 to 4 people). If you are alone (1 person) enquire as motorbikes will do the same for ฿600 (both sites). It’s unlikely your diver will speak any English; just driving you around not acting as a guide.

A discounted ticket can be bought for both sites for 150 baht (buy at either site).

Do
Rent a motorbike at Honey Inn and go for a country drive. The roads are in excellent condition. The drive up the hill to the temple has some brilliant viewing points. Isaan is poor and neglected region, so detour through the countryside and see rural Thailand. Arrange an early start and head out at dawn to avoid the scorching sun and tourist buses. Free maps and directions (enough to get you to the temples) are available at Honey Inn.

Buy
There's a 7-Eleven and a Tesco Lotus.

There is a night market catering for local needs (this town is not a tourist destination).

ATMs are everywhere.

Eat
There's a smattering of cheap, pleasant, nondescript eateries. Vegetarians may have trouble here.

Drink
There is at least one bar but well hidden. Restaurants or hostels/hotels sell alcohol.

Connect
Wi-Fi/internet in hotels is OK; not “fast” so uploading photos can be slow but connections seem stable.

Go next

 * Phimai with the Phimai Historical Park Khmer archaeological site
 * Nakhon Ratchasima
 * Buriram