12 December 2025 – Day 29 — A Slow Morning, A Big Decision & Back to Buriram
After a deep, heavy sleep in what felt like the first truly soft bed in weeks, we woke feeling the difference immediately. As we put it, “The typical bed in Thailand is quite firm, so every now and then a quality western style bed is very much appreciated.” Today began gently, with a 7am wander down to Centara’s breakfast. The layout looked bigger, but something in the offering felt a little off compared to last year — not bad, just… different. Even the coffee didn’t quite hit the memory. Still, we found enough to enjoy and eased into the morning with our iPads.
By 10am we headed to the shops to check on TOPS pizza slices — a long‑standing favourite — only to discover that tradition had quietly disappeared too. No tray of pizza, no familiar smell. A small disappointment, but one of those travel moments where things shift from year to year.
At 11am we set off for Buriram, carrying the weight of a decision we’d been wrestling with for days. The conflict near the border had been sitting in the back of our minds, and Alison had spent hours scrolling social media, trying to understand what was happening about 70km away. We made the call to go — with the promise that if anything felt wrong, we’d simply turn around.
By 1pm we arrived at Chang Speedway, collected our media credentials, and immediately felt reassured. People were relaxed, the atmosphere was normal, and nothing suggested any change on the ground. It was a relief — the kind that settles slowly.
At 3pm we checked into our hotel and paid for two nights, leaving the option open to extend if everything continued to feel safe. Then at 4pm we returned to the Chang Classic Car Festival, just in time to see Vin Diesel’s black Charger being unloaded from a carrier — a perfect photo moment in the setting sun. The Thai crew were polishing it with absolute devotion, making sure every inch gleamed.
Dinner at 6pm was at the Midnight Markets, where we found a fresh, tasty Pad Thai chicken — simple, comforting, and exactly what the day needed. By 7pm we were back at the hotel, doing a final round of social media checks before settling in for an early night.
Day 29 was a day of small shifts, careful decisions, and the quiet reassurance of arriving somewhere and finding it just as warm and welcoming as we remembered.
13 December 2025 – Day 30 — A Full Day at the Chang Classic Car Festival
Day 30 was all about engines, chrome, sunshine, and the kind of joyful chaos only a classic car festival can deliver. We arrived around 9am, settling in early for what would become a full, lively day at the Chang Classic Car Festival 2025.
One of the highlights came quickly — meeting up again with our friend Amy, whose family owns not one but two Herbie 53s. Seeing her was a treat, and reconnecting felt easy and familiar. We also made new friends from Hat Yai, proud owners of Uncle Blue Classic Ford, adding another friendly thread to the tapestry of people we’ve met through this festival.
The morning rolled into something special when Amy invited us to join the grand parade. We climbed into the back of a pickup truck and took part in two full laps, waving, smiling, and soaking up the atmosphere.It was wonderful seeing them again… We were able to take in 2 laps in the grand parade with her in a pickup truck. So so very cool.
And it truly was.
By midday the heat settled in, so we ducked into the media centre for lunch — a welcome break, cool air, and a chance to recharge before heading back out.
The afternoon brought more cars, more bikes, more noise, and more action. The festival was buzzing, full of colour and movement, and we spent the rest of the day wandering, watching, chatting, and enjoying the energy of it all.
Day 30 was everything a festival day should be — fun, friendly, full of surprises, and made even better by the people we shared it with.
14 December 2025 – Day 31 — Final Day at the Festival & A Familiar Buriram Evening
Neither of us slept well last night, so the morning began a little slower and a little grumpier than usual. Thankfully, the hotel breakfast came to the rescue — simple, reliable, and just what we needed to reset the mood. We took our iPads down with us, easing into the day over coffee and a quiet start.
Today was the final day of the Chang Classic Car Festival, and despite the tiredness, we were both looking forward to it. This year’s event had been especially good — not just for the cars, but for the people. We’d made a few new friends, reconnected with familiar faces, and even found ourselves in the grand parade for every single day of the festival. It felt like we were part of the event rather than just visitors.
We also discovered that LINE had become the unofficial communication tool of the festival. Everyone seemed to use it, and it made sharing photos and staying in touch wonderfully easy.
By 6pm we were back in Buriram, heading straight for our usual dinner spot — the Municipal Markets. It’s become a tradition, and tonight was no different: Steve found himself a cold Chang beer, and we ordered fried rice with chicken and a Penang curry. Simple, tasty, comforting.
The evening was relaxed, familiar, and exactly the right way to close out three full days of festival energy.
Click Here for our PhotosDay 31 was a blend of tired smiles, good food, friendly faces, and the gentle satisfaction of a festival well enjoyed.
15 December 2025 – Day 32 — A Slow Day, New Friends & KFC Diplomacy
After three full‑on days of cars, noise, sunshine and socialising, Day 32 unfolded at a much gentler pace. Breakfast at the hotel was the first order of the day — easy, familiar, and exactly what was needed after the festival whirlwind.
With no big plans, we headed out for a walk around the local area, letting the morning unfold slowly. By lunchtime we found ourselves at a nearby shopping mall, where the day took a delightful turn: KFC. And not just KFC — Peter and Nim.
Peter, from the UK, and Nim, warm and chatty, turned a simple lunch into a lively conversation. Alison and Nim hit it off instantly — talk, talk, talk — the kind of easy connection that makes travel feel wonderfully human.
After lunch it was time for a wander through Mr DIY, because no trip is complete without a little practical shopping and a few unexpected finds.
By early evening we were back at the Municipal Markets for dinner — our Buriram favourite. The familiar stalls, the warm evening air, the easy rhythm of people coming and going… it all felt comfortable and grounding after the busy festival days.
We wrapped up the night early, content and ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.
Day 32 was simple, friendly, and restorative — a day of small pleasures and good company.
16 December 2025 – Day 33 — A Car Key Mystery, A Poolside Pause & Christmas Lights in Korat
Day 33 began with a small but persistent mystery: the Fortuner’s key fob. For days it had been getting harder and harder to open the car, and this morning it reached the point where something clearly needed attention. With a Budget office conveniently located in Korat, we decided it was the perfect time to sort it out — especially with the car also approaching its 60,000 km service.
After breakfast we packed up and headed over. By noon we were at the Budget office, explaining the stubborn key fob and arranging for the car to be taken for 24 hours. With the Fortuner temporarily out of our hands, the day shifted into something much more relaxed.
We checked into our hotel, dropped our bags, and settled in by the pool — a welcome pause after days of driving, exploring, and festival energy. The afternoon drifted by gently, with no pressure to be anywhere or do anything in particular. We even came across a Cherry EV – sweet looking car.
Later on we headed out for a walk and a bit more browsing at Mr DIY, because there is always something useful, quirky, or unexpectedly perfect waiting on those shelves.
Dinner was at the shopping centre next to the hotel — easy, familiar, and convenient — followed by a wander through the Christmas lights. Korat does festive decorations beautifully, and the warm glow of the displays made for a lovely end to the evening.
We wrapped up the night early, content and ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.
Day 33 was simple, calm, and quietly productive — a small car mystery solved, a restful afternoon, and a gentle evening wrapped in lights.
17 December 2025 – Day 34 — Terminal 21, Clear Skies & Christmas Sparkle in Korat
Day 34 began with breakfast at the Centara, though it wasn’t quite the treat it used to be. The cappuccinos were bitter, the food felt a little average, and the selection seemed smaller than in past years. Still, it did the job — fuel for a day out in Korat.
A futuristic‑looking Starliner bus was parked outside as one of the big groups checked out, adding a bit of unexpected sci‑fi flair to the morning. Then, around 10am, Budget arrived to collect the hire car — the Fortuner’s temporary replacement — which meant we were free to head out and enjoy the day.
Our destination was Terminal 21 Korat, always a favourite at Christmas. The decorations were as impressive as ever — bright, creative, and beautifully put together. With the cooler, rainy weather you’d been having, the air was unusually clear, giving you crisp, uninterrupted views from the Sky Deck, 87 metres above the city. Korat stretched out in every direction, clean and sharp against the horizon.
Inside the mall, Alison finally found the Thailand wall map she’d been hunting for — the one showing all the provinces. A small victory, but a satisfying one. The only challenge now was finding a tube to protect it, which, as we discovered, is surprisingly difficult in Thailand.
After the Sky Deck, we wandered over to Big C for lunch before heading back to the hotel for a rest. The afternoon slowed down nicely, giving us time to recharge.
Dinner was again at the shopping centre next to the hotel, followed by a stroll through a local second‑hand market — the kind of relaxed evening wander that rounds out a day perfectly.
Day 34 was gentle, colourful, and easy — Christmas lights, clear views, small wins, and a comfortable Korat rhythm.
18 December 2025 – Day 35 — Farewell Centara, A Southbound Drive & Two Surprising Temples
Day 35 began with a small ritual: taking our own coffee down to breakfast at the Centara for our final morning there. After days of hit‑and‑miss cappuccinos, it was a wise move. Breakfast was simple, familiar, and a gentle way to ease into a travel day.
Back in the room, it was time to pack up and reorganise the Fortuner — a task that always seems to take longer than expected, but somehow everything found its place. By 9:30am, we were on the road and heading south.
Late morning brought our first stop: a huge seated monk statue, at around 11:30am. Towering, calm, and beautifully set against the sky, it made for a peaceful break in the drive.
An hour later, at 12:30pm, we pulled into Wat Rattananettharam — a temple we hadn’t expected much from, but which turned out to be one of those delightful surprises Thailand does so well. The statues were adorned with replica shells and other decorative elements, giving the whole place a unique, almost whimsical feel. It was a temple where we were not expecting much, but in the end it proved us wrong.”
A perfect summary.
After exploring the grounds, it was back on the road, continuing our southbound journey with the easy rhythm of a day spent travelling and discovering small gems along the way.
Day 35 was simple, scenic, and full of quiet surprises — a farewell to Korat, a peaceful drive, and two memorable temple stops that added colour to the journey.