Isan

Thailand's northeastern Isan plateau, known for Khao Yai National Park, Khmer stone temples, small towns along the Mekong and a down-to-earth, Lao-influenced rural culture, with few tourists.

This region corresponds to the Northeast (Isan) as defined by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and is defined by whole provinces, 20 in total: Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu and Loei. Nakhon Ratchasima, home to Khao Yai National Park, officially belongs to the Northeast, and no exception is made here.

Highlights: the UNESCO-listed Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex and Phimai Historical Park; Phanom Rung and Mueang Tam temples in Buriram; the Ban Chiang archaeological site (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Red Lotus Lake in Udon Thani; the Mekong riverfront and Sala Keoku sculpture park in Nong Khai; the old town of Chiang Khan and Phu Kradueng in Loei; That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom; the Pha Taem cliff paintings in Ubon Ratchathani; and festivals such as the Surin Elephant Round-up, the Yasothon Rocket Festival and the Ubon Candle Festival.

Classic itinerary: Khao Yai and Phimai, 3 days; Udon Thani, Nong Khai and Chiang Khan, 4–5 days; the Khmer temple route (Korat, Buriram, Surin), 3 days.

Getting around: Bangkok to Korat is about 3 hours by road; trains run from Bangkok to Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani; Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani have domestic flights. The Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai leads to Vientiane, Laos.

Good to know: public transport in the region is infrequent, and most temple ruins and national parks require a chartered car or self-driving; English is not widely spoken, and Isan food tends to be spicy.

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Itineraries