The northeast holds a rather distinct place for most Thais. Its something akin to the nation's heartland. Generally poorer than the rest of the country, this is where much of the nation's rice and other staple crops are grown. The region has a specific name, which is isan (the "I" is pronounced with a long "EE" sound.) Isaan also has a specific regional cuisine which is quite distinct from the central Thai food you will find in most western Thai restaurants.
Isan also has a rich history, with evidence of occupation going back at least 5,000 years. The region is near the heart of the old khmer kingdom, and the ruins of khmer Hindu and Buddhist temples are found throughout the area. In recent years, some rich fossil finds have also sparked keen interest, with a few "Jurassic Parks" to be found here and there.
Isan is probably the least touristed area of Thailand. It's an excellent place to spend time trying to see the "real" Thailand.
This historical park contains some of the most extensive Khmer era ruins in Thailand. A new visitor center will be opened in 2002 to facilitate more visitors.
Loei
Phu Kradung
National park which contains and surrounds the highest mountain in the northeast. Its a popular hiking and camping spot among Thais.
Nakorn Ratchasima
Most Thais will refer to Nakorn Ratchasima as Korat. There's not much to the town itself, but several things to see in the area.
Thao Suranaree Festival
In the 19th century the wife of a city official named Thao Suranaree led a band of local women who managed to defend the city against a Lao invasion by getting the Laotian soldiers drunk. A statue and shrine containing her ashes defends the western gate of the city to this day, and every year from 23 March to 3 April they hold a fair in her honor in the precincts around the gate.
Pak Thong Chai
Famous silk weaving village about 20 miles south of Korat. Note, however, that prices won't be any cheaper than Bangkok.
A small village about 10 miles southeast of Korat, famed for its ceramics.
Surin
Elephant Roundup
About the only thing worth seeing in this town. The annual roundup is held every November.
Udon Thani
Ban Chiang
About 35 miles east of Udorn Thani town, this archaeological dig has become a tourist attraction. Artifacts dating back 5,000 years have been found here.
Ban Pheu
You will find cave paintings a several areas of bizarre geological formations near this village about 30 miles northwest of Udorn Thani.
Map of Nang Rong Province Click on any of the icons for more information. Buriram province lies at the heart of the Korat plateau, between Nakorn Ratchasima and Surin provinces. There is not much to see, except for some of the most impressive Angkor era ruins in Thailand. The temple atop Phnom Rung hill is one of the largest and best preserved religious sites dating back to the tenth century.
Loei is one of those provinces that has long been associated as the back of beyond, as far from sophisticated and civilized Bangkok as you can get. There's very little to city in the provincial capital. The charms of the province, such as they are, are mainly in the countryside. There are two major, and spectacular, national parks as well as a wild life preserve. The premier event in the province is the Phi Ta Khon ghost mask festival in the tiny village of Dan Sai, about 90 kilometers from Loei city.
Nakorn Ratchasima Province One of the problems with "exotic" destinations like Thailand is that the more popular they become, the less exotic they get. On the surface at least, the capital of Bangkok could be just about any modern city. Other major tourist destinations are often not much better. I know of at least one destination beach resort in the South of Thailand that seems to have gone out of its way to look and feel like it could just as easily be in the South of France.
Old house in Nong Khai Most people just pass through the narrow border province of Nong Khai on their way to Vientiane in Laos. There isn't a lot to see in Nong Khai, but it is a pleasant enough place to spend a couple of days. The Mekong riverside area is well developed, with a pleasant broad walkway, there are a few interesting old buildings, as well as quite a few restaurants.
Ubon Ratchathani, or just 'Ubon' for short, is Thailand's eastern-most province, bordered by Laos to the east and Cambodia to the south. The city was founded, officially, in the late eighteenth century during the reformation of Siam after the sacking of Ayutthaya by the Burmese.
A candle sculpture in Thung Si Muang park The city doesn't have a lot to offer tourists. There aren't any 'must see' sights in the city itself, and no tourist infrastructure to help you get to some of the interesting places elsewhere in the province.
