'''Isaan''' (?????; also ''Isan'', ''Isarn'' and even ''Esarn''), Thailand's north-east region, is an often overlooked part of the country. There's no coastline, so there are no beaches to draw in the sun hungry crowds; however, Isaan is a multicultural area where Laos, Cambodia and Thailand meet, and has a rich history. A mainly agricultural region, it's the poorest part of Thailand. There's a good chance that your tuk-tuk driver or girlfriend from Bangkok originally hailed from Isaan, but went to the big city in search of work.

Provinces

  • 1 - Amnat Charoen
  • 2 - Buriram
  • 3 - Chaiyaphum
  • 4 - Kalasin
  • 5 - Khon Kaen
  • 6 - Loei
  • 7 - Maha Sarakham
  • 8 - Mukdahan
  • 9 - Nakhon Phanom
  • 10 - Nakhon Ratchasima (also known as Khorat)
  • 11 - Nong Bua Lamphu
  • 12 - Nong Khai
  • 13 - Roi Et
  • 14 - Sakon Nakhon
  • 15 - Si Saket
  • 16 - Surin
  • 17 - Ubon Ratchathani
  • 18 - Udon Thani
  • 19 - Yasothon
  • Cities

  • Buriram
  • Khon Kaen
  • Nakhon Ratchasima (also known as Khorat)
  • Nong Khai - gateway to Vientiane, Laos
  • Sakon Nakhon
  • Surin
  • Ubon Ratchathani
  • Udon Thani
  • Yasothon
  • Other destinations

  • Kantharalak - gateway to Preah Vihear
  • Khao Yai National Park - Thailand's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Phimai - historical site near Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Preah Vihear - Khmer temple actually located in Cambodia, but no visa required to visit
  • Understand

    Isaan is a wonderful part of Thailand to visit if you have tired of Khao San Road, one temple after another, or the beach. The relative isolation and underdevelopment of the area mean that Isaan is one of the poorest regions of Thailand; this also means that it is a good place to get a little off the beaten track.

    Climate

    Talk

    While the national language Thai is used in schools and thus well-understood, the local '''Isaan dialect''' is closely related to Lao. Khmer is also widely spoken in areas near the Cambodian border. Although the person you meet in the market might speak little or no English, it's more likely than not that they are already bilingual or multilingual.

    Get in

    By plane

    The cities of Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani can be reached by plane from Bangkok on both Thai Airways and Air Asia, but there are few if any air links elsewhere.

    By bus

    Frequent bus services go everywhere.

    By train

    Regular train services connect Bangkok with Ubon Ratchathani (via Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Si Saket and other stations along the way) and Nong Khai (via Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, etc).

    Get around

    Depending on where you're coming from and where you want to get to, buses, minibuses, songthaews, motorbikes and bicycles are all good ways to get around.

    The train system is also a good way to get around, however the number of locations served is limited.

    See

    Do

  • '''Golf''' - see Golf in Thailand - Isaan
  • Eat

    Isaan cuisine borrows heavily from Lao cuisine and is distinctly different from central Thai cooking, although there has been a considerable amount of cross-pollination. Perhaps the best-known Isaan dish is ''som tam'' (or ''tam mak hung'' in Lao/Isaan), a spicy salad prepared from unripe papayas. While Thais prepare this with dried shrimp, in Isaan the preferred style is with preserved crab (''puu'') or mudfish, an acquired taste. Other characteristic dishes include roast chicken (''kai yaang''), sticky rice (''khao niaw'') and a wide variety of cold meat, mint and lemon juice "salads" known as ''larb''.

    A word of warning: Isaan food is known even among Thais for being fiery hot!

    Drink

    The main drink in Isaan is a wonderful spirit which combines orange juice with chilly peppers and rum. It is a must for all visitors.

    Stay safe

    Get out

  • Central Thailand
  • Eastern Thailand
  • Northern Thailand
  • Cambodia
  • Laos