Roi Et or Chum Phae?

[Boxenluder]

A friend’s mother-in-law owns houses in Roi Et and Chum Phae, where I could stay for an extended period, practically for free. I’ve never been to Isaan and don’t know a soul in either place, but I’m itching to finally see more of LOS than the usual touristy places. I’m also keen to learn some Thai while I’m there, so I can at least communicate at a bare minimum. 

 

My plan would be to stay for two months in the first instance, and longer if I really like it. Rather than spending one month in each place, I’d prefer dipping my feelers in one place for both initial months.

 

Assuming the skirmish with Cambodia blows over, or at least won’t extend to these areas, which place would you Isaan connoisseurs out there recommend?

[Stuck in Thailand]

I've just lost the will to live.

[KhunLA]

Chom Phrae

[Lorry]

Roiet. It has some remnants of civilization.

[biervoormij]

I personally would not want to be in a rural setting for 2 months on my own. If it is Roi Et city it might be OK but would not want to do rural Roi Et. I would also check to make sure you will have AC and a normal toilet.  I would hate to stay 2 months in a place with a squat toilet. I would also recommend you have your own transport.

 

You do understand that Thai is not the 1st language in Isaan. I think everyone speaks and understands Thai but they will not be speaking Thai to each other so may not be the best place to learn Thai but would be great to learn Isaan. 

 

Hope you have a great time wherever you stay.

[KhunBENQ]

If the house is in Roi Et city you should prefer. Every provincial capital has more than Chum Phae for a foreigner.

Living alone(!) in these places?

That's not an easy choice.

Do you have your own transport? In Chum Phae you are dead without.

Both places are far from everywhere.

[HappyExpat57]

I spent a month in Sapsomboon (sp?), a little village 25 clicks south of Sa Kaeo. One paved road, one 7/11, no ATM's, the smell of farm wafting everywhere. I've been through Roi Et and it's just about the same if you get away from the main city. I could not wait to get the hell outta there. No idea what Chum Phae is like, but isn't all Thailand basically the same once you get away from any city? Mind you, I find the consistency comforting - you know what you're going to get - it's just very very very boring.

[Harrisfan]

Put the house on a truck and move to the beach.

[KhunBENQ]

8 hours ago, Boxenluder said:

Assuming the skirmish with Cambodia blows over, or at least won’t extend to these areas, which place would you Isaan connoisseurs out there recommend?

If that conflict extends to a war affecting central and northern Isan we are f.cked up anyway. I don't give a thought about it.

Isan for beginners is Udon Thani. Bigger expat community, shopping, bars and restaurants etc.

Airport with frequent flights to Bangkok.

No war in sight with Laos.

[Fabio1980]

I don't know Roi Et very well, but I travel frequently for work to both KK and Chumpae. I find Chumpae to be one of those convenient places where you can find everything.

[Harrisfan]

These smaller places get boring quick unless you don't need much. Udon has good food and markets.

[atpeace]

Knowing nothing about you other than you don't speak any Thai and know little about NE Thailand makes it near impossible to give you a recommendation.  I live in an area in the NE that is very hard to get to and no foreign tourists.  Very popular with Thai tourists and my home in the semi jungle is 2 minutes away from 4-5 star scenic restaurants and most things I desire.  

 

As perfect as it is here for me, I think it would be no fun for a single guy unless you enjoy incredible hiking and lounging riverside, can spend weeks/months alone without having a buddy to meetup with, and have a hobby that will keep you somewhat grounded and focused. 

 

Newbies  have a vision of the easy life here in Thailand emersed in the culture that is OK until it becomes obvious, usually within a month or two, that they are living an inexpensive  pathetic life.  The wow factor wears off quickly and then you're left with what?

[Harrisfan]

9 hours ago, Boxenluder said:

but I’m itching to finally see more of LOS than the usual touristy places. I

If it was me and you get free rent then Roi Et. Hire a car. Without a car either place will be boring in a week. 

[KhunLA]

Unless you know where exactly in either area, it's a toss up.

[SAFETY FIRST]

On 7/25/2025 at 11:15 PM, Boxenluder said:

Roi Et or Chum Phae?

You have provided regions, not specific locations. 

Look for shopping centres, transport etc. things that will make your life easier. 

I like Roi Et, I fly there most months. 

 

I've travelled and worked around Thailand, I'd say Roi Et city is one of the nicest cities in Thailand. 

 

I prefer being near the beach, less than 2 hours from Bangkok airport. 

 

 

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Look for shopping centres, transport etc.

And Roi Et has a decent shopping center with Robinson, TOPS etc.

Four flights daily to Bangkok.

[Boxenluder]

On 7/26/2025 at 5:11 AM, KhunLA said:

Unless you know where exactly in either area, it's a toss up.

 

Sorry, should have clarified it would be the capitals. I wouldn't want to start my Isaan experience in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, though I know both towns aren't exactly big either.

[Harrisfan]

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

You have provided regions, not specific locations. 

Look for shopping centres, transport etc. things that will make your life easier. 

I like Roi Et, I fly there most months. 

 

I've travelled and worked around Thailand, I'd say Roi Et city is one of the nicest cities in Thailand. 

 

I prefer being near the beach, less than 2 hours from Bangkok airport. 

 

 

Are they many restaurants there? I did not find much.

[Harrisfan]

13 minutes ago, Boxenluder said:

 

Sorry, should have clarified it would be the capitals. I wouldn't want to start my Isaan experience in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, though I know both towns aren't exactly big either.

Roi Et has a few dozen farangs. I enjoyed my first 2 days there. After that it seemed like any small town. The lake area is nice in the centre of town.

[SAFETY FIRST]

25 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Are they many restaurants there? I did not find much.

If you drive around the lake, past the tower, there's lots of Western and Thai restaurants.

 

This is a good Thai restaurant, not too far from the lake. That's my car (new Toyota) parked outside the Honda dealership.

I pick it up from the airport, 1000 baht a day.  

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xyUUJVcv5SCuG3oD7

 

 

 

 

[Liquorice]

35 minutes ago, Boxenluder said:

Sorry, should have clarified it would be the capitals. I wouldn't want to start my Isaan experience in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, though I know both towns aren't exactly big either.

Roi Et is a large Province, which district?
Chum Phae is a district of Kohn Kaen, somewhat out in the sticks.

 

You need to find out the districts and sub-districts, ideally as to where you would be.

[Liquorice]

14 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Roi Et has a few dozen farangs.

Roi Et has hundreds of local foreigners.

 

18 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Are they many restaurants there? I did not find much.

What, there are dozens of restaurants in Roi Et city.

There are two specific foreigner hangouts that supply English meals at any time.
 

[Harrisfan]

4 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Roi Et has hundreds of local foreigners.

 

What, there are dozens of restaurants in Roi Et city.

There are two specific foreigner hangouts that supply English meals at any time.
 

Mexican? French? Italian? I meant like variety. We walked the lake area. Didnt find many options. Went 500m away to some place with nice chicken and pork.

[KhunLA]

47 minutes ago, Boxenluder said:

Sorry, should have clarified it would be the capitals. I wouldn't want to start my Isaan experience in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, though I know both towns aren't exactly big either.

Yea, those 2 are about as pretty laid back as you can get, or want to be.  Only been to Roi Et (town) once, and hung out lakeside.  Wife & kid did the aquarium & paddle boats, while I just knock around the lake area, settling in at an ice cream shop.    Nuff said there. 

 

Attractions seem to be a pile of old blocks and rocks in field, billed as Khmer ruins 

 

Not sure what else we really did or saw, or ate, as the whole area, 3 or 4 provinces got to be one of the most boring area in Thailand.  Remember we spent one night at Kalasin, lakeside.   Explored the area that day and next, but that's about it.   

 

Driven though more than few times on the way to the river or Phanom Rung Hist. Park.  Aside from PRHP, Phimai Hist. Park was a couple of the only things of interest, and that's if history interest you.  Go to Phimai first, as smaller.

 

That's been at least 15+ yrs ago, so not much help.  Stopped to peek at to many things, that were a waste of time.  Except for 2 historic parks mentioned.  Both having decent museums.  More than a stones throw from Roi Et though.

 

Like hwy 12 between KK & Phitsanulok, though CP isn't that far from KK town.   If choosing CP, then on the way, Greenleaf Hydrofarm & Restaurant over by KK airport is well worth a stop. 

 

One of the consistently best restaurants we've eaten at, though been 10 yrs at least since last visit.   Use to have a branch at Udon Thani, but cheap Charlies wouldn't support it, and rents got silly, so they closed up shop.  ฿150 for a plate of food (Salmon), in a spotless, AC'd venue, was way too expensive for them back then 

 

GreenLeaf ...

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Greenleaf+Hydrofarm+%26+Restaurant/@16.4570161,102.7781413,2575m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x312261c739d75aa1:0xfed8479391e7df53!8m2!3d16.455786!4d102.78461!16s%2Fg%2F1tgcpbbl?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

 

[Liquorice]

8 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Mexican? French? Italian? I meant like variety. We walked the lake area. Didnt find many options. Went 500m away to some place with nice chicken and pork.

English, USA, German, Scandinavians mainly, with a bunch of bassets allsorts thrown in.

[Harrisfan]

51 minutes ago, Boxenluder said:

 

Sorry, should have clarified it would be the capitals. I wouldn't want to start my Isaan experience in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, though I know both towns aren't exactly big either.

What are you looking to do? The only Isaan city I enjoy for more than a week is Udon. It has plenty of things to do. Even Thais say cities like Roi Et and Nong Khai are boring. 

[Hummin]

On 7/25/2025 at 6:15 PM, Boxenluder said:

A friend’s mother-in-law owns houses in Roi Et and Chum Phae, where I could stay for an extended period, practically for free. I’ve never been to Isaan and don’t know a soul in either place, but I’m itching to finally see more of LOS than the usual touristy places. I’m also keen to learn some Thai while I’m there, so I can at least communicate at a bare minimum. 

 

My plan would be to stay for two months in the first instance, and longer if I really like it. Rather than spending one month in each place, I’d prefer dipping my feelers in one place for both initial months.

 

Assuming the skirmish with Cambodia blows over, or at least won’t extend to these areas, which place would you Isaan connoisseurs out there recommend?

I remember my first visit to Isan, and couldn't get out of there fast enough, but I was on a mission to get to know my now wife's family. A great investment for future. 

 

When that is said, I started to fix things and kept myself busy, and also travelled quite a bit in the neighborhood and other surrounding districts

 

I never thought I was going to move there, but it grew on to me, and it helps when you have no neighbours. 

 

Good luck it will for sure be a memory for life 😉

[RAZZELL]

Roi Et town has a big University and a few Thai bars.

[Hummin]

16 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Mexican? French? Italian? I meant like variety. We walked the lake area. Didnt find many options. Went 500m away to some place with nice chicken and pork.

Nothing to be found on Google maps either? 

[Hummin]

I have to add, I wouldn't done it as single. I would had bought myself a motorbike and traveled the coast line instead, and visited a few laid-back Islands. Isan is only because you have a partner already. Met some few single fellows in the larger Isaan cities, but they are either a teacher or some kind of individuals  with strong characteristics. 

 

I wouldn't care about living for free, because there is no such thing as for free, it will always comes with strings one way or the other. 

 

How old is this mother in law?