Traditional Name Of Isaan Region?

[RY12]

It appears as if some people think the name "Isaan," which i guess implies Shiva of the Northeast, is itself part of the Thaification of the region to seperate its identity from Laos. The only alternative name for the area I've found is Khorat Plateau, but again, that refers to one city that's closest to BKK. Anyone know if Isaan has an older traditional name uninfluenced by politics? It must have been called something, because the name Isaan is only 200 years old I think.

[PREM-R]

You may like to contact ReCMeRT (Research Center for Mekong Region Tourism) at Khon Kaen University (Tel: 043202427) They have a number of CD Rom guides to Isaan and the surrounding areas some of which are available in English. The CD's outline the history of the towns and cities within the region and provide information for visitors such as bus services, hotels, restaurants and other useful information. I believe these CD's are available by post.

Hope this is of assistance to you

It appears as if some people think the name "Isaan," which i guess implies Shiva of the Northeast, is itself part of the Thaification of the region to seperate its identity from Laos. The only alternative name for the area I've found is Khorat Plateau, but again, that refers to one city that's closest to BKK. Anyone know if Isaan has an older traditional name uninfluenced by politics? It must have been called something, because the name Isaan is only 200 years old I think.

[disgruntled]

Try checking with the Khmers they used to own the place. I bet you will find an older name over there.

[phibunmike]

Try checking with the Khmers they used to own the place. I bet you will find an older name over there.

Most of Isaan was Laos, or perhaps more correctly Kingdom of Vientiane or Kingdom of Luang Prabang. I think only southern Isaan (around Surin) paid tribute to Khmer. Parts of Laos on the Thai side of the Mekong were grabbed by the French for Laos (as part of Indochina), e.g. Champasak (erstwhile Bassac), otherwise they would have ended up in Thailand.

When you go back more than 200 years there were not the countries we recognise now, but many local fiefdoms.

That is my understanding anyway, glad to be corrected.

Cheers,

Mike

[pgs]

Khmer were also around Chaiyaphum for a while: Phrang Ku, an ancient Khmer shrine is in Chaiyaphum. Chaiyaphum was a lesser city of the Khmer Empire when it was in the pinnacle of its power.