Isaan Tourist Things To Do

[daveh]

I've never been up to Isaan before, although I am intrigued about it.

Are there tourist things to do in Isaan? Site seeing? Good national parks?

For a first time visitor to that region, what must he see and do?

Thanks,

Dave.

[GooEng]

khao yai national park is worht looking at and is situated just beside the town of pak chong. although pak chong boasts it is the gateway to isaan it think it could be agrued quite convincingly that isaan doesn't properly begin until you get beyond korat.

my favourite isaan experiencees were in the area close to suwannaphum in roi et province and close to 20 years ago, and it was the peace, tranquility and striking emerald green colour of the endless rice paddies that i loved - i am sure that kind of rural idyll is still easy to find up country - check that out.

[CelticBhoy]

Phu Pha Thoep National Park in

Mukdahan is well worth a walk

around. Great scenery.

[Gonsalviz]

Nam Nao NP.

Phu Kradeung.

[thrilled]

Check out udonthani.Plenty of things to do there.Then hop on up to Nongkhai ,plenty of things to do there also.

[ubonrthai]

Here are a few of my favorite locations in Ubon. There's a lot of nice places along the borders in Ubon. Pha Taem is another nice national park.

[skippybangkok]

1) ride a buffalo

2) get drunk on lao kao

3) try to borrow money from everyone you see

[youreavinalaff]

Khao Panom Rung and Prasart Hin Muang Tam, old Khmer Temple ruins, in Buriram are well worth a look.

Depending on what time of year you wanted to come there are also many festivals and parades in Issan that are very enjoyable.

[citizen33]

Lots of good suggestions already, but here are a few more than come to mind from central Isaan.

Two separate dinosaur museums in Khon Kaen and Kalasin provinces,

Monkey sanctuary at Kosum Phisai

Isaan traditional village museum and Prathat Nadoon, Amphur Nadoon, Mahasarakham Province.

Wat Nong Waeng Muang Kao, Khon Kaen (impressive tiered temple).

Phra That Choeng Chum, Sakon Nakhon (jedi)

Roi Et's central lake, Bueng Phalanchai and the nearby aquarium.

King Cobra village, near Wang Chai, Khon Kaen province

Lampao dam, Kalasin province

Ubolratana dam, Khon Kaen province

Edited November 2, 2011 by citizen33

[longstebe]

Phu Phan national Park, breath taking views of the basins and the hills towards Udon Thani.

[daveh]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really liked the idea of the temple ruins.

[diggledunc]

Check out website 'Birds Paradise Extreme' a bit different for Isan and not to far as a diversion from Udon Thani (which I think has improved a lot) and Nong Khai (lovely promenade now but still a bit of a pass through place).

[afarang]

Khao Phanom Rung is excellent, has been wonderfully restored.To see other Hindu temples not completely restored go look for Prasat Ta Muen , in Surin Province. Another restored temple is Khao Phrom Viharn, in Si Sa Ket province. Both were the scene of recent fighting between Cambodia and Thailand. Causing mass evacuations on the Thai side.but all quiet, now on "the Southern ( Western? ) front , now . No problems .Also Soi 1 in Ban Kruat, has a magnificent view of Cambodia, if you go to the border . Wonderful scenery on the drive to the border.