Had a brief visit to Issan last year and enjoyed the following

Nong Khai sculpture park

Korat zoo and water park

watched Buriram united play football

This year I plan on going to the Surin elephant festival.

What recommendations do you have on things to see and do in Isaan, no matter how big or small, or even just a good photo opportunity?

A couple of days ago we went to the Preah Vihear Temple ( Khao Phra Wiharn) on the cliffs overlooking Cambodia. We took the road thru Kantharalak but we learnt later from some of the army guys that if we had have taken the earlier turn-off we could have actually seen the temple itself. It was still worthwhile .

Incidently we stayed at the Hotel/Motel in Sangkha called the Maneesangkha - 450 per night for a good basic Thai hotel. Very clean too but not available on Agoda.

Ubon Ratchatani candle festival - photographers love it. Google it.

Youll have to wait a bit - its held on the last new moon in July.

Any longer trip to Ubon should take up a visit to Southern Laos - bus from Ubon to Savannakhet. Down river on a boat to Champusak temple and then down to the `4,000 islands` in the lower Mekong. Very photogenic.