05 September 2022

While Thailand attracts travelers from around the world, many find themselves exploring the same well-trodden tourist zones. Yet the country still holds lesser-visited regions that allow visitors to immerse themselves in truly authentic Thailand. Such is the case with Isan. Here's more about this region brimming with surprises—perfect for those seeking to travel through Thailand off the beaten path…

A Few Words About Isan…

Situated in northeastern Thailand, bordering Laos and Cambodia, Isan is the country's largest region. Deeply intertwined with Laos and Cambodia through its history, this region is the product of significant cultural blending—evident in its languages, cuisine, traditions, and architecture. Primarily reliant on agriculture and handicrafts, Isan is Thailand's poorest region. Many residents leave in search of work and better opportunities in the islands or the capital. Yet if Isan is economically modest, it is culturally rich. Visitors often call it Thailand's best-kept secret.

What to See and Do When Traveling Through Isan?

Traveling through Isan means stepping into timeless Thailand—a land still rooted in its customs and traditions. Beyond encountering genuinely warm-hearted people, you'll discover exceptional historical and religious sites and breathtaking landscapes. Here are the essential activities for your Isan journey:

Visit Khmer Temples and Ruins

The Isan region once belonged to the Khmer Kingdom from the 9th to the 13th century. This is why numerous Khmer temples and Angkorian-era vestiges are found in the southern part of the region today. Khmer temples and ruins are primarily located in the provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima (Isan's regional capital) and Buriram.

Among the must-see Khmer temples in Isan is the famous Prasat Hin Phimai, which is said to have even served as a model for Cambodia's construction. Other notable sites include Prasat Hin Muang Tam, Khao Phra Wihan, the mysterious Wat Pa Sak nestled within the forest, and the magnificent Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung temple, built atop an ancient volcano.

Discover the Region's Prehistoric Sites Traveling Through Thailand Differently: Discovering Isan

While Khmer influence is an integral part of Isan's history, the region also harbors treasures far older. Indeed, Isan contains extraordinary prehistoric sites! The most renowned archaeological site is Ban Chiang. It is considered Southeast Asia's largest archaeological site, where researchers have uncovered traces of irrigated rice cultivation, livestock domestication, terracotta work, and metal smelting, as well as funeral ruins. Its museum is particularly celebrated for its magnificent ceramic vessels decorated with red motifs.

Other archaeological sites to explore during an Isan trip include the Ban Prasat site, which contains 3,000-year-old skeletons and pottery; Pha Taem National Park, which houses rock paintings dating back 2,000 to 3,000 years; and Phu Wiang National Park, known notably for the discovery of a Siamotyrannus fossil—a dinosaur dating back 110 million years!

Marvel at Natural Treasures

Traveling Through Thailand Differently: Discovering Isan

Isan is home to numerous parks and natural wonders that delight nature lovers and hikers. Here are the primary natural sites to discover during your Isan stay:

• Khao Yai National Park: a true green lung of Isan, spanning four provinces, this park contains nearly 20 waterfalls. It is home to numerous wild animals including elephants, monkeys, deer, and wild boar, plus over 2,000 plant species!
• Phu Kradung National Park: particularly renowned for its viewpoints, waterfalls, and rugged terrain.
• Phu Rea National Park: for hiking enthusiasts, this park offers the chance to climb Phu Ruea summit (1,065 m), offering unique views of Laos and the Mekong River.
• Pha Taem National Park: bordered by the Mekong, this park offers magnificent vistas of the river. It's also worth visiting for its wildlife and flora, waterfalls, mushroom-shaped rock formations, and rock paintings.
• Sam Phan Bok: nicknamed Thailand's Grand Canyon or "the gorge of three thousand holes," Sam Phan Bok is a series of rocky dunes located on the Mekong's banks. You can observe a myriad of holes—each with the most unusual shapes—formed by water and seasonal floods.

Discover Isan's Agricultural Landscapes and Local Crafts Traveling Through Thailand Differently: Discovering Isan

Isan is a region of agriculture and handicrafts, which are indeed its primary sources of income. During your stay, we encourage you to stroll between flooded rice paddies, walk through cassava and sugarcane fields, and watch buffalo plow the rice paddies… For a truly distinctive experience, we suggest touring the rice fields by local sidecar. You might also stay with a local family to share warm moments with the community and learn more about their daily life.

Regarding local crafts, Isan is renowned as a land of weavers, silk manufacturers, and artisans with remarkable skills. You can, for instance, visit a silkworm farm and follow every step of production, try your hand at weaving and dyeing, or learn the techniques behind gong or khit (traditional cushion) making.

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, listen, and understand. For her, travel is not about checking countries off a map, but about weaving connections—often invisible yet always powerful—with places, peoples, and all manner of creatures in the animal kingdom. Her creed? Advising travelers with integrity, raising their awareness of animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble, sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories often bloom far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a trail, during a conversation, or in the quiet whisper of a world we finally take time to hear…