Travel to isan thailand. Travel along the mekong river in eastern thailand

The Kingdom, as Wikipedia says until 1939, was called Siam- the state of Southeast Asia, located in the southwestern part of the Indochina peninsula and in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. Bordered to the east by Cambodia and Laos, in the west with Myanmar, and in the south with Malaysia. The name (the word “thai” (ไทย) means “freedom”) justifies itself: it is the only country in Southeast Asia that has retained its independence from European states, while all neighboring states were colonies of France or Great Britain. "" (Thailand) - a Germanized version of the name of the country, introduced into use in the 1930s, - means "country of the Thais", the Thai version sounds like "Prathet Thai". The monetary currency is the Thai baht, though baht exchange rate has changed a lot against the ruble lately. Our fellow citizens, especially those who have heard by hearsay, have a strong opinion that the country is depraved and transvestites. This is not true, yes there are a number of Go-Go bars in Bangkok on the Nana Plaza and Alley cowboy, Phuket and of course in Pattaya famous all over the world for carrots. But this is not all, far from all! There are 75 provinces in the country and they are all completely different, different climates, different tribes and nationalities, different cuisines, but I can say with confidence that they do not equally accept those things that you can see in Ptt on Walken Street.

Central Thailand

Central Thailand (Thai ประเทศไทยภาคกลาง) covers the territory from the western mountains on the border with Myanmar to the northeastern plateau in the east and includes 26 provinces. Central Thailand is considered to be the cultural heart of the country. It is currently the most affluent and lively region in Thailand. There are a number of interesting cultural monuments here: Ayutthaya (Ayutthaya) - the pearl of Thailand, the old capital of the kingdom; Lopburi - the city where the famous Khmer complex "Temple with three towers" (Prang Sam Yod) is located; Nakhon Pathom - the place where the ancient stupa Phra Pathom Chedi stands, the largest in the country and others, others. Between Kanchanaburi and the border with Myanmar, there are seven reserves and national parks with a total area of almost 10,000 km2. There are many resorts on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand. The most famous and oldest is Hua Hin, where the residence of the king is located.

Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand (Thai. ภาคเหนือ) is an integral part of the legendary Golden Triangle, the cradle of Thai civilization. The nature of Northern Thailand is represented mainly by wooded mountains, which are the beginning of the Himalayas, and fertile river valleys. The average height above sea level is 1500 m, the highest point is Mount Doiinthanon (2565 m). In former times, the slopes of the mountains were covered with dense forests. Northern Thailand is a teak region where elephants still work in the forest. The first civilization to have an impact on the North of Thailand was Haripunjaya, a Mon state that was founded in Lamphun in the late 8th and early 9th centuries. Maintaining strong ties with the Mon kingdoms in the south, it remained the cultural and religious center of the North for centuries. The Thais came here after the Mons, having migrated from China in the 7th-11th centuries, and founded small principalities in the northern regions. In 1238, the first truly independent Thai kingdom of Sukhothai was formed. During his time, the Thai alphabet was created and from where traditional Thai art originates. Most of the territory of Northern Thailand is once an independent state. Chief among the Thai settlers was King Mengrai, who, shortly after the founding of the state of Sukhothai, began to organize a similar unified state in the North. In 1292, Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Rai in the southwest and moved the capital there. Expanding the territory of the principality, Mengrai in 1296 founded the city of Chiang Mai (“new city”), which became the capital of the state of Lannathai (“Country of a million rice fields of Thais”). Mengrai, connected by family ties with all the rulers of the neighboring Thai principalities and the only one of the Thai princes, descended in a straight line from the rulers of the old Chiangsen, achieved recognition as the supreme ruler of all Thais in the region, united, reconciled among themselves or conquered the surrounding Thai principalities and was crowned as the first king of the Lannathai state. This state is sometimes called the kingdom of Chiang Mai. Dying, Mengrai established a new dynasty, which was destined to see a two-century period of incomparable flourishing of both culture and art. After the expansionist rule of Teelok (1441–1487), weak, petty kings followed in succession, while Ayutthaya continued its hostile advance northward. But the Burmese finally ended the existence of the Mengrai dynasty, who captured Chiang Mai in 1558 and, with the help of puppet rulers, controlled the territory of Lanna for the next two centuries. In 1767, the Burmese destroyed the Thai capital of Ayutthaya, but the Thais quickly gathered forces under the command of King Taksin, who, with the help of King Lamnang Kavila, gradually drove the Burmese to the North. In 1774, King Kavila retook the ruined Chiang Mai and set about rebuilding it. The city was supposed to play the role of the new capital. After Kavila, inept princes ruled the North until the second half of the 19th century, when colonists appeared. Britain took over Upper Burma, and Bangkok's Rama V began to show interest in the northern territories, where the British had had a lucrative logging and transport business since the signing of the unequal treaty in 1855. The king wanted to avoid joining. He forcibly resettled a number of ethnic Thais to the North in order to resist British demands for sovereignty over the territory occupied by Thaii (Shan), where there were many inhabitants from Upper Burma. In 1877, Rama V appointed special commissioners for Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lamnang to better unite the region and the centre. These links were strengthened in 1921 when a railway was built to Bangkok. Since then, the North, based on its agricultural abundance, has become a truly prosperous region.

Isan

Isan (Thai: ภาคอีสาน) is a region on the arid lands of the Korat sandy plateau, northeast Thailand. Isan includes 20 provinces. The name Isan comes from the Sanskrit "Ishan" and means "to the northeast". This is an agricultural region, a country within a country. Local residents are mainly engaged in the cultivation of agricultural products. The population mainly speaks Isan (a dialect of Lao), as well as Lao and Khmer. There are very few tourists visiting the region.

Southern Thailand

Southern Thailand (Thai. ประเทศไทยภาคใต้) is located on the Malay Peninsula and covers an area of 70,713 km². Southern Thailand stretches from Chumphon to Malaysia. The narrowest part of the peninsula is the Kra Isthmus, which marks the northern border of Southern Thailand. The western coast is dominated by steep banks, while the eastern part is dominated by plains and river valleys. The largest river is the Tapi in Suratthani Province, which has a basin of about 8,000 square kilometers, so that the river basin occupies about 10% of the area of Southern Thailand. The largest lake is Songkhla with an area of 1040 km². In addition, there is the Jiao Lan reservoir, whose area is 165 km². It is also home to the Khao Sok National Park, located in Surat Thani Province. Southern Thailand is home to many of Thailand's most famous resorts. The south of the country is inhabited by Thais and peoples of Malay origin. Islam is highly developed.

My Travels in Thailand:

Many have heard the word Isan, but do not even know what it is. This is the name of the northeast of Thailand, which includes 20 provinces. But we will visit only Nakhon Ratchasima, the largest in the country and the most saturated with various interesting sights. The trip is designed for 2 days and 1 night, but if you want to visit one of the largest and most interesting national parks at the same time, then you can travel longer.

On the first day we will visit the Chachoengsao province, see many interesting sights, and spend the night in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. The next day we travel through this province in the morning and return to Pattaya in the evening.

Our journey begins with a visit to the majestic Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, which is located on the west bank of the Bang Pakong River. The temple is always crowded with worshipers who come from faraway parts of Thailand to pay their respects to Luang Pho Sathon (Honorary Father Sathon) as well as 20 other Buddha images. In this temple, it is customary to present chicken eggs to the Buddha, if on your previous visit to this temple, the Buddha heard and fulfilled your requests and prayers.

Then we go to the largest exhibition of sand figures. The exhibition is located on the territory of 20,000 sq. meters and on this area of 4000 tons of sand, the world's leading sculptors have created many architectural compositions, recognizable characters from films and myths.

We visit the ancient Chinese temple Thep Thawi Chaivaphon, which is over 100 years old and was built during the reign of the great king Rama 5. In the temple, antiquity is seen in everything, in architecture, in statues, in paintings and other things.

We go to the so-called pink Ganesha at the Wat Saman Rattanaram temple, on the way we look at the dam on the Bang Pakong River. In the temple on the river bank there are unusual statues of Erawan (three-headed elephant), pink Ganesha and Vishnu (gods from Indian mythology), the goddess Guanin (Chinese goddess of well-being). The fencing of the river is made of their huge dragons, and a giant lotus floats on the river.

Our next stop is the Parrot and Palm Park!!! The largest bird park and palm garden in Thailand with hundreds of beautiful tropical parrots as well as other birds and animals from all over the world. In the farm's incubator, you can see the whole process of the birth of parrots, and you can buy one of them in a local store. The territory is quite large, there are many aviaries with parrots and other birds, various reservoirs with waterfowl, beautiful palm gardens, a hotel under construction from Thai-style houses, so you can walk around the park, and you can also rent a golf cart.
Parrot park website http://www.suanpalmfarmnok.com/

On the way to the golden temple, we stop at an unusual temple to the statue of the black multi-armed Ganesha, this temple is still under construction, but the monumental statue, which can be seen from afar in the area, is worth a visit!

The golden temple of Wat Pak Nam is notable for the fact that it is covered with golden paint everywhere inside and out. Very unusual for Thailand and will certainly make an unforgettable experience.

And the last point of our visit today will be the extraordinary temple of Wat Pho Bang Khla, where hordes of flying foxes hang around on all the surrounding trees. It is amazing that foxes live in trees inside the temple and nearby, and nowhere else can they be found in such numbers! Then we move to the city of Nakhon Ratchasima for an overnight stay.

Day 2
In the morning of the next day, a walk through the historical center of the city, a visit to the museum in the remains of the city wall, a visit to the royal temple in this province of Wat Phayap and an examination of the stunning man-made cave made by the monks on the temple grounds.

We are going to the village of Baan Prasat, where archaeological excavations were carried out and it will be very interesting to see how archaeologists have designed this extraordinary place. We visit a small museum and several archaeological sites that are left as they were found. A very unusual performance.

After admiring the bones and shards, we go to the ancient temple of Phimai, built by the Khmers (Cambodia today) when in those days this current territory of Thailand belonged to the Khmer Empire. The Phimai Temple occupies a decent territory, the impressive Prang and other buildings on the territory, although this building is already quite a few years old. The beginning of the construction of this temple dates back to the 6th century and was completed in the 14th century AD, but the Thai people look after and make sure that everything does not fall apart completely.

And now, our next point of visit, one of the most beautiful mosaic temples, built in 2013 and where smart cards are used to pay for donations. One of the most famous and revered monks in Thailand lives here and this beauty was built under his patronage. You can talk about the temple itself, the history of its construction and what the mosaics and paintings inside tell about for a very long time, so admire the photos, and if you decide to go there, then I will tell you all this.

Driving along the highway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, the eye clings to the spiers of the Wihan Luang Pho To Pheom Ransi temple peeking out of the greenery. As you drive closer, you are left speechless at the sight of the “chic” temple, which sparkles like a diamond jewelry. Unlike any other traditional Thai temple, it regally sits amidst a luxurious park with meandering canals, swan ponds and green arches. The interior of the temple is rather ascetic: in the central part sits a huge statue of a revered monk, to which parishioners bring alms in an endless stream.

Museum of Iron Figures
On the opposite side of the road from the Wihan Luang Pho temple, a powerful dragon figure, assembled from many steel parts from old cars, motorcycles and bicycles, attracts attention - with its grandeur, it lures drivers and their passengers to the Museum of Iron Figures. Being on the territory of the museum, you are lost from the abundance of popular movie heroes and characters made in the style of "dragon". All these gears, radiators, bolts, nuts, shock absorbers… merge so harmoniously that the figures seem to be alive.

Cost: trip for 2 days (1 night) 8000 baht for a group of up to 4 people (without the cost of hotels, meals and entrance fees). The approximate cost of all entrance tickets is 450 baht per person. The minimum cost of living in hotels is from 400 baht for double rooms, depending on the location and season.

The famous Luang Prabang. However, these are all Lao adventures. And we travel around Thailand by car and explore the province of Lei (Lei), so rich in sights. The route of the trip passes through the Mekong valley. And the program of our tour includes a waterfall, views of the Mekong and embankments, rural Thai villages, fishermen and a beautiful sunset. Let's start the journey!

The amazing Mekong River, which begins its journey on the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, flows through China. And then, separating two states - Thailand and, carries its troubled waters across Cambodia, so that, finally, the Mekong Delta collapses into the South China Sea in Vietnam. The long path of the river is amazing - it flows over the surface of the planet for 4350 km and takes 11th place in the list of the longest rivers in the world.

Mekong map

Isn't it worth getting to know this river better, if possible? We decided to go on a tour of the Mekong and observe its course and change.

Isan - eastern Thailand

The tour passes through two provinces - Nong Khai and Loei, which are located in a special region of Thailand. Eastern Thailand is called Isan, or Isaan. Why is he special? This area has historically been closer to Laos, and was once part of Laos. And in more ancient times, it was part of the great state of Lansang with the capital Luang Prabang, and once a valuable statue was kept there, which now lives in the Royal Palace of Bangkok.

In Isan, everything is different - people are closer ethnically to the Laotians, they speak in dialects of Lao. Travelers to Isan should ideally know both Thai and Lao, as the locals themselves very rarely speak English. By the way, in South Isan, closer to the border with, people already speak dialects of the Khmer language. Thus, Isan is the most non-Thai region of the country. And if they say about Northern Thailand that it is there that Thailand is real, then here it is not only not real, it is not Thailand at all.

Isan cuisine is also famous, it differs from the usual Thai. Folk costumes are more like Laos. For example, I bought a beautiful skirt here, exactly the same as I once wore in Laos when visiting temples.

Read also:

Me in a Laotian skirt in Kammouan province in Laos. the same skirts are worn in Isan

Girls from Isan

There is another feature of Isan, much more piquant. Most of the girls who work prostitutes in Pattaya, come precisely from the poor families of Isan. This is how their fate develops, that apart from offering their services to wealthy European and American tourists in the hope of marrying someone who, captivated by the magic of Thailand, wants to leave everything and stay, they do not.

Here is such a different and controversial Isan, so let's get acquainted with its northern part, driving along the road along the Mekong.

Tour route along the Mekong River

The tour passes through two provinces - Nong Khai and Loei
Tour length - 120 km on route 211
Buses run between cities
The distance between Chiang Khan and Pak Chom can be covered by river by hiring a longtail boat
All cities on the Mekong River and even between them have restaurants where you can dine
In Chiang Khan, Pak Chom, Sangkhom and Si Chiang Mai there are guesthouses where you can spend the night.

A typical route along the Mekong as follows:

Chiang Khan (Chiang Khan) is a sleepy, but beloved by Thais, town with an excellent walking street and a promenade, where tourists tired of the heat come to relax, enjoy the coolness and admire the Mekong and, of course, buy a ton of souvenirs and have a good meal.
Pa Baen (Pha Baen) - people come to this picturesque village for the chance to see wooden architecture and impressive views of the river.
Pak Chom (Pak Chom) - this town was marked by a large camp for refugees from Laos in the 70s and 80s, when people began to leave Laos after the overthrow of the monarchy in 1975. Now this typical village, like all others, is remarkable for its wooden houses and views of the main river of Southeast Asia.
Ban Mueang (Ban Muang) - here it is customary to watch fishermen who cast their nets and rejoice that this fate has escaped travelers and they can buy fish either from the same fisherman, or in a supermarket, or by ordering it in a restaurant.
Waterfall Tang Type (Than Thip Falls) is a pretty waterfall near the city of Sangkhom, with several pools where you can stop and cool off during an exciting tour.
Sangkhom (Sangkhom) is a favorite village of backpackers who like to settle in bamboo huts on the banks of the river.
Tan Tong Waterfall (Than Thong falls) 10 km east of Sangkhom in easy accessibility from the highway.
Wat Hin Mak Peng Temple (Wat Hin Mak Peng) is a forest monastery popular with pilgrims right on the river bank.
Si Chiang Mai (Si Chiang Mai) - a feature of this city is the presence catholic cathedral where Laotian Christians and Vietnamese refugees pray. Si Chiang Mai also gained fame as the largest manufacturer of wrapping leaves for spring rolls.

Travel route along the Mekong

There is always a reason to celebrate in Thailand

Mekong tour by public transport

Traveling is much easier if you have a car, but how do you get from one city to another without one? It turns out that this path can be done by public transport. It's all about the desire, the availability of time, readiness for adventure and openness.

To Chiang Khan can be reached from Loei, as well as from Bangkok and from the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. Buses mostly depart early in the morning around 6 o'clock, and also in the evening after 18.00.
From Chiang Khan to Pak Chom songteos go. You can also get to Pak Chom from Loei, the bus leaves at 6.00.
The buses are coming to Sangkhom from Nong Khai(at 7.30, 11.00 and 15.00) and from Loy. Buses heading towards Loei pass Songkhai at 10.30 and 14.00. The third bus, which passes here at 18.00, does not reach Loei, but stops at Pok Chom, which can be used when moving between cities on the Mekong River. Bus from Songkhom to Nong Khai leaves at 6.30, 11.30 and 16.00. Its cost is 60 baht, you will need to spend 3 hours on the way. He stops in Si Chiang Mai.
To Si Chiang Mai from Nong Khai can be reached by buses that run here several times a day between cities. They leave at 7.30, 11.00 and 15.00. A distance of 40 km can be covered in an hour and 40 baht. 60 baht to Sangkhom. The same buses actually go to Loei, except for the last one which stops at Pak Chom.

The beginning of the route along the Mekong River on the map

Travel around Isan along the Mekong River by car

We also decided to drive along Isan along the great Mekong. However, we did not start our journey from Chiang Khan, but from Si Chiang Mai, as we had just visited one of the most amazing sights in Thailand, the Pu Prabat historical park, located in the province of Udon Thani. So we're going in the opposite direction. We start from Si Chiang Mai and drive along the great river and see all the interesting things that we meet along the way.

Si Chiang Mai - views of Vientiane

And we start from the town of Si Chiang Mai, known for the fact that its embankment offers views not only of the Mekong separating Laos and Thailand, but also of the capital of a neighboring state, Vientiane. Before, before it was built Bridge of Friendship between Vientiane and Nong Khai, the only way to get to Laos was from here, by boat from Si Chiang Mai.

Sunny promenade in Si Chiang Mai

And on the other side of the river is the capital of Laos Vientiane

Retro installation on the embankment. That's what they've been living here lately

Video from the waterfront of the city of Si Chiang Mai with views of the Lao capital Vientiane

Sangkhom - a pleasant promenade

People come to Sangkhom with the intention of hanging out here for a week and living the leisurely life of the locals. There are several simple guesthouses in the city (especially praised Buoy Guesthouse), including the river. Fresh fish from the Mekong and homemade Mekong whiskey are what backpackers who come here are busy with.

This part of the country is still living in the past. There are no huge supermarkets here, the life of people is simple and unpretentious. One of the best photographers in my opinion Beboy, found his inspiration precisely in the landscapes and people of Sangkhom. After all, visiting here is like being transported many years ago in a time machine, to the idyll of rural river life.

Antique columns on the waterfront of Sangkhom

The Lao hills are visible in the distance

Tang Type waterfall in dry season

Tan Tip Waterfall is located 13 km from the city of Sangkhom. You need to turn off the main road at the sign to the left towards the mountains and drive 3 km through the villages. At the end of the road will be the entrance to the waterfall. Tan Tip is hidden in the jungle and banana groves. Two levels of the waterfall are available, to which a path leads, and then a staircase.

The first level of the waterfall is 30 meters. However, the second one falls off a 100 meter high cliff. But the third - from 70 meters. More experienced travelers can see the third one, hidden at the top of the hill. But for this you need to be an experienced hiker and skillfully climb mountains. They say that in fact the waterfall has five levels, but no one has definitely seen this.

In the dry season, the waterfall did not show all its beauty, but it was still very pretty.

The second cascade of Tang Tip waterfall in Isan

Restaurant overlooking the Mekong

The lovely owner made us rice with vegetables in a friendly manner, although he did not speak English. His prices are very democratic: for a large portion - 40 baht. And most importantly, it was nice to sit at a wooden table, look at the slow Mekong and enjoy everything that was happening. We also tried real coming from isan.

Lunch with a great view

Isan lunch with a view of the Mekong

Viewpoint Nong Pla Buek (NongPla Buek) near Ban Mueang village

Here mekong river shows a stone bottom, which is especially impressive during the hot season, when the bottom is almost completely exposed. We saw a similar picture during our trip to, which flows between and Thailand.

Stones at the bottom of the river

ghostly mekong

Photos of the Mekong turned out to be especially successful in the rays of the setting sun. We stopped in a village without a name for us, where local residents gathered under a sprawling tree and walked along the river embankment. We also could not resist and admired the main artery of Southeast Asia once again. And why not, since she is so beautiful?

Having stopped under the magnificent spreading bank, we went to look at the beauty of the main river of Southeast Asia

Lonely boat in the middle of the Mekong River in Isan

Throughout the Mekong there are islands of different sizes - from small ones, as shown in this photo, to huge ones where you can live, like in Laos

And on the other side of the small Laotian village

ghostly mekong

Fishermen in the river

Stopping again, we finally saw the promised fishermen, who were doing their usual thing - throwing a net into the river or sitting quietly with a fishing rod, falling asleep in their boat.

A fluffy island and a peaceful worker and family breadwinner at work

Fog descends on the Mekong River

Beautiful sunset in Chiang Khan

Arriving in Chiang Khan just in time for sunset, we saw how many Thai tourists are resting here. We all gathered on the embankment and saw how the muddy waters of the Mekong turned to gold and how the sun melted into a haze. Boats with happy vacationers drove along the river, and we stood and watched, thinking that another beautiful day had ended.

Sunset in Chiang Khan

golden mekong

Our impressions of the trip on the Mekong

Ride along Great Mekong seemed to us a worthwhile enterprise. Plunge into the unique atmosphere of the Thai-Lao hinterland, get acquainted with Isan region in eastern Thailand, ride along the Mekong Valley, stopping at beautiful viewpoints on the river - all this left an indelible impression. We took many photos along the way. And yet the best photos are not those that were on the film (flash drive), but those that remained only in memory. There was no way to capture. They slipped only for a moment, but it is these shots that will remain the best memories of the trip.

Despite the fact that, it would seem, we were driving and saw the same landscape - the waters of the Mekong and a strip of land in Laos on the other side, it should be noted that the embankments in each city are completely different. And this is their special charm.

Everywhere we were surprised. Apparently not used to farangs here in Isaan. Especially on the border with Laos, where travelers do not often get. The owner of the restaurant tried very hard to please and was glad that we liked his dish.

It was very exciting to get to know the Mekong again and see its new hypostasis, calm and beautiful.

Is it bad to do the same way 120 km on a bike?

Isan is a province in the northeastern part of Thailand. This is a great place to visit if you want to experience the real Thailand in a place that is not overrun by tourists. One of the reasons why relatively few travelers visit this province is that it is inland, away from the Thai coast, and therefore has no beaches. Instead, the area is hilly, even mountainous, full of small towns and villages. An interesting fact about Isan is that the local culture has developed from an eclectic fusion of Thai, Lao and Cambodian traditions. You are unlikely to find large five-star resorts here, but, nevertheless, you can find a very convenient place for yourself.

Isan is visited mainly by backpackers and adventurous tourists. Families with small children will not find here offers for organized recreation and the level of comfort they need. Travelers to Isan usually want to see as much as possible, spending only one or two nights in each city. To plan your trip, read about the province of Isan and its cities, which have both a traditional Thai atmosphere and interesting entertainment for the traveler.

Khon Kaen

Mittraphap Road, also known as Highway 2, is the road that brings tourists to Khon Kaen. This city is the center of Thai industry, especially silk production. Khon Kaen is also an educational center, so it's easy to find people who speak English here.

Loei

Surrounded by beautiful mountains and hills, Loei is located next to the Mekong River. This is the center of winemaking.

Nakhon Phanom

Nakhon Phanom is an exciting city heavily influenced by Lao culture. This is not at all surprising, given that the city is located near the Lao border.

Nakhon Ratchasima

Be sure to visit this city - the bustling capital of Isan Province.

Nong Khai

The beautiful scenery of the Mekong River is what characterizes Nong Khai.

Roi It (Roi Et)

Phra Rattana Phuttha Mongkhon, the largest Buddha statue in the world, is located in this city.

Surin

Surin is famous for its Khmer Temple. The city hosts an elephant parade every year.

Udon Thani

Visit Udon Thani and see the architectural excavations of Ban Chiang.

How to get here

Air travel is the fastest and most convenient way to reach these areas from Bangkok. If there are no flights, other options are bus or train. The bus is a cheaper form of transportation, moreover, it is regular, but the train is more convenient. The issue of housing is best addressed in advance, since this province does not have a developed tourist infrastructure. You can find a place to stay in most villages, although these will not be luxurious 5-star hotel rooms.

Food

The food in Isan province is different from what you can taste in the rest of Thailand. The influence of traditional Lao cuisine is evident. Som Tam, a dish very common in the area, consists of a salad made from unripe papaya. Most Thais are used to eating Som Tam with dried fish, but in Isan you will probably be served it with fresh fish or canned crab. Chicken and rice is another popular dish. Larb is a cold meat salad flavored with mint and citrus. Be warned - the local food is exceptionally spicy and spicy. You can even try adding (a little!) spice to your drink. Only the most courageous tourists are ready to taste the local favorite mix with orange juice and hot chili.

Entertainment

One of the most memorable activities in Isan is getting to know the locals and their culture. Other activities are mainly related to the exploration of amazing architecture and nature. There are many temples that are considered noteworthy places for tourists. We are talking about the temple of Si Saket (Si Saket temple), built from beer bottles or the temple of Chang Khan (Chiang Khan), located in the mountain. Phanom Rung is a historical park that houses several amazing Khmer temples. Phimai is a historical park that also contains interesting examples of Khmer architecture. In Nong Khai, it is worth seeing the unique statues of Sala Kaew Ku. For a change of pace, you can head to Khao Yai National Park to admire the local flora and fauna, as well as magnificent waterfalls. Isan is definitely worth a visit, but we recommend planning your trip in advance to see as much of it as possible. Rumor has it that traveling to northern Thailand can be dangerous, especially along the Cambodian border near Preah Vihear. Thai soldiers guarding the border periodically come into confrontation with the Khmer. And it's really not the best place for civilians to walk. The best advice is to learn about Isan from the news, be aware of the current political climate, and exercise extra caution.

Isan (spelling options: Issan, Isaan, Isarn, Esarn) is the northeastern region of Thailand. It occupies the entire Khorat Plateau, from the north and east it is bounded by the Mekong River, which separates Thailand and Laos, from the southeast by Cambodia, from the south by the mountains of Prachinburi, a province adjacent to Nakhon Ratchasime. From the west, Isan is separated from northern and central Thailand by the Phetchabun mountain range. Isan is not just a territory in Thailand, it is a whole culture that includes the Isan dialect of the language, Isan cuisine and much more.

Geography

The name "Isan", Under which this region has been officially known since the beginning of the twentieth century, comes from the Sanskrit "Ishan" (which means "to the northeast") or from "Isanapura" - the name of the capital of the kingdom of Chenla, which was once located on the territory Isana. The predominant occupation of the inhabitants of Isan is agriculture. The industry here is less developed than in other areas of Thailand - due to a number of socio-economic factors, as well as an extremely hot and dry climate. Despite the progress of the country as a whole, Isan remains the poorest region in Thailand.

Isan covers an area of 160,000 km2 (62,000 square miles), which is slightly larger than England and Wales combined, about half the size of Germany, four times the size of Switzerland, twice the size of Austria, and only twice the size of the US state of Maine. . The location roughly borders the Korat Plateau, which slopes from the Phetchabun mountain range, lying in the western part of the region (site of several national parks), down to the Mekong River. The plateau consists of two lowlands: the southern plain of Korat is drained by the Mun and Chi rivers, while the northern plain of Sakon Nakhon is drained by the Loei and Songkhram rivers. The two lowlands are separated from each other by the Phu Phan mountains. The soil is mostly sandy with solid salt deposits.

The Mekong forms much of the border between Thailand and Laos to the north and east of Isan, while the region borders Cambodia to the south. The main tributary of the Mekong through Thailand is the Mun River, which overflows its banks in Khao Yai National Park near Korat and flows eastward into the Mekong River in Ubon Ratchathani Province. Isana's other major river is the Chi, which flows through the central part of the region before turning south where it merges with the Mun in Sisaket province. The small rivers Loei and Songkhram are also tributaries of the Mekong, the former flowing north through Loei province, and the latter east through the provinces of Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai.
The average temperature range is from 30.2 C to 19.6 C. The highest recorded temperature was 43.9 C at Udon Thani, the lowest -1.4 C at Sakhon Nakhon Agro Station.

Language and Population

The people of this region are multinational: Lao, Vietnamese, Khmer, Mon, Cham and other peoples of the Thai group.

The main language of the local population, Isan, is a dialect of Lao, but it is written using the Thai alphabet, which is somewhat different from Lao. Isan belongs to the Chiang Seng and Lao Phutai language subgroups, which, together with Thai, are part of the Thai group of the Tai-Kadai family of languages. Most of the inhabitants of the region speak Lao (Lao), but do not consider themselves Laotians, but they do not fully rank as Thais either: they call themselves "Isans" - "Khon Isan" or "Tai Isan". Some part of the population of the southern regions of Isan speaks Khmer and the Suai language; their dialect and customs are much closer to Cambodian than to Thai or Lao. Khmer is widely spoken in the provinces of Buriram, Surin and Sisaket, which border Cambodia.

At the same time, almost everyone in Isan speaks Thai. Ethnically, many people in this region are Lao and are aware of this, however, Isan has long been an integral part of Thailand - both administratively and culturally - and even gave the country several prime ministers who were from Isan.

Seasons and weather conditions

The rains are unpredictable, but mostly concentrated during the rainy season from May to October. Average annual rainfall ranges from 2000mm in some regions to 1270mm in the southwestern provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen and Chaiyaphum. The rainy season begins with infrequent, short but heavy downpours; as a result, it rains very heavily for a long period of time and almost every day, usually in the afternoon or at night, until it ends abruptly at the very beginning of the cool season.

The other seasons are the cool season from October to February, when people come out of their houses and gather around fires in the evenings, and the hot season from February to May, with a sudden high temperature peak in April.

culture

Isan culture is predominantly taken from the Lao peoples and has much in common with neighboring Laos. The cultural closeness of the regions can be seen in the local cuisine, clothing, temple architecture, festivals and art.

The most characteristic and distinctive cultural features and traditions of Isan

"Mor Lam" (local folk music)
Thai boxing "Muay Thai"
Cockfights and colorful festive processions.

The traditional dress of Isan is the sarong. Women's sarong most often has an embroidered border along the hem, and men's - a checkered pattern. Men also wear pakama, a multifunctional piece of fabric that can be used as a belt, belt for money and documents, as a headdress for sun protection, as a hammock or swimwear. Isan is the main center for the production of Thai silk. Trade received a powerful boost in the post-war years when Jim Thompson made Thai silk popular in the West. One of the most famous types of Isan silk is mut mee, which is made from specially dyed threads to create geometric patterns.