Cities of Issan
Issan (Northeast Thailand), is very different from Thai stereotype images. The provinces of Issan, which chiefly relies upon agriculture, shares its border with Laos and Cambodia and the Mekong River. The culture, people, dress and language of Issan display the ongoing influence of its neighbours till this day and are as varied as its major cities of Issan are:
Khon Kaen, in central Issan, is not only a gateway to the neighbouring countries but also the commercial hub of North-Eastern Thailand. Khon Kaen is known for its production of Mudmee silk, as well as for being the home of the largest university in the North East.
The ecotourism city of Loei is located in Northern Isaan. Surrounded by mountain ranges with cloudy summits, the area’s rich natural beauty can best be admired from one of the majestic mountains such as Phu Ruea, with its pine-clad plateau rising 1,370 metres above sea level. The Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary is even higher up, at an elevation of 1,550 metres, and is abundant with various kinds of flora and fauna.
Nakhon Ratchasima, more commonly called Korat, is the second largest city in the Isaan region. In the city, symbols of various religions co-exist peacefully: Wat Phra Narai Maharat, an image of Narayana (Hindu God) made of sandstone, is considered to be the major sacred object of the city, whereas Phra Non Sema, a reclining Buddha image made of red sandstone, is the oldest and largest in all of Thailand, dating back to about 1,200 BC.
Nong Khai, in Northern Isaan, lies on the western bank of the Mekong River, very close to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The quiet town is strongly influenced by its Laotian, Chinese and Vietnamese communities.
The tallest standing Buddha image in the world, Phra Phuttha Rattana Mongkhon, which reaches nearly 68 metres into the sky, is found in Roi Et. The pretty lake in the town centre is an attraction for young and old alike. Further northeast is the Pha Nam Yoi Forest Park, which includes a large cliff with small springs and a large hillside monastery.
Surin, which borders on Cambodia, is best known for its annual Elephant Show, held in the third week of November. The event attracts visitors from all over the world to see the more than 100 trained elephants playing tug-of-war, demonstrating their load carrying abilities and parading around town fitted out for medieval warfare.
Ubon Ratchathani – shortened to “Ubon” has many natural attractions: ancient cliff drawings at Pha Taem and Pha Mon, spectacular national parks like Kaeng Tana or Pha Taem, and waterfalls, such as the Tat Ton. The town is also known for the Candle Festival, an annual celebration held at at Thung Si Muang in July, where one highlight is the “candle tree” competition.
The busy town of Udon Thani is the fourth largest city in Thailand and surrounded by one of the country’s major agricultural areas. It is best known for the archaeological site Ban Chiang, which archaeologists, having unearthed traces of the 5,000-year old first Bronze Age civilization of the world, consider to be the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in Southeast Asia. Udon Thani also serves as a gateway to the D.P.R. of Laos due to its closeness to its capital, Vientiane, and there is regular border traffic both ways.
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