Northeastern Thailand, commonly known as Isan, is the largest region in the country, located on the Khorat Plateau (Isan Plateau). It spans 20 provinces, such as Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Buriram, Surin, Loei, and Nong Khai. The region borders Laos to the north and east and Cambodia to the south. The geography and location have shaped Isan into a land where Thai, Lao, and Khmer (Cambodian) cultures blend seamlessly. The majority of the population is of Lao descent or indigenous ethnic groups, developing a unique local identity. Although Isan was once viewed as a dry, underdeveloped, and impoverished region, it has seen significant growth and now attracts attention for both tourism and investment. The charm of Isan lies in its enduring folk culture, genuine and simple people, and bold, flavorful Isan cuisine that has gained global fame.
Isan is characterized by its vast plateau, known as the Khorat Plateau. The soil is relatively hard, with saline layers (salt crusts) underground in some areas. The uplands do not retain water well, making certain areas less fertile compared to the Central Plains. Most of the land sits 100-200 meters above sea level, with mountains along the plateau’s edges, such as the Phetchabun Range to the west, the Phu Phan Range running through the upper Isan, and the Dângrêk Mountains in the south along the Thai-Cambodian border. The region’s major river is the Mekong, which runs along the northern and eastern borders between Thailand and Laos. The Mekong creates many islets and sandbanks and nourishes fertile riverbanks in provinces like Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, and Ubon Ratchathani.
Isan’s climate is semi-arid tropical monsoon, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season runs from May to October, though rainfall is generally lower than in other regions, and droughts can occur early in the rainy season. The cool season (November to February) is dry and cool, with nighttime temperatures dropping below 15°C in upper areas such as Loei and Chaiyaphum. Cold winds from China can lower temperatures further, sometimes creating frost (Mae Khaning) on high mountains like Phu Luang in Loei. The hot season (March to April) is intensely hot and dry, with daytime temperatures reaching 40°C in some places. Humidity is lower than in the central region due to the lack of proximity to the sea, making the heat feel more intense. Overall, Isan’s climate is quite extreme—very hot in summer, cold in winter, and long dry spells. However, during the rainy season, the rain rejuvenates the fields and forests, turning them lush and green again.
Isan people’s way of life has traditionally revolved around agriculture and rural community living. Many work as farmers growing sticky rice, jasmine rice, cassava, sugarcane, and, in some areas, rubber trees. Life is simple, humble, and strongly community-oriented, with close ties among relatives and neighbors. The community practices “Huan Haeng” (mutual help), such as sharing labor during rice harvesting, fostering tight-knit unity. Isan society is rich in distinctive traditions, such as “Heet Sib Song, Khong Sib See,” which are 12-month customs guiding life through the year (e.g., Bun Khao Chi, Bun Bang Fai, Bun Khao Phansa, Bun Ok Phansa). These help maintain cultural cohesion and continuity.
Isan people deeply revere Buddhism and hold animist beliefs, especially in rural areas. Ceremonies like Baisri Su Kwan (soul-calling) are common, reflecting deep cultural roots. The main language spoken is the Isan dialect, closely related to the Lao language. It belongs to the Tai-Lao language family and resembles Vientiane Lao in accent and vocabulary. Common phrases include “Wao” (speak), “Saep” (delicious), “Bo” (no), and “Der” (a polite sentence-ending particle). The Isan language is a charming mark of local identity, though most people can also speak Central Thai fluently, especially younger generations and urban workers.
Isan folk culture is vibrant and diverse. Highlights include “Mor Lam” (folk singing with distinctive melody and vocal ornamentation, often a duet between male and female singers), “Pong Lang” (a folk band using traditional instruments like Kaen, Pong Lang, Phin, and Sor), and various folk dances like “Serng Bang Fai,” “Serng Kratib Khao,” and “Serng Sao Na,” reflecting rural life and festive joy. Isan is also famous for its handicrafts, such as silk and cotton weaving (e.g., Phrae Wa silk by the Phu Thai tribe in Kalasin, Mudmee silk in Surin and Khon Kaen), Dan Kwian pottery in Korat, and bamboo crafts like sticky rice baskets and mats. These crafts serve both daily use and as export products, bringing fame and income to the region.
Today, although many young Isan people move to Bangkok and other places for better economic opportunities, they maintain strong ties to their homeland, returning during Songkran and New Year to visit family, make merit, and join traditional festivals. They also often send money home, reflecting a culture of gratitude and filial piety. The saying “Born Isan, far from home but never forgetting one’s roots” shows deep attachment to their homeland.
Isan cuisine is renowned nationwide for its bold flavors, focusing on spicy, sour, and salty notes with simple yet intense seasoning. Sticky rice is the staple food, similar to Northern Thailand, eaten by hand and paired with various dishes, making the dining experience relaxed and enjoyable. Famous Isan dishes include:
Som Tum (Papaya Salad): A spicy salad of shredded green papaya mixed with chilies, garlic, palm sugar, fish sauce, or fermented fish (Pla Ra), often with tomatoes, long beans, and sometimes salted crab. Popular varieties include Tum Thai (without Pla Ra), Tum Pu Pla Ra (with crab and fermented fish), and Tum Sua (with rice noodles). Best enjoyed with sticky rice and grilled chicken.
Larb: A spicy minced meat salad (pork, beef, or chicken), cooked and mixed with fish sauce, lime juice, chili powder, toasted rice powder, and herbs like coriander, mint, and spring onion. It’s a must-have dish at celebrations. Variations include Larb Ped (duck larb) and Koi (often raw or semi-cooked meat salad popular in drinking circles).
Gai Yang (Grilled Chicken): Especially famous is Gai Yang Khao Suan Kwang from Khon Kaen, marinated with herbs and spices, then grilled over charcoal until crispy outside and tender inside. It’s usually served with Som Tum and sticky rice. Other grilled meats, like Korat beef, are also popular.
Jaew Bong: A thick chili paste made from fermented fish (Pla Ra), boiled and pounded with herbs like lemongrass, shallots, garlic, and chili powder. It’s used as a dip or seasoning and is a staple in Isan cuisine.
Om (Herbal Stew): A country-style stew of meat (chicken, pork, or fish) with mixed vegetables, seasoned with Pla Ra, chili, toasted rice, and herbs. It’s slightly thickened with toasted rice powder and has a rich, herbal aroma.
Other noteworthy dishes include Sup Nor Mai (bamboo shoot salad), Gaeng Perb (mixed vegetable curry), Koi Pla (raw fish salad), and Mok Huak (grilled tadpoles or small catfish wrapped in banana leaves). These reflect the creativity of using local ingredients, and Isan food has become integral to Thai dining culture, loved by locals and foreigners alike.
Isan is known for its Heet Sib Song, or the 12-month cycle of traditions, which are unique cultural practices rotating throughout the year and closely tied to agricultural life and religious beliefs. Many of Isan’s festivals are colorful, fun, and nationally renowned. Here are some of the most prominent festivals:
Candle Festival (Khao Phansa) – Ubon Ratchathani stands out with its Candle Festival during Buddhist Lent (July). Enormous, intricately carved candles are paraded through the city, with local communities and temples entering them into competitions to showcase their exquisite craftsmanship. In addition to the candle processions, there are traditional dances performed by beautifully dressed women in Isan attire, captivating all who watch. This festival draws large crowds of both Thai and international tourists to Ubon during Buddhist Lent each year.
Surin Elephant Round-Up – Held annually in November in Surin Province, this world-famous festival features hundreds of elephants demonstrating their abilities, such as elephant parades, tug-of-war between humans and elephants, and reenactments of ancient battlefield scenes with elephants and actors dressed as historical soldiers. There are also displays of Kui elephant trainers’ traditional ways of life and elephant rides for tourists. Besides providing entertainment, this event raises awareness about conserving Asian elephants, an important symbol of Thailand.
Other notable festivals include Bun Khun Lan (making merit after harvest), Bun Phawet (13-chapter sermon), Songkran (Thai New Year), Bun Khao Pradap Din (merit-making for spirits), Bun Ok Phansa (with spectacular illuminated boat processions on the Mekong in Nakhon Phanom), and more.
The Isan region is full of many interesting tourist attractions, including beautiful nature, charming local culture, and important historical sites. We recommend the following outstanding and worthwhile tourist attractions in the Isan region:
Khao Yai National Park – Although partially located in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), considered the gateway to Northeastern Thailand, Khao Yai is a world-class natural attraction. It spans a vast protected forest area across four provinces (Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, and Saraburi). The park features nature trails, wildlife observation points, and beautiful waterfalls such as Haew Suwat and Pha Kluai Mai Waterfalls. Khao Yai is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name “Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex.” Visitors love camping to observe wildlife like deer and wild elephants and to enjoy the park’s fresh air and pristine nature.
Phanom Rung Historical Park – Located atop Phanom Rung Hill in Buriram Province, this is one of Thailand’s most beautiful and well-preserved ancient Khmer temples. Built between the 10th and 13th centuries (15th–17th Buddhist centuries), it was dedicated to Lord Shiva in Hinduism. The temple is renowned for its exquisite Khmer architecture, particularly the famous lintel depicting “Narayana on Garuda.” Twice a year—in April (Thai New Year) and September (Sart Festival)—a spectacular phenomenon occurs when the sun rises and sets in perfect alignment through all 15 doorways of the temple, attracting many tourists and photographers. Phanom Rung is a priceless cultural heritage site that showcases the Khmer civilization’s influence in Southern Isan.
Chiang Khan, Loei Province – Chiang Khan is a charming small town on the Mekong River in Loei Province that has preserved its nostalgic ambiance. Its riverside street is lined with old wooden houses, now converted into guesthouses, shops, and chic cafés, all maintaining harmony with traditional lifestyles. Tourists enjoy strolling the evening walking street, sampling local dishes like Khao Pun Nam Jaew (rice noodles in broth), Kai Kata (pan-fried eggs), and traditional iced tea. At dawn, visitors can join the Lao-style sticky rice alms-giving ceremony, which remains a strong tradition. Another highlight is Phu Thok, a viewpoint where you can ride up to see the beautiful Mekong sea of mist at sunrise. Chiang Khan is a romantic and peaceful destination, perfect for relaxing and experiencing a simple riverside life.
Sam Phan Bok, Ubon Ratchathani Province – Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Mekong River,” Sam Phan Bok is located in Pho Sai District, Ubon Ratchathani. It is a vast sandstone reef beneath the Mekong River, carved by the water into over 3,000 holes (“Bok” means hole). In the dry season, when water levels drop, the massive rock formations emerge, allowing visitors to explore bizarrely shaped holes such as Mickey Mouse-shaped and heart-shaped holes, along with striking stone pillars. Nearby, you’ll find riverside beaches like Had Salueng for cooling off and Pha Taem, a scenic spot where you can witness Thailand’s earliest sunrise over the Mekong. Sam Phan Bok has become a top travel destination in late winter through early summer (around December to May), with longtail boats available from nearby villages to explore its natural beauty.
Ban Ta Klang Elephant Village, Surin Province – Surin is famous as the “Land of Elephants.” In Tha Tum District, Ban Ta Klang is a village of the Kui (Guay) people who raise elephants as part of their families. Tourists can experience close encounters with elephants, such as feeding them, learning how to train them, riding elephants through nature, and watching traditional elephant performances, like swimming together. The Kui people have passed down elephant-catching and training wisdom for generations, making this village a living museum that showcases the deep bond between humans and elephants. It’s a rare and meaningful cultural tourism destination.
Isan offers even more, like Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, Wat Phra That Phanom, Phu Kradueng, and Pha Taem, revealing a rich blend of history, nature, and culture that captivates every visitor.
The people of Northeastern Thailand (Isan) possess distinctive traits and characteristics that make them stand out and endearing in the eyes of Thais from other regions. Common descriptions often include “honest, kind-hearted, hardworking, resilient, and fun-loving,” reflecting a way of life shaped by generations of enduring harsh natural and economic conditions.
Firstly, Isan people are known for their sincerity, straightforwardness, and generosity. The rural Isan way of life teaches people to live together with mutual reliance—“water depends on boats, tigers depend on forests”—instilling a habit of helping and sharing. Isan villagers often invite guests, even strangers, to share food and drink, always ready to extend hospitality. Visitors to an Isan village are warmly and naturally welcomed.
Secondly, Isan people are remarkably hardworking and resilient. The challenging climate and economy compel them to work hard to survive. Many leave their hometowns to work as laborers in big cities, hoping to earn money to build a better life. This diligence has made Isan workers highly valued by employers. When they succeed or earn income, they often send money home to support and improve their families and hometowns.
In addition, Isan people’s love of fun and cheerful disposition is another hallmark of their character. Despite life’s hardships, they maintain smiles and laughter with ease. Mor Lam folk singing, traditional music, lively dances (Serng), and joyful performances during merit-making festivals or ordination ceremonies are common scenes in rural Isan. These cultural elements help the community stay happy and relieve the fatigue from hard work.
A strong sense of pride in their homeland and culture also defines Isan people. Even when living away from home, they often seize opportunities to return during major festivals or gather in big cities to hold Isan-style merit-making events—whether by setting up Mor Lam performances or sharing Isan food. These practices show that Isan people never forget their roots and actively pass down their culture to the next generation, teaching children to speak the Isan language at home or taking them to join Heet Sib Song festivals in their grandparents’ villages.
In summary, the people of Isan have hearts that are both strong and gentle: resilient and enduring in the face of hardship, yet also warm, sincere, and full of joy. They take pride in their humble way of life and are always ready to share happiness with others. This friendliness and open-heartedness make visitors feel deeply impressed. Many who have traveled to Isan often say in unison, “Khid Hod” (miss it), wanting to return again, enchanted by the region’s genuine smiles and heartfelt warmth.
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