Isaan: The Best of North-East Thailand

Isaan is a still largely unknown region in north-eastern Thailand, full of treasures of nature and history. Alongside untouched nature and blending cultures, there are important centres of craft and agriculture here, and the locals love Isaan for its authenticity. Here we tell you about the region's cultural treasures, its fascinating temples and prehistoric sites. Nature, too, offers much more than just Khao Yai National Park, with beautiful riverbanks and a moving culture. Here are the key places you shouldn't miss on your visit to Isaan.

At the confluence of the Moon and Lamjakarat rivers lies the small, authentic village of Phimai, known for its beautiful Khmer temples – because eight centuries ago the Khmer kingdom still stretched across large parts of northern Thailand and down to Malaysia. Phimai lay right on the imperial route leading to the heart of the Khmer Empire, and it's said the village's temple was the original model for the temple of Angkor. The temple, called Prasat Hin Phimai, was built between the 11th and 12th centuries according to the Hindu principle of the mandala, or cosmic centre of the universe. Buddha statues, gopurams and numerous gates lead to the antechamber, where further scenes from the life of the Buddha can be seen.

This temple is an absolute must and shows Khmer architecture in all its splendour. Beyond that, there are numerous historic ruins to explore in the village that have much in common with the ruins of Angkor Wat, both in terms of their size and the richness of the craftsmanship and decoration. The remains, walls and temples testify to the distinctive Khmer culture. The town even has its own festival to celebrate its cultural heritage: the Phimai Festival, always held in the second week of November.

• Gaur (a wild ox from South-East Asia),

• Sambar (a type of deer),

• Muntjacs (also known as barking deer),

• Monkeys and gibbons (the smallest of the great apes, with their incredibly enchanting songs)

The gibbon pairs harmonise their voices to sing together.

Thais love football! The locals always enjoy discussing the English Premier League with enthusiasm. Many proudly wear the colours of Manchester United – red and white – the most popular team in Thailand, or the shirt of Leicester City, which has a Thai owner. Isaan has its own local team too: Buriram United. It's the best team in the country and the first club to have won all the national trophies. So there's huge excitement when the home team plays. Why not go and watch a match?

The night markets are the gateway to other aspects of Isaan's culture and an absolute highlight. Here you immerse yourself in the local atmosphere and can try the region's typical dishes. You stroll along pedestrian streets, listen to live music, chat with locals and enjoy a pleasant evening walk to the lively rhythm of Thailand. In Isaan there are the night markets of Buriram, open on Saturday and Sunday evenings, the Midnight Market I-san, the Lively Market and many more. An experience not to be missed!

This huge, covered market is full of treasures! Tourists and locals love to stroll here and find herbs, clothing and crafts while enjoying a good coffee and Thai street-food delicacies. The market's name comes from the fact that many of the goods come from Laos and Vietnam. What stays with you most, though, are the encounters with the local people: full of joy and with a smile on their lips, they're always ready to introduce visitors to their culture. So get ready for a colourful, cross-cultural experience!

A little insider tip of the region: in the middle of the Mun River in Ubon Ratchathani, one of Isaan's four main cities, lies a hidden little island. The locals come here to relax, picnic and swim in the river. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful. On both sides of the river stand little bamboo huts, and in the dry season a modest little beach appears on the bank. Enjoy the calm and the authentic beauty of this part of Isaan!

In the village of Baan Ku Ka Sing lives an old community whose origins go back to Khmer times. Here you'll find a dense bamboo forest, Khmer ruins and rice fields. The villagers belong to the Thai-Lao ethnic group, which has preserved old traditions and customs. Some of them are quite surprising… The residents venerate spirits, and a tradition called Liang Pu-Ta takes place on the first Wednesday of the sixth month, when offerings are made to the spirits.

The dynamic city of Ubon Ratchathani, the third-largest in Isaan, lies near the borders with Laos and Cambodia. An extraordinary festival takes place here: the Candle Festival. Every year, at the full moon in July, one of the most famous folk and religious parades in the kingdom takes place. Residents are invited to give donations and candles to the monks to light up the neighbourhoods. Giant candles are built, each representing a local temple. Figures from Hindu and Buddhist mythology are carved in wood and covered in wax. This impressive celebration marks the start of the three-month Buddhist Lent.

A special village where the king cobra reigns! The villagers have grown medicinal herbs and cultivated rice for generations, but the village's main attraction is the show of the local doctor, Ken Yongla. This performance has become a tradition. The residents have learned to present their medicinal herbs in a show with a king cobra. Today, almost every household owns a king cobra and knows how to give a snake-dance performance. If you visit the village, you can be sure a unique show awaits you!

The people of Isaan are used to spicy flavours, and many popular dishes come from this region. Think of som tam salad, nam tok or larb. The cuisine is strongly influenced by Laotian cooking, which surprises no one, since the regions share a common history and much more. All dishes are served with sticky rice, presented in a little bamboo basket. Isaan cuisine loves well-seasoned, salty and spicy flavours. What must you try? The papaya salad or som tam, larb – a minced-meat salad with onions, shallots, mint leaves, lime and meat. Not to be overlooked either: the bamboo-shoot salad with yanang leaves, and Isaan gai yang, a grilled chicken marinated in soy sauce and served on skewers.

How about discovering all these wonders for yourself on an authentic trip to Thailand's Isaan region? We're happy to help with any questions and travel tips.