Most foreign tourists don't visit "ISAN" (อีสาน) area in the Northeast of Thailand. It is a pity because there are many things to do and visit.
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First this area has a double cultural heritage :
Khmer and Laotian. In the
south of Isan area, many Khmer temples can be visited. The most
famous are "PRASAT PHIMAI", "PRASAT HIN KHAO PHANOM RUNG",
"PRASAT HIN MEUANG TAM", "KHAO PHRA WIHAN" just beyond
the Kampuchea border.
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| Prasat Hin Meuang Tam |
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Many people of Khmer ethnicity live in the south part of "ISAN" area.
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There are also significant groups of Chinese and Vietnamese migrants in
"ISAN" area. It is frequent to see Vietnamese graves around Nongkhai
province.
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| Vietnamese cemetery |
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In other sites of Isan area can be found many temples with
Laotian characteristics. One of the most famous
is "WAT THAT PHRA PHANOM" in That Phanom.
Visit the "WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM" (วัดพระธาตุพนม)
and the market in order to eat Isan food and to enjoy its calm. For big
feasts even Laotian people cross the border and go to this temple.
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| That Phanom |
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In Isan can be found the famous forest
temples ("WAT PA" - วัดป่า).
Some monks decided to live in the forest in order to be far
away from human beings. They seek for peace, tranquillity in order to
study Dhamma and meditation. The forest way is a way of life coming
from the Isan area. The monks living in
the forest are called "PHRA THUDONG"
(พระธุดงค์).
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| Forest temple |
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History has a deep impact on Isan area. In
Udon Thani area can be found the park "PHU PHRA BAT".
Old paintings drawn before Buddhist era can be found inside the caves.
Inside this park, there are strange rocks used by prehistoric people
and then by Buddhist monks during the 10th century.
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| Phu Phra Bat |
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The natural border with Laos is the famous river
Mekong ("MAE NAM KHONG" - แม่น้ำ่โขง).
The Mekong river is the border between Lao
and Thailand in all Isan area. Enjoy the sunset with a view over Laos,
have a visit on boat or cross it to visit Laos in two actual
check-points in Isan : NongKhai and near
Ubon Rachathani.
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| The Mekong |
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Isan is also well known for its arts and crafts skills. The famous triangular cushions ("MOON KHIT KO KWAI" - หมอน) came from Isan and the most beautiful came from Roi-Et. The famous silk "MATMEE" came also from Isan and the most beautiful came from Khon Kaen and Nong Khai. Typical souvenirs are the reed organ ("KAEN" - แคน) used in "MOLAM" orchestra and the small baskets ("KRATIT KHAO" - กระติกข้าว) to keep hot the sticky rice ("KHAO NIO" - ข้าวเหนียว).
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| Baskets to keep sticky rice |
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Some differences with other areas of Thailand are:
One well-known dance is the bamboo dance in which dancers shall avoid bamboo sticks.
Some ceremonies like "PHITI BAI SRI SU KWAN" (พิธีบ่ายศรีสู่ขวัญ) are typical from "ISAN" area and North of Thailand. This ceremony is held before a long trip, after a long trip, during marriage or during monk ordination. The aim is to fix the "KWAN" (kind of soul in Thai language) to the human body. It can be done to welcome visitors also.
Two persons may decide to enter into a special relationship with a "PHUK SIAO" ceremony. In this ceremony they become more than friends, becoming blood sisters or brothers, witnessed by the whole community, the elders and the sacred powers.
"BUN BANG FAI" and "PHI TA KHON" festivals happen only in Isan area.
"MOLAM" (หมอลำ) is the typical Isan music.
| Molam orchestra VIDEO |
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Some famous dishes include the spicy salad ("SOMTAM" - ส้มตำ), the grilled chicken ("KAI YANG" - ไก่ย่าง), the sticky rice ("KHAO NIO" - ข้าวเหนียว). Dishes are often more spicy than in other areas.
Laotian language is as important as Thai language in Isan area.
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| Isan food |
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| Home > Society > Isan area > Tourism |
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