Discover the hidden treasures of Isaan
Isaan offers a captivating mix of history, nature and culture that takes visitors into the heart of authentic Thailand. From the impressive Khmer temples and UNESCO sites to the spicy culinary traditions and exuberant nightlife in cities like Khon Kaen, this region reveals the many faces of an unforgettable Thailand.
10 best places or sights in Isaan to visit
Isaan is a region in northeastern Thailand, known for its rich culture, history and beautiful landscapes. The area encompasses 20 provinces and has a population of over 22 million people.
A hidden gem in the Isan region of Thailand, Sisaket is a province rich in culture, natural beauty and historical treasures. Located in the northeast of the country and bordering Cambodia, Sisaket is the ideal destination for travelers looking for an authentic Thai experience.
Khmer temples in Isan
In Buriram we visited two well-known Khmer temples, Prasat Phanom Rung and Prasat Meaung Tam, both impressive temple ruins in good condition. Although much smaller than Phanom Rung, Prasat Meaung Tam is particularly photogenic due to its moat surrounding the main temple building.
If you are on Highway No. 2 to the north, about 20 kilometers after Nakhon Ratchasima you will see the turn off road number 206, which leads to the town of Phimai. The main reason to drive to this town is to visit the "Phimai Historical Park", a complex with ruins of historical Khmer temples.
Wat Arun, an icon of Bangkok
Wat Arun on the banks of the mighty Chao Phraya River is a fascinating icon in the Thai capital. The view over the river from the highest point of the temple is breathtaking. Wat Arun has a charm of its own that sets it apart from other attractions in the city. It is therefore a fantastic historical place to visit.
The hidden treasures of Si Thep Historical Park (video)
Nestling in Phetchabun, Thailand, the Si Thep Historical Park reveals a stunning panorama of ancient architecture and history. Harking back to the glorious era of the Khmer Empire, this park invites visitors to take a journey through time, from impressive canals and hills to majestic Khmer towers. Dive into a world where past and present merge.
Wat Kamphaeng Laeng: a Khmer shrine in southern Thailand
Having only visited Phetchaburi or Phetburi as it is often called, I must admit that I was charmed by this city which is one of the oldest in Thailand.
Prasat Hin Phanom Wan: A Khmer gem in Korat
No one will ever be able to cure my fondness for the mysterious Khmer Empire. So many riddles remain that it may take many generations to find all the answers, if at all…
Wat Si Sawai: impeccable Khmer architecture
Whenever I come near Sukhothai Historical Park, I cannot fail to visit Wat Si Sawai, in my opinion one of the most accomplished achievements of the Khmer architects, almost a thousand years ago.
Prasat Nong Hong: Small but nice….
I have been living with my spouse and our Catalan Sheepdog Sam in Isaan, Buriram province, for almost two years now. During this period I have explored the region extensively and I am always amazed at how this province deals with its touristic potential. It may be subjective, but I can't get rid of the impression that the cultural heritage and especially the historical sites are treated poorly.
Prasat Sikhoraphum: a mini Angkor wat in Surin
I like the architecture from the Khmer period, say everything that was put down in Thailand between the 9th and 14th centuries. And luckily for me, especially where I live in Isaan, quite a bit of it has been preserved.
Mini Angkor Wat in Kanchanaburi: Muang Singh Historical Park (Video)
Almost everyone knows Kanchanaburi from the River Kwai and the railway, yet this province has even more interesting sights such as, a kind of mini Ankor Wat. Remains of the former Khmer kingdom.
The city walls of Phimai
Every animal has its own pleasure… I admit that I have long been fascinated by old city walls, gatehouses, defensive moats and other fortifications. In Thailand, the enthusiast of this kind of immovable heritage is served at his beck and call and it is therefore no coincidence that in the past on Thailand blog I have already discussed the old city walls and fortifications of Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Sukhothai.
At the Crossroads of Cultures: Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
The Phu Phra Bat Historical Park in Isan is one of the least known historical parks in Thailand. And that is a bit of a shame because, in addition to a lot of interesting and untouched flora and fauna, it also offers an eclectic mix of relics, from different historical cultures, ranging from prehistory to Dvaravati sculptures to Khmer art.
A few tips for visiting a historical Khmer temple
Thailand - fortunately for lovers of valuable historical heritage - is richly equipped with structures that bear witness to the period when most of this region lived under the control of the Khmer Empire.
Phra Prang Sam Yot in Lopburi: not just for monkeys
In the middle of the busy center of Lopburi, between the not always attractive new buildings, the Prang Sam Yot, the Temple with the Three Towers, is rising on Vichayen Road. An important ruin, despite its rather limited size and not really stimulating environment, which bears witness to the architectural skill of the Khmer builders, now almost a thousand years ago.
Prasat Hin Phimai: the largest Khmer temple in Thailand
During the more than four centuries that the Khmer ruled Isan, they built more than 200 religious or official structures. Prasat Hin Phimai in the heart of the town of the same name on the Mun River in Khorat province is one of the most impressive Khmer temple complexes in Thailand.
Prasat Nong Bua Rai: A hidden Khmer gem
Lung Jan visited the ruins of Prasat Nong Bua Rai with his daughter. This temple ruin is hardly known to the general public and is somewhat hidden along the road that connects the much more famous Prasat Hin Phanom Rung with Prasat Muang Tam at the foot of the old volcano on which Phanom Rung was built. The temple was built at the end of the 12th or the beginning of the 13th century by order of the Khmer prince Jayavarnam VII.
Prasat Hin Ban Phluang: precious gem
One interesting Khmer temple is the Prasat Hin Ban Phluang in Ban Phluang in my neighboring province of Surin. Ban Phluang must once have been an important Khmer settlement because barely a hundred meters from the temple is a baray, an artificial lake that was built by the Khmer.
Khmer Temple in Prasat Si Khoraphum
I saw this Khmer temple in Prasat Si Khoraphum, it is about a XNUMX-minute drive from Surin City, you also have a fairly large day market there, so it might be a nice trip.
I live in Buriram province and Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung is in my backyard, so to speak. I have therefore gratefully used this proximity to get to know this site very well, thanks to numerous visits. I would like to take a moment to reflect on this temple, which is one of the most interesting in Thailand in more ways than one.