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Region of northeastern Thailand
Photo: สิทธิพงษ์ อินทะนิน, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Isaan (อีสาน; also Isan, Isarn and even Esarn) is Thailand's largest region, consisting of 20 provinces. Despite having 30% of Thailand's population, this region receives less than 3% of Thailand's tourist dollars. It is a multicultural region where Laos, Cambodia and Thailand meet, and has a rich history and great food. In particular, it is home to Thailand's second-largest ethnic group, the Thai Lao.
By plane
There are airports in Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani. A flight to Khon Kaen from Bangkok will take you about an hour.
By bus
Isaan has a large and extensive public bus network.
By train
Regular train services connect Bangkok with Ubon Ratchathani (via Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Si Saket and other stations along the way) and Nong Khai (via Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, etc).
Depending on where you're coming from and where you want to get to, buses, minibuses, songthaews, motorbikes, and bicycles are all good options.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Khon Kaen · Regional · KKC
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the "most Isaan" city in Isaan, this university town has nightlife and great food
known for its numerous high hills, mountains and is one of Thailand's vineyards
bordering Laos along the Mekong
the chaotic hub of Isaan, gateway from central Thailand
gateway to Vientiane and the lovely Mekong Valley
home to the tallest standing Buddha image of the world, Phra Phuttha Rattana Mongkhon
known for its annual elephant parade and Khmer temples
almost always shortened to simply "Ubon", gateway to the Cambodia-Laos border
this expat haunt is best known for the archaeological site Ban Chiang
Thailand's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
beautiful Khmer temples and one of the top attractions in Isaan
some of the most important Khmer architecture in Thailand
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