Introduction

Roi Et is the province located in the middle part of northeast Thailand, and established over 200 years ago. It used to be a very large and glorious city named Saket Nakhon having 11 city gates and 11 satellite cities or subordinated communities under its ruling. Since there have been several developments in various aspects continually from the past thus changing it into a strange place where one can hardly trace its original features.

Roi Et is administratively divided into 17 Amphoes and two King Amphoes: Muang Roi Et, Kaset Wisai, Pathum Rat, Chaturaphak Phiman, Thawat Buri, Phanom Phrai, Phon Thong, Selaphum, Suwannaphum, At Samat, Nong Phok, Muang Suang, Pho Chai, Phon Sai, Moeiwadi, Amphoe Si Somdet ,Amphoe Janghan, King Amphoe Chiang Khuan, "king Amphoe Nong Hee and King Amphoe Tungkao Luang. There are partial areas of four Amphoes located in Kula Ronghai Field, they are Suwannaphum, Kaset Wisai, Pathum Rat, Phon Sai. Roi Et occupies an area of 8,299.50 square kilometers.

Borders
  »  North      : Kalasin and Mukdahan
  »  South     : Surin and Sisaket
  »  East       : Yasothon
  »  West      : Maha Sarakham

The history of Muang Roi Et started around late Ayutthaya period, i.e., a king of Laos with his people migrated from Champasak City to settle down in the area which is currently Amphoe Suwanna Phum. Later, during the reign of King Taksin of Thon Buri era Muang Roi Et was moved to the present site while Muang Suwannaphum is still located at its original location till now.
In addition to historical evidences, there have been findings of archaeological evidences showing that the area used to be the habitat of pre-historic people. It was also under the influence of ancient Khmer kingdom due to several findings of Khmer style archaeological sites as Ku Phra Kona, Amphoe Suwannaphum; Ku Kasing, Amphoe Kaset Wisai; Prang Ku, Amphoe Thawatchaburi; etc.

Roi Et is 512 kilometers by Highway from Bangkok. The best and most convenient route is to leave Bangkok along Saraburi Nakhon Ratchasima-Ban Phai-Maha Sarakham Highway to Roi Et totaling a journey duration of seven hours.
From the Northeast Bus Terminal there are several ordinary and air-conditioned buses going to Roi Et. For ordinary bus and air-conditioned buses one can contact the Transport Company Limited at Tel. (662) 936-0657. From Roi Et Province, the bus leaves Roi Et Terminal at Thanon Thawa Phiban, Tel. (043) 511939, 512546.

Traveling by plane:

Bun Khao Chi Festival
This fair takes place at Amphoe Pho Chai, Roi Et. First held in the year 1993 and aimed to conduct every year during the 2nd weekend of February.

Kin Khao Pun Bun Phawet
This fair was first held in 1991 and will be conducted every year on the first Saturday-Sunday of March. The fair takes place in Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park and Phalanchai lake. 13 processions of Phawet, according to the number of Maha Chat Preaching episodes, are the main feature of the tradition. The processions will be arranged and decorated by the amphoes and other agencies. After arrival at the ceremonial place they will listen to the preaching sermon of the 13 episodes of the Maha Chat. In this affair, the province will prepare Khao Pun (Khanom Chin....small rice flour noodle) for all participants and visitors at no cost.

Buddhist Lent Candle Procession
This festival takes place on Asalha Puja Day of every year in the area of Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park. The main feature is to carry the decorated Buddhist Lent Candle in terms of a procession from each community, accompanied by beautiful ladies, to display around town, and finally to be gathered at the 4-Gabled Pavilion in Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park for the contest of both the decorated candle and the procession.

Bun Bang Fai Featival
There are such old fashioned rocket festivals in several Amphoes of the province during May-June expressing the local tradition and culture. Especially, at Amphoe Phanam Phrai and Amphoe Suwannaphum the processions are as great as what they perform at the provincial level thus causing a huge number of audiences both from their own province and from the neighboring provinces to view the activity.