Top Attractions in North-East (Isan)
1 Phu Kradueng
Location : Phu Kradueng District, Loei
How to get there
Take Highway No.201 from Loei town centre, pass Wang Saphung District and Nong Hin District. Turn right onto Highway no.2019, pass Phu Kradueng District centre and continue for 4 km to the National Park Office. The total distance from the town centre is 81 km.
Administered by | Phu Kradueng National Park |
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Contact | Tel. 0 4287 1333, 0 4287 1458 |
2 Tung Dok Krajeaw (Siam Tulip)
Location : Thep Sathit District, Chaiyaphum
How get there:
Take Highway No.205 from Nakhon Ratchasima, head towards north, pass Non Thai District, Ban Nong Bua Khok, Ban Kham Ping and Thep Sathit District, until reaching an intersection and turn right onto Highway No. 2354 and continue for 17 km. Turn left to an asphalt road for 13 km. The national park office is located on the left.
3 Sam Phan Bok
Location : Pho Sai District, Ubon Ratchathani
How to get there
Take Highway No.2050 from Ubon Ratchathani town centre which heads towards northeast, pass Trakan Phutphon District until reaching Pho Sai District. Drive along for about 120 km keep your eye on the signs “Sam Phan Bok”
4 Haew Narok Waterfall
Location : Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
How to get there
Take Highway No.2 (Mitraphab Road) from Saraburi town centre and head to Nakhon Ratchasima at km 144 marker. The distance is around 37.7 km. Take the most right lanes to make a u-turn then go straight and turn left. Go straight until seeing the National Park ticket office at the entrance of the park.
Administered by | Khao Yai National Park, Pak Chong District |
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5 Pha Taem
Location : Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani
How to get there
Take Highway No.217 from Ubon Ratchathani town centre then take Highway No.2222 to Khong Chiam District. Continue to Highway No.2134 (Khong Chiam-Khem Marat Rd) then turn right to Highway No.2112 for about 15 km. The road leading to the east will take you 5 km to the National Park Office located in Nong Phue Noi Village.
Administered by | Pha Taem National Park |
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Opening Hours | 06:00 am. - 06:00 pm. |
Contact | Tel. 0 4531 8026, 0 4524 6332 – 3 |
6 Phu Pha Thoep
Location : Mueang District, Mukdahan
How to get there
Phu Pha Thoep is 17 kilometres from the city on the Mukdahan-Don Tan Road. To get to the park, turn right at the 14-15 km marker and drive for 2 kilometres.
Administered by | Phu Pha Thoep National Park |
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Opening Hours | Tue – Sun from 08:00 am. - 06:00 pm. |
Admission | 50 – 200 Baht (Price are subject to change) |
7Lan Hin Ngam
Location : Thep Sathit District, Chaiyaphum
How to get there
Take Highway No.205 from Nakhon Ratchasima towards the north. Follow the road which heads towards northwest and west for approximately 110 km, turn right onto Highway No.2354 and continue for about 20 km then take the road on the left for 14 km to the National Park Office.
Administered by | Pa Hin Ngam National Park |
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8 Saeng Chan Waterfall
Location : Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani
How to get there
Saeng Chan waterfall (Long Roo waterfall) is only 1 kilometer from Thung Na Muang waterfall. You can get there from Highway No. 2134, followed by Highway No. 2112, and then turn right to the waterfall.
Administered by | Pha Tam National Park |
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9 Ban Ta Klang Elephant Study Centre
Location : Tha Tum District, Surin
The Kui have had their own way of keeping elephants since the old times. They believe that “the elephant’s happiness is our family’s happiness”. The older elephants will be respected as their grandparents, while the younger elephants will be loved as their children.
Visitors here can learn the simple life of the Ban Ta Klang villagers by riding the elephant around the village, seeing the elephant’s talent, learning the Kui’s tricks to be the elephant keeper and walking the elephant across the river to clean up. These activities can count as once in a lifetime activities. There are also the traditions and other festival activities; such as, the Elephant Ordination which has been carried on for over 200 years, the Alms Giving on Elephants festival during the Buddhist Lent day of each year, the Surin Elephant Round-up around November where all elephants in Thailand get together, the Kui Marriage on Elephants in February, and the Songkran Festival in April.
How to get there
Located at Ban Ta Klang, Krapho Sub-district, Tha Tum District. From Surin town, take Highway 214 (Surin-Roi Et) and turn left at km 36, then drive along the road for 22 km.
Opening Hours | Elephant Show: There are two rounds of the Elephant Show starting at 10:00 am. and 02:00 pm. |
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Contact | Tel. 0 4414 5050, 0 4451 1975 |
10 Phu Thok
Location : Si Wilai District, Bueng Kan
Previously, this area was dense woods with many wild animals. Because of its tranquility, Phra Achan Chuan Kunlachettho, a meditation master, initially established a meditation place here for Buddhists to practise the Buddha’s teachings.
Phu Thok Noi is where Wat Chetiya Khiri Wihan (Wat Phu Thok) is situated. This temple is the starting point of a walk up to the top of Phu Thok, via a wooden bridge winding around the steep mountain. The bridge was built with faith from monks, novices and villagers. The construction began in 1969 and took five years to complete. This bridge is compared to a path of virtue that leads a righteous man to leave a world and enter into emancipation by their own efforts and determination. Phu Thok is still a meditation practice centre and a place for the community’s religious affairs. Visitors shall be calm in manner and pay respect to the place. The bridge’s stairs to the mountain top are divided into seven sections.
How to get there
Phu Thok is around 185 km. from the town of Nong Khai. Take Highway 212, past Pho Chai, Pak Khat and Bueng Kan districts. Then, turn left to take Highway 222 and head for Si Wilai district. From Si Wilai, take a turn left and go on for another 30 km., past Ban Na Sing, Ban Sai Ngam, to Ban Na Kham Khaen and Phu Thok.
11 Sirindhorn Museum
Location : Sahatsakhan District, Kalasin
How to get there
Take Highway 227 (Kalasin - Sahatsakhan) for 28 kilometres. Two kilometres before Sahatsakhan, you will come to an intersection. Turn right and continue for another kilometre.
Opening Hours | 08:30 am. - 05:30 pm. |
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Contact | Tel. 0 4387 1014, 0 4387 1613-4 |
12 Phu Wiang National Park
Location : Phu Wiang District, Khon Kaen
Plants that grow in the Park are redwood, Para wood, sandalwood, ferns, bamboos, rattan and bananas. It is a habitat of barking deer, antelope, foxes, civet, tiger cats, squirrels, porcupines, flying lemur, monkeys, flying squirrels and many more.
How to get there
Take Highway No.12 (Khon Kaen – Chumpae) towards Chumpae. After passing Non Rua, turn right to Highway No.2038 to Phu Wiang District and continue for 4 km to Pak Chong Range Station of the National Park.
Administered by | Phu Wiang National Park |
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Contact | Tel. 0 4335 8073, 08 5852 1771 |
13 Hin Chang Si View Point
Location : Nong Ruea District, Khon Kaen
How to get there
Take Highway No.12 from Khon Kaen town centre then turn right at km 30 marker and continue for 19 km. The National Park Office is located on the hill on the right. The total distance is 49 km. Once there, the viewpoint can be reached on foot. It takes approximately 3 hours to walk along the ridge of the mountain. Alternatively, you can reach the viewpoint from the other side of the National Park Office by driving to Ban Kham Ya Daeng and walking for about 10 minutes.
Administered by | Nam Phong National Park |
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Contact | Tel. 0 4335 8074, 0 4324 8006 |
14 Kaeng Khut Khu
Location : Chang Khan District, Loei
How to get there
To get there from the city of Loei, take the Loei-Chiang Khan road and drive for 47 kilometers, turn right and proceed for another 3 kilometers to Chiang Khan District.
15 Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol
Location : Nong Phok District, Roi Et
How to get there
The Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol is located in Nong Phok district, some 80 kilometers from Roi Et town. Getting to the chedi by public transportation from Roi Et town could be a hassle, by far the most convenient and comfortable option is to hire an air conditioned car with driver to take you there. Most hotels will be able to arrange one for you. Agree on the price before leaving.
Opening Hours | 06:00 am. - 05:00 pm. |
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Admission | 20 Baht per person (Price are subject to change) |
16 Mo I-Daeng Cliff - Khao Phra Wihan
Location : Kantharalak District, Sisaket
How to get there
From Sisaket town, you can use highway 221 (Sisaket -Kantoralak) pass Kantoralak district to the south for 36 km., then drive to Khao Phra Wihan.
Administered by | Khao Phra Wihan National Park |
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17 Witness natural wonder of Naga Fireballs
Location : Mekong River, Phon Pisai district, Nong Khai
Contact | Tel. 0 4232 5406-7 |
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18 Nong Han Lake
Location : Kumphawapi District, Udonthani
How to get there
It has a total area of 45 sq.km. or approximately 28,125 rai. The lake is 13 km. in length and is surrounded by marshland.
19 Suan Hin Pha Ngam
Location : Nong Hin District, Loei
How to get there
Suan Hin Pha Ngam is south of town on Highway No. 201. Proceed past Wang Saphung to Nong Hin then take another road for 20 kilometers.
Opening Hours | 08:00 am. - 06:00 pm. |
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Contact | Tel. 08 1462 1719 |
20 Haew Suwat Waterfall
Location : Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
How to get there
Take Highway No.2 (Mitraphab Road) from Saraburi town centre and head to Nakhon Ratchasima at km 144 marker. The distance is around 37.7 km. Take the most right lanes to make a u-turn then go straight and turn left. Go straight until seeing the National Park ticket office at the entrance of the park. The waterfall is situated at the end of Thanarat Road in Khao Yai National Park and approximately 10 km from the National Park Office.
Administered by | Khao Yai National Park |
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Contact | Tel. 08 6092 6529, 08 6092 6531 |
21 Si Kotra Boon Beach
Location : Mueang District, Nakhon Phanom
How to get there
From Bangkok, take Highway No.2 to Khon Kaen province, continue to Highway No.209, 213 and 22, pass Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon to Nakhon Phanom province.
22 Khao Angkhan Temple
Location : Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Buri Ram
How to get there
Khao Angkhan Temple is on an extinct volcano 20 kilometres from Phanom Rung. If travelling from Ban Ta Pek (between Ban Tako and Phanom Rung), use the road to Lahan Sai for 5 kilometres and onto a branch road to the temple for 10 kilometres.
23 Roi Et National Museum
Location : Mueang District, Roi Et
Opening Hours | Wednesday - Sunday from 09:00 am. - 04:00 pm. (Except for Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays) |
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Admission | 30 Baht (Price are subject to change) |
Contact | Tel. 0 4351 4456 |
24 Maenam Song Si
Location : Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani
How to get there
Just a 5-minute drive from Khong Chiam District.
25 Million-year-old shell fossils
Location : Mueang District, Nong Bua Lamphu
How to get there
Motorist can use highway 210 (Nong Bua Lamphu -Udon Thani). The museum is located in Huai Duea Village, Non Than Sub-district, at kilometre 88.5 on your left. Tourist can take Nong Bua Lamphu -Udon Thani Bus.
Contact | Tel. 0 4281 2812 |
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26 King Cobras Village
Location : Ban Khok Sa-nga, Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen
Anyway, a cobra show was too dangerous as the snake can spit its poison for two metres making a man blind. So he changed to conduct the show with a king cobra and inherited such skill to the villagers. Today, after the harvest season, with better transportation, villagers of Khok Sa-nga always travel around to organize a snake show and offer their herbal medicine. In the village, a snake show is held at Wat Si Thamma, performing different series of show such as snake dancing and boxing between king cobra and man. Exhibitions regarding the king cobra as well as nursery are located nearby.
How to get there
Ban Khok Sa-nga is 49 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. Visitors can go via Highway 2 and make a right turn at kilometre 33 to Highway 2039. At kilometre 14, opposite Phang Thui police box, turn right onto a soil road. Then keep going through Ban Na Ngam and make a left turn at the intersection, continue for another 600 metres.
27 Sakon Nakhon Wax Castle Festival
Location : Mueang District, Sakon Nakhon
One of the biggest events in the Ok Phansa Day (The end of Buddhist Lent), the assemble of the wonderful wax castles which are created from the talent artists in the province. Experience the magnificent Wax Castle Procession and feast your eyes on the wonderful tradition of Sakon Nakhon people. On the night of 13th day, people will join hands in decorating wax castle at Ming Muang Field. The 14th day, beautiful wax castle from different temples will join the procession, roaming the municipality to Wat Phra That Cherngchum Woravihara. Isan people believe that the wax will welcome Lord Buddha who comes back from the heaven to help all creatures on earth.
Highlight: Not only do you get to see the beautiful wax castles in the procession, but you learn more about the culture of Sakon Nakhon by visiting various temples around the city to observe the making of these structures. Several of the highly-revered monks of Thailand are from Sakon Nakhon, and visitors take the opportunity to visit their temples at this time.
Contact | Tel. 0 4251 3490-1 |
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28 Ko Sum Pii Forest Park
Location : Kosum Phisai District, Maha Sarakham
The shady park is home to different big trees such as Yang, Tabaek (Lagerstroemia floribunda Jack) and Kathum (Anthocephalus chinensis (Lamk.) A. Rich.ex Walp.) whose canopies connect to each other. With natural pond and scenery, this park is home to different kinds of bird, big herd of crab-eating macaque, as well as rare golden crab-eating macaque. Attractions in the park include.
Kaeng Tat : Rapids in Chi River is situated at north and east of the park. Base rock acquires wide area in the river. When the river descends between November and May, shallow water allows rapids to appear. It has beautiful setting around the area.
Lan Khoi : The terrain is occupied by toothbrush trees. Today, over 200 of them are bended into different shapes.
Crab-eating macaque : The animals make this park their home. There are two kinds of crab-eating macaques in the park, the grey and golden macaque.
How to get there
From Maha Sarakham City, take highway 208 for 28 kilometres. At Kosum Phisai Intersection, get into asphalt road and keep going for 450 metres.
29 Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival
Location : Phaya Thaen Public Park, Mueang District, Yasothon
Contact | Tel. 0 4571 1397 ext.112 |
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30 Wat Tham Saeng Phet (Tham Saeng Phet Temple)
Location : Mueang District, Amnat Charoen
Opening Hours | 08:00 am. - 05:00 pm. |
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Contact | Tel. 0 5322 4333 |