I-san, the North-East of Thailand

<body> <h1 align="center"><b><font color="#000000">I-san (Isan), the North-East of Thailand !</font></b></h1> <h2 align="center"><b><font color="#000000">A backpacking travel guide to I-san (Isan), the North-East of Thailand</font></b></h2> <p> </p> <p><font face="Arial"><b>The localities of Isan (I-san), the north-east of Thailand are the followings :</b></font></p> <ul> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="khorat.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Khorat</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="phimai.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Phimai</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="ubon.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Ubon Ratchathani</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="mukdahan.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Mukdahan</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="that_phanom.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">That Phanom</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="nakhon_phanom.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Nakhon Phanom</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="a_hong_beung_kan.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Beung Kan & A Hong</font></a></b></li> <li><p align="left"><b><a href="nong_khai.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Nong Khai</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="sang_khom.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Sang Khom</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="chiang_khan.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Chiang Khan</font></a></b></li> <li> <p align="left"><b><a href="loei.htm" target="_top"><font face="Arial">Loei</font></a></b></li> </ul> <p><br> <font face="Arial"><b>If you have visited other places in I-san (North-East Thailand or Isan)  that you think should be included participate to Passplanet by covering new localities.</b></font></p> <p><font face="Arial"><b><br> Introduction to Isan (I-san) :  </b><br> <br> The Northeast of Thailand, also referred to as I-san (or Isan), covers 170,000 square kms (one third of the country !) and is delimited by the Mekong (the natural border with Laos) and Cambodia to the east. <br> <br> I-san (Isan)  is certainly the most authentic part of Thailand (the only area where some local people still wai at you) and there is a rather delectable laid back atmosphere. But of course, most local people do not speak English yet.<br> <br> The attractions in Isan (I-san or North-East Thailand) are surprisingly original and numerous : old Khmer structures, great temples, national parks full of caves, strangely shaped rocks or waterfalls and, of course, the Mekong riverbank. <br> <br> And if this was not enough, fairs & festivals seem to take place every couple of weeks in I-san (Isan in the North East of Thailand). These include the colorful & fumic Bun Bang Fai ("Big Bang" Rocket Festival, May & June), the Candle Festival of Udon Thani (July), the illuminate boat procession of Nakhon Phanom (Oct or Nov), the Elephant Show of Surin (November), the Wax Castle Festival of Sakon Nakhon, the Kites competition of Buriram (December) and plenty of dragon boat races (Oct or Nov)<br> <br> Strangely enough considering the above, I-San (also known as Isan) is the least visited part of the country : so far, most visitors cross it only on their way to & from Laos or Cambodia. It is true that the dry & hot weather (the reason you see huge water jars at every house) scares a few people off. The best time to visit is during the rainy season. But the North-East is the area of Thailand with the most potential of growth and it is a matter of years before visitors flock "en masse". Visit it while it is still peaceful...</font> </p> <p>  </p> <p align="center"><b><font face="Arial" size="1">HOME - ASIA - China - HK & Macau - <a href="file:///C:/My%20Documents/Passplanet/Thailand/index.htm" target="_top">Thailand</a> - Laos - Cambodia - Vietnam - Myanmar - Malaysia - Singapore</font></b></p> <h2 align="center"><font face="Arial"><b><font color="#993300">Passplanet :<i> </i>a backpacking travel guide to Thailand !</font></b></font></h2> </body>