The North East (Issan)

The least popular with travellers probably due to the sparse landscape which also contributes to the reason this region has such poor wealth and possibly the poorest of regions in the kingdom. The main reason for travellers to visit Issan is the fact it has four borders crossing into Laos where you can now get visa on arrival making it popular with backpackers. The most popular of these crossing points is Nong Khai, a route that gives easy access to Vientiane, the Laos capital. It is possibly due to this connection that most north eastern Thais speak a dialect that is more comprehensible to Vientiane residents than Bangkok. Issan too has a stronger allegiance to Laos and Cambodia than to Thailand and often Thais in other regions will say that Issan is part of Laos and not part of Thailand.

Most traveller get to Issan from the northern capital Chiang Mai to Loei or via Phitsanulok in the northern reaches of the central plains to Khon Kaen.  It is also possible to tale a direct bus to Khorat from the east coast towns of Pattaya, Rayong and Chanthaburi. There are also two rail lines that cut through Issan and provide the perfect connection with either Bangkok or Ayutthaya .