Isan – The Practical Guide

Travel guide · 2026-2027 edition

Khmer temples, rice fields and the Mekong: authentic North-East Thailand without the stress.

Isan – The Practical Guide is the up-to-date, practical guide to Isan, the Thailand most tourists never see: a vast plateau of rice fields bordered by the Mekong, Khmer temples, the country’s favourite food and spectacular festivals. Whether you are travelling or staying with your Thai partner’s family, it gives you prices in baht, opening hours and the traps to avoid.

Planning and arriving: seasons, visa and TDAC, budget, plane, train or bus from Bangkok, and even from Laos.
Getting around and where to stay: buses, minivans, songthaews, car hire, hotels town by town and homestays.
The Khmer temples: Khorat, Phimai, Khao Yai, Buriram, Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Surin.
The towns and the Mekong: Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Ban Chiang, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Loei and Chiang Khan, Ubon Ratchathani and the Emerald Triangle.
The heart of Isan: Roi Et, Kalasin and Yasothon, the Nong Phok countryside, lakes and raft huts.
Festivals, food and village life: Bun Bang Fai, Phi Ta Khon, Ubon’s Candle Festival, som tam and sticky rice, etiquette, safety and itineraries from 5 to 14 days.

Included: 4 maps (Isan, the Khmer temple route, along the Mekong, Ubon Ratchathani), the author’s photos, a Thai and Isan phrasebook and a practical directory (emergencies, hospitals, consulates, immigration).

English edition · PDF ebook: €3.00 · instant download

Out now: the English edition is available as a PDF ebook for €3.00. Buy the English ebook → More guides in the series: Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai and the North – The Practical Guide.

Want a free taste? Read the articles in my Thailand Notebook: visas, transport, scams, food, beaches and itineraries.