Ban Chiang, a small village about 50 km east of Udon Thani province is the single most significant historical site in Thailand. Archeological discoveries made in 1970s produced evidence of a Bronze Age civilization that flourished over 5,000 years ago. This predates sites in China and Mesopotamia as the earliest known evidence of an agrarian, bronze-making culture, and suggest that the Khorat plateau is one of the possible 'cradles of civilization'. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and is a National Museum. The museum contains some superb artifacts and exhibits the various steps of archaeological excavation, prehistoric artifacts of north-eastern Thailand, as well as excavations, tools, pottery, ancient technology and artifacts of Ban Chiang.

How to get there

• By Bus
  Non Air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses leave for Udon Thani daily from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal.
  For more details, please contact offices in Bangkok Tel. 0 2271 0105 for non air-conditioned bus and Tel. 0 2279 4484-7 for air-conditioned bus.
  
  
• By Train
  The State Railways of Thailand provides daily train service between Bangkok-Udon Thani. Trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station. The fare costs from Bht95 - 457 ($3.40 - 16.32)
  Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010-20
  
  
• By Air
  Thai Airways International, Nok Air, Phuket Airlines, Orient Thai Airlines, and Air Asia fly from Bangkok-Udon Thani daily.
  When you arrive at Udon Thani, Catch mini-bus or 'Song-thaews' that runs regularly between Udon Thani to Ban Chiang.
  

Loei lies in the northernmost part of the Northeastern region, bordered at the top by Laos and the Mekong River. Consisting mainly of mountains, large and small, it is cold in the winter and searing hot in the summer. Phu Kra Dung National Park is a beautiful forested bell-shaped mountain, topped with a plateau with an elevation of 1,325 metres, which is teeming with animals and offers spectacular views. Another noteworthy attraction in Loei is Phu Luang National Park, another table-top mountain whose summit allows one to see over Laos and the Mekong River.

How to get there

• By Bus
  Non Air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses leave for Loei everyday from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal.
  For more details, please contact offices in Bangkok Tel. 0 2936 2852-66 for more information.
  
• By Train
  There is no direct train to Loei. Travelers can catch a train to Udon Thani and continue the trip to Loei by bus. Trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010-20.
  
• By Air
  There is no direct flight to Loei. Travellers are recommended to fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani and continue the trip to Loei by bus.

Khon Kaen is the commercial, administrative and educational centre of the Northeast and is often used as a base by travellers visiting upper Isan. Located 450 km from Bangkok in I-San's geographic center, Khon Kaen is famous for its mudmee silk. Unlike other kinds of Thai silk, Mat Mi is made from tie-dye yarn which permits the weaver to work distinctive, multicolored patterns into the design. This is a silk of rare distinction and here in Khon Kaen, there is a week-long annual silk festival held in early December. An impressive exhibition on mudmee silk is on display at "Sala Mai Thai" located in Khon Kaen Industrial and Community Education College. Interested visitors can contact Sala Mai Thai in Chonabot district at Tel. 0 4328 6160. There is lso Khon Kaen National Museum here which displays artifacts from the historical archeological site of Ban Chiang and a number of Dvaravati objects as well as examples of local folk art.

Unusal animals are popular in the province and the cobra and turtle villages are usually high on tourist programmes. In both villages, the residents live with their prot?g?s, training them and putting on fascinating shows. A dinosaur is the provincial symbol ever since remains of these great beasts were unearthed in Phu Wiang National Park, an area also famous for its flora, fauna and waterfalls.

How to get there

• By Bus
  Buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Khon Kaen every day.
  Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information
  
• By Train
  Regular trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Khon Kaen every day. The fare costs from Bht 77 - 368 ($2.75 - 13.14). Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010-20
  
• By Air
  Thai Airways International, Orient Thai Airlines, and Air Asia fly from Bangkok-Khon Kaen daily.

Sakon Nakhon, the ancient, Khmer town formerly known as 'Nong Han Luang', is now an important Buddhist religious center that contains a very sacred Buddha relic, and many forest temple retreats for meditation founded by a highly revered, deceased Buddhist monk, considered to be the greatest teacher of all monks. The inhabitants of Sakhon Nakhon are no less colorful and varied. They strictly observe their ethnic culture and tradition. It is the place where the annual "Wax Castle" Ceremony is held. This ceremony is celebrated on the full moon of the 11th lunar month around October and features a procession of elaborate miniature Buddhist chapels and palaces made from bees' wax which are offered at various temples to make merit for ancestors. Further, regattas featuring long boat races can be seen here during the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat in October.

How to get there

• By Bus
  Bangkok-Sakon Nakhon buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal every day. Contact Transport Co., Ltd. at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information
  
• By Train
  There is no direct train from Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon. Visitors can take a train to Udon Thani and continue the journey by bus to Udon Thani. Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010-20
• By Air
  Thai Airways and PBAir provide daily flight services from Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon. The journey takes approximately 1 hrs 10 Min.
  

The Mekong River flows along the horizontal Nong Khai's northern side, separating it from Laos. The provincial city, sitting on the Mekong bank, is only 24 km from Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Once a sleepy border town, the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge, which was built in 1994 transformed it into one of the busiest commercial centers in the region. Yet, it has still retained its peaceful, riverside charms. Outside the city is a wealth of beautiful scenery comprised of lush forests and many small, interesting towns dotting the banks of Mekong River. This province is also a home of one of major Thai annual events 'Naga Fireball Phenomenon' or 'Bang Fai Phaya Nak'. An amazing natural phenomenon of fireballs rises up from the Mekong River on the night at the end of the Buddhist Lent. The fireball is visible from Phon Phisai and Rattanawapi. This spectacle is watched by a great number of people. A friendship boat race between Thailand and Laos is also staged during this time

How to get there

• By Bus
  Bangkok-Nong Khai buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal every day. Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information
  
• By Train
  Trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Nong Khai every day. The fare costs from Bht103 - 497 ($3.67 - 17.75). Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010-20.
  
• By Air
  Visitors can fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani and continue the trip by bus or rented car to Nong Khai, which located around 50 kilometers from Udon Thani.

Ubon Ratchathani, the largest and one of the most important provinces in the region, is rich in history and diverse in cultural attractions. It was an American airbase during the Vietnam War and has continued to grow in properity since then.

Due to the large number of fascinating temples dotting the city, Ubon is a place of pilgrimage at the beginning of Buddhist Lent. The province borders the Mekong River in the east and features superb scenic views of Cambodia.

Of further interest here is Pha Taem where prehistoric rock paintings extend for over one and a half kilometres along an imposing cliff face overlooking the Mekong River. This province also holds the annual Buddhist Rains Retreat in July with 'The Candle Procession Festival', a colorful ageant with a procession of floats bearing enormous, intricately fashioned bee-wax candles.

How to get there

• By Bus
  There are both air-conditioned and ordinary buses leaving from the North-eastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) many times a day. For detailed information contact Tel. 2710101-5 (ordinart buses) and 2794484-7 (buses air-conditioned) Sahamit Tour Tel. 2825271, SiUbon Tour Tel. 2712985. Tel. 272-5228 (Ordinary Bus) and 272-5299 (Air-conditioned Bus) - Ubon Ratchathani Bus Terminal Tel'. (045) 241831.
  
• By Train
  There are express trains and fast trains from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani every day. There are also ordinary trains from Nakhon Ratchasima to Ubon Ratchathani and Surin to Ubon Ratchathani. The fare costs from Bht95 - 460 ($3.40 - 16.35)
  Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010-20
  
• By Air
  Thai Airways has a daily flight from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani. Air Asia operates 3 flights a week. The journey takes around 1 hour.
  

Si Sa Ket is a quiet province on the Cambodian border with Khmer ruins scattered throughout the province. Most notable are the two ruined sanctuaries of Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai and Noi, dating back to the 10th century. However, the most famous Khmer site is actually in Cambodia.  Khao Phra Wihan was built over 10 centuries ago and is one of the most spectacular Angkor-period sites. Built as a Hindu temple, it begins in Thailand and rises to 600 metres with the main sanctuary in Cambodia. After a long period of war, its wonderful craftsmanship, stairways and courts are now being restored. The walk to the summit is long and steep, but visitors are sure to be impressed by the size and complexity of its design.

How to get there

• By Bus
  Non Air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses leave for Loei everyday from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal.
  For more details, please contact offices in Bangkok Tel. 0 2936 2852-66 for more information.
  
• By Train
  There is no direct train to Loei. Travelers can catch a train to Udon Thani and continue the trip to Loei by bus. Trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010-20.
  
• By Air
  There is no direct flight to Loei. Travellers are recommended to fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani and continue the trip to Loei by bus.

Nakhon Ratchasima or commonly called 'Korat', is the gateway to other Isan provinces. The province is rich in Khmer culture and has a long history. It is famous for the highly revered Khun Ying Mo (Ya Mo) statue in the middle of town. 56 km to the northeast of the provincial capital lies the town of Phimai, site of a 12th century Prasat Hin temple, one of the examples of classical Khmer architecture found outside Cambodia.

The Khmers made Khorat their home, building the superb sanctuary at Phimai that has been beautifully restored as a Historical Park. The main structure is a tall tower (prasat) surrounded by four porches and anti-chambers. There's lots of intricate sandstone carvings and a small museum of relics unearthed during restoration. Another historical site is found at Ban Prasat on the way to Khon
Kaen. Archaeological digs have unearthed skeletons, artifacts and pottery dating back 3,000 years. Khorat is
well known for its villagers skill in silk weaving. The best fabrics are produced in Pak Thong Chai. Other skills are shown at Dan Kwian, a village noted for its unique pottery
made from a special clay found in the area.

Just 15 km north of Nakhon Ratchasima is the smaller Khmer temple ruin of Prasat Phanom Wan. Architectural interest here is complemented by a tranquil setting and an evocative atmosphere resulting from the fact that the temple is still used as a place of Buddhist worship. The province also has beautiful nature, with many forests, mountains, waterfalls, and reservoirs. Furthermore, it is well known for a variety of quality handicrafts that visitors can choose from, particularly the popular clay pottery products of Dan Kwian.

Another remarkable attraction is Khao Yai National Park which is located southwest of Nakhon Ratchasima. Khao Yai is perhaps the best known of Thailand's national parks. Covering 2,172 sq. km of protected forest, jungle and grassland spread over rolling hills and mountains, the park is traversed by paved roads, as well as by a dozen marked walking trails. Vantage points afford spectacular panoramic views, while its 20 waterfalls add to the considerable scenic attraction. The wildlife population includes at least 25 kinds of larger mammals, as well as more than 300 species of birds and countless butterflies.

How to get there

• By Bus
  There are several buses both air and non air-conditioned leaving from the North-eastern Bus Terminal. Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok every 10 minutes all day, traveling time is 3.20 hours and the fare is 157 baht ($6). Non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok every hour from 5 a.m.-8 p.m., traveling time is 4.30 hours and the fare is 87 baht ($3).
  
• By Train
  Trains leave from Bangkok Railway Station to Nakhon Ratchasima more than 10 times daily. The journey takes about 6 hours. The fare costs from Bht50 - 230 ($1.78 - 8.21)
  Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010-20
  
• By Air
  The Thai Airways and Air Andaman operate daily flight to Nakhon Ratchasima.

Surin is world-famous for the Elephant Round-up and for its many Khmer sanctuaries, wide variety of handicrafts, its silk and its rich cultures. The Surin Elephant Round-Up has been scheduled to take place annually over the third weekend in November. The fair, featuring around 100 elephants, is regarded one of the biggest events in the Northeast which attracts large numbers of tourists from every corner of the world. The spectacular show includes demonstrations of elephant capture, their work skills, games and a thrilling mock battle with elephants dressed in the war regalia of olden times. After the fair, the elephants go to live in villages like Ban Ta Klang, where the Suay people live and work with their jumbos, welcoming visitors to watch their daily activities. Like many of the Cambodia border provinces, Surin has numerous Khmer ruins. Recently restored is the 11th century Khmer sanctuary at Sikhoraphum that displays scenes from Hindu mythology. Ta Muan near the border consists of three ruins in good condition. Handicrafts are also a big attraction. Ban Buthom village produces tightly-woven rattan basketry, while traditional silk weaving can be found at Ban Khwao Sinarin (as well as silver trinkets) and Ban Chanrom.

How to get there

• By Bus
  From Bangkok, there are daily buses leaving the North-eastern Bus Terminal. Traveling takes about 6 hours.
  
• By Train
  There are trains leaving Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lam Phong) daily. The distance is 420 kilometers. Further information is available at Tel. 1690, 0 22237010-20
  
• By Air
  There is no direct flight to Surin. The nearest airport is Buri Ram.