North Eastern Thailand is the Thailand of old and the least visited part of the country. While hoardes of tourists and backpackers swarm the beaches of the South, a ‘farang’ (a foreigner) is rarely seen in this part of Thailand, yet those who do visit here are greeted with friendly, welcoming locals – excited to have a tourist in their village.
The area is also known as ‘Isaan’ and shares many characteristics with neighbouring Laos, such as the language and the ever so spicy food – such as the famous ‘somtam’ spicy papaya salad! The culture here also has many distinct features from the rest of Thailand, such as the indigenous Isaan folk music and the unique Festivals, such as Phi Ta Khon.
The actual towns don’t offer much to write home about; but it’s out in the countryside where you will experience an amazing part of Thailand rarely glimpsed by backpackers.
Rice fields go on forever, dirt tracks leading through to villages of wooden houses and dustbins made out of old tyres. Sure there are satellite dishes and mobile phones here; but mostly people work in the fields, keep buffalo and chickens and grow most of their own fruit and vegetables. It’s sustainable living in practice and for the tourist it’s a unique glimpse of real ‘Thai’ life – a throwback to a Thailand from thirty years ago.
For independent travellers, it can be much harder to explore this part of Thailand without your own transport and good contacts for places to stay; and you are much less likely to meet other backpackers up here. However, if you’re in search of a slice of Thailand that is slowly fading, North Eastern Thailand is yours to explore.
