Page 110 - TICA Membership Directory 2016-2017

THE NORTH EAST

THE

NORTH

EAST

The Mekhong Connection

Thailand’s northeast region—colloquially called
Isaan—is breathtakingly bucolic. Endless stretches of
the countryside are lined with blue sky and emerald
THE NORTH EAST
green fields, dotted with grazing buffalo and traditional
wooden houses on stilts. It is also home to numerous
natural and cultural sites. The region is peppered with
national parks teeming with waterfalls and wildlife,
including Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima, the largest
and most famous, Phu Kradeung in Loei, the second
largest and Pha Taem in Ubon Ratchathani, famous for
its rock paintings dating back over 3,000 years. Once
part of the historic Khmer Empire, the region has
some spectacular temples and ruins, including the
Khon Kaen 11th-century village of Phimai, and the 12th century
Hindu temple Phanom Rung. Isaan also is home to a
UNESCO World Heritage site: a prehistoric settlement
discovered in present-day Ban Chiang, famous for its
red pottery dating back to 3,000 B.C.

When it comes to MICE events, Isaan has a lot of local
country flavour to offer, along with the infrastructure,
quality hotels and meeting facilities found in its
major cities such as Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani,

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MICE GUIDE TO THAILAND