Roi Et: 101 Reasons to Go There

Roi Et: The Thai City With a Big Buddha and Bigger Vibes

Roi Et. No, that’s not a typo. It’s an actual city in northeast Thailand, not an IKEA product or a French cologne. Nestled in the heart of the Isaan region, Roi Et (which literally means "One Hundred and One", named so for reasons absolutely nobody remembers) is a place where the pace is slow, the temples are oversized, and the smiles are real.

You may ask, “Why go to Roi Et?” And the answer is: because no one else is going. And in Thailand, that’s a blessing.

How to Get There (Simple, With Varying Degrees of Suffering)

By Plane: Direct flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Roi Et Airport. Takes just over an hour. Tickets usually range from 1,000–1,500 THB if the universe likes you. Or, for the hundredth time, include Roi Et in your Isaan road trip and enjoy it at a leisurely pace. Nobody's really flying there anyway.

By Bus: From Bangkok’s Mo Chit Terminal. Around 8–10 hours, depending on traffic, snack stops, and the bus’s mood. Prices: 500–800 THB.

By Car: Rent one if you’re feeling adventurous or want to develop an intense relationship with Google Maps, road rage and police checkpoints.

Where to Stay (Comfy Without Crying Over Your Wallet)

Budget Guesthouse (300–700 THB): Basic fan rooms, free instant coffee, and a warm welcome from the owner's dog. You’re not fancy; you’re fearless.

Mid-range Hotel (800–1,500 THB): Think “clean and cute” with Wi-Fi, AC, and maybe a mini-fridge that hums like it’s dreaming.

Luxury Hotel (1,800–3,000+ THB): Roi Et’s idea of luxury isn’t five-star excess; it’s more like four stars, good service, and maybe a pool that doesn’t feel like a bathtub.

What to Do in Roi Et – Daytime Shenanigans

1. Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol

An absolutely enormous white-and-gold chedi just casually sitting in the middle of nowhere, flexing. It’s stunning. It looks like heaven’s wedding cake. Wear appropriate clothes and bring your jaw: it will drop.

2. Wat Burapha Phiram

Home to one of Thailand’s tallest standing Buddha statues (59.2 meters!). It’s so tall it looks like it could catch passing planes. Great for photos and feeling tiny. Just have a look if you aren't templed out yet.

3. Bueng Phlan Chai Lake & Park

The city’s pride: a huge lake with a floating pavilion, a walking path, and locals doing aerobics at 6 p.m. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a 70-year-old Thai grandma out-Zumba you.

4. Roi Et National Museum

Because history is sexy when it’s air-conditioned. Learn about the local culture, old Khmer influence, and ancient pottery that somehow survived better than your last relationship.

5. Local Markets

Wander through Talad Mai or the old town market for weird snacks, live frogs (sometimes hopping out of the buckets), and Isaan sausage that will haunt your dreams in the best way.

What to Do at Night (AKA, What Happens When the Sun Isn’t Trying to Kill You)

1. Bueng Phlan Chai (Again, But Glowy)

The lake comes alive at night: families strolling, couples holding hands, joggers pretending to enjoy it. Snack stalls pop up selling everything from grilled squid to mango sticky rice. Peak vibe.

2. Street Food Crawl

This is Isaan, so everything is grilled, spicy, or fermented. Try larb, gai yang, and som tam until your mouth cries and your heart sings. Bonus: you can afford everything.

3. Live Music Bars & Chill Cafés

There’s always a local spot with acoustic Thai covers and suspiciously strong whisky sodas. You won’t know the words but you’ll feel the heartbreak in those luk thung ballads.

4. Festival Watch (If You’re Lucky)

If you happen to visit during a temple fair or local festival, congratulations—you’ve won the small-town lottery. Expect fireworks, food, parades, and possibly a man in a chicken costume.

Final Thoughts: Roi Et, the 101 You Didn’t Learn in School

Roi Et may not be on every travel blog’s radar, but that’s exactly why it rocks. It’s chill, welcoming, weirdly beautiful, and 100% real Thailand. You’ll leave with full bellies, sun-kissed cheeks, and at least three blurry selfies with the giant Buddha.

Roi Et: come for the peace, stay for the grilled chicken, leave wondering why this place isn’t more famous.