Isaan  is the northeast  region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River (along the border with Laos) to the north and east.

 

Itinerary

Start the program around 8.30 am. for full-day excursion brings you to the Isaan region. First stop is a silk weaving village, where we will be shown the complete process of silk production, from washing and drying to weaving and marketing. On the way to Phimai, we visit first a small Khmer temple. It dates from the end of the 9th century and is unique in the fact that it has retained its complete domed roof and contains several old Buddha figures.

Another short diversion will be made at the archaeological site at Ban Prasat, to see human skeletons about 2,500 years old and various kinds of artifacts found 25 years ago. After a meal, the journey continues to the historic Khmer sanctuary of Phimai, often called the “Angkor Wat of Thailand”. The temple is about 959 years old and acknowledged and respected for its fine architecture.

Many ornaments and relics represent scenes from the Ramayana, while others depict fighting and battlefield action as well as the victories of the Khmer kings. The nice museum is also worth a visit. On the way back to Garden Lodge you will see a Banyan Tree about 300 years old: the interwoven branches extend densely over an area of about 15,000 square feet.