Isan
   HOME



picture info

Isan
Northeast Thailand or Isan (Isan language, Isan/, ; ; also written as Isaan, Isarn, Issarn, Issan, Esan, or Esarn; from Pāli ''isāna'' or Sanskrit ईशान्य ''īśānya'' "northeast") consists of 20 provinces in northeastern Thailand. Isan is Thailand's largest Regions of Thailand, region, on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong, Mekong River (along the Laos–Thailand border) to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Sankamphaeng Range south of Nakhon Ratchasima. To the west, it is separated from Northern Thailand, northern and central Thailand by the Phetchabun Mountains. Isan covers , making it about half the size of Germany and roughly the size of England and Wales. The total forest area is or 15 percent of Isan's area. Since the beginning of the 20th century, northeastern Thailand has been generally known as ''Isan'', while in official contexts the term ''phak tawan-ok-chiang-nuea'' (; "northeastern region") may be used. The majority ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Isan Language
Isan or Northeastern Thai (Endonym and exonym, autonym: /, ; , ) refers to the local development of the Lao language in Thailand, after the political split of the Lao-speaking world at the Mekong River at the conclusion of the Franco-Siamese crisis of 1893. The language is still referred to as Lao by native speakers.Keyes, Charles F. (1966). "Ethnic Identity and Loyalty of Villagers in Northeastern Thailand". ''Asian Survey''. As a Variety (linguistics), variety of the Lao language, Isan belongs to the Southwestern Tai languages, Southwestern branch of Tai languages in the Kra–Dai languages, Kra-Dai language family. It is most closely related to (other than Lao) "tribal" Tai languages such as Phu Thai language, Phu Thai and Tai Yo language, Tai Yo. Isan is officially classified as a dialect of the Thai language by the Thai government. Although (Central) Thai is a closely related Southwestern Tai language, it falls within a different subbranch. Central Thai and Isan are mutual ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Isan People
The Isan people (, , ; , ; , ; ) or literally Northeastern people are an ethnic group native to Isan, Northeastern Thailand with an estimated population of about 22 million. Alternative terms for this group are ''T(h)ai Isan'', ''Thai-Lao'', ''Lao Isan'', or ''Isan Lao''. Like Thai people, Central Thai (Siamese) and Lao people, Lao, they belong to the linguistic family of Tai peoples. In a broader sense, everyone who comes from the 20 northeastern provinces of Thailand may be called ''khon isan''. In the narrower sense, the term refers only to the Lao people, ethnic Lao who make up the majority population in most parts of the region. After the failed Lao rebellion (1826–1828), Lao Rebellion in 1826, the region witnessed mass forced population transfers of ethnic Lao into Isan. Following the separation of Isan from the historical Lao Kingdom, its integration into the Thai nation state and the central government's policy of "Thaification", they have developed a distinct r ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Surin Province
Surin (, ; , ; ) is one of Thailand's seventy-seven Provinces of Thailand, provinces (''changwat''). It lies in Isan#Administrative divisions, lower northeastern Thailand, also called Isan. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Buriram province, Buriram, Maha Sarakham province, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et province, Roi Et, and Sisaket province, Sisaket. To the south it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia. Surin covers a total area of from the Mun River in the north to the Dangrek Mountains in the south. The capital, Surin, Thailand, Surin city, in the western central region province is from Bangkok. The area of present-day Surin has long history of human settlement which dates back to prehistoric times. Historically the region has been ruled by various powerful kingdoms including the Angkorian Khmer Empire, the Lao kingdom Lan Xang, and the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya Kingdom, Ayutthaya. Reflecting this history as part the greater geo-cultural area of Thailand known as Isan, ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima (, ) is the capital of Nakhon Ratchasima province, the largest city in Isan, Northeastern Thailand and the List of municipalities in Thailand#Largest cities by urban population, third-largest city in Thailand. It is 250 km (155.43 mi) northeast of Bangkok, one of the four major cities of Isan (Northeast Thailand), known as the "big four of Isan", and has a population of 466,098 people as of 2021. The city is commonly known as Korat (, ), a shortened form of its name. Korat is at the western edge of the Korat Plateau. Historically, it once marked the boundary between Laos, Lao and Thailand, Siam territory. It is the gateway to the Lao-speaking northeast of Thailand. Toponymy Archaeological evidence suggests that in Amphoe Sung Noen, Sung Noen District 32 km west of present-day Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) there were two ancient towns called ''Sema'' ("Bai sema" () are notable artifacts of the Korat plateau) and ''Khorakapura''. (Pali ''púra'' becomes Sansk ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  




Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival (), the most elaborate of the traditional parading of candles to wats (), is held in Ubon Ratchathani, Isan, Thailand, around the days of '' Asanha Puja'' (which commemorates Lord Buddha's first sermon) and '' Wan Kao Pansa'' (which marks the beginning of vassa). At the start of the Lenten period, it is traditional in preparation for the rainy season for the devout to donate to items for the personal use of monks, and of candles to dispel gloom in their quarters and elsewhere within the wat. The latter is often the core event of many village celebrations, but is at its most elaborate in the Ubon Ratchathani version, which nowadays is a major event both for residents and for tourists: giant candles are paraded through the town, each representing a local temple, district or other institution. The more elaborate versions are accompanied by scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology sculpted in wood or plaster and coated with wax. Of course, these ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Nakhon Phanom Province
Nakhon Phanom province (, , ; , ) is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (''changwat'') lies in upper northeastern Thailand also called Isan. Directly adjacent provinces are (from south clockwise): Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, and Bueng Kan. To the northeast it borders Khammouan of Laos. Geography The province, in the Mekong River valley, is mostly plains. The northern part of the province has a more upland, forest-covered character. The main river in the northern part is the Songkhram River with the smaller Oun River. The southern part is flatter with the Kum River as its only notable watercourse. The provincial capital, the city of Nakhon Phanom, is on the banks of the Mekong. The total forest area is or 14 percent of provincial area. National parks There are two national parks, along with five other national parks, make up region 10 (Udon Thani) of Thailand's protected areas. * Phu Pha Yon National Park, * Phu Langka National Park, and includes the Tat Kham and ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Buriram Province
Buriram province (, , ) is one of Thailand's seventy-seven Provinces of Thailand, provinces (''changwat'') and lies in Isan#Administrative divisions, lower northeastern Thailand, also called Isan. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Sa Kaeo province, Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen province, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham province, Maha Sarakham, and Surin province, Surin. The name "Buriram" means 'city of happiness'. Geography Buriram is at the south end of the Khorat Plateau, with several extinct volcanoes around the province. The southern limit of the province is a mountainous area at the limit between the Sankamphaeng Range and the Dângrêk Mountains. The total forest area is or 8.8 percent of provincial area. National park The province has one national park. Along with three other national parks, the park makes up Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand, region 1 (Prachinburi) of Thailand's protected areas. * Ta Phraya Natio ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Sakon Nakhon Province
Sakon Nakhon (, ; , ) is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (''changwat''). It lies in upper northeastern Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Kalasin, and Udon Thani. Its capital is Sakon Nakhon. Toponymy The word ''sakon'' originates from the Sanskrit word ''sakala'' (Devanagari: सकल) meaning 'entire', 'whole', or 'total', and the word ''nakhon'' from Sanskrit ''nagara'' (Devanagari: नगर) meaning 'town' or 'city'. Hence the name of the province literally means "city of cities". Geography The province is on the Khorat Plateau, not far from the Mekong. The Nong Han lake, the biggest natural lake of northeast Thailand, near the city of Sakon Nakhon, is a popular resort. The Phu Phan Mountains delimit the province to the south. The total forest area is or 17.7 percent of provincial area. National parks There are three national parks, along with four other national parks, make up regio ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Regions Of Thailand
Thailand is variably divided into different sets of regions, the most notable of which are the six-region grouping used in geographic studies, and the four-region grouping consistent with the Monthon administrative regional grouping system formerly used by the Ministry of Interior (Thailand), Ministry of Interior. These regions are the largest subdivisions of the country. In contrast to the administrative divisions of the provinces of Thailand, the regions no longer have an administrative character, but are used for statistical or academic purposes. Grouping systems A six-region system is commonly used for geographical and scientific purposes. This system dates to 1935. It was formalised in 1977 by the National Geographical Committee, which was appointed by the National Research Council. It divides the country into the following regions: * Northern Thailand * Isan, Northeastern Thailand * Western Thailand * Central Thailand * Eastern Thailand * Southern Thailand The four-re ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Phanom Rung Historical Park
Phanom Rung Historical Park is an archaeological site in Thailand, covering the ruins of Prasat Phanom Rung (, ), a Hindu Khmer Empire temple complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano at elevation. It is located in Buriram Province in the Isan region of Thailand, and was built at a time when Khmer social-political influences were significant in Srisaket. It was built of sandstone and laterite between the 10th and 13th centuries. It was a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, and symbolises Mount Kailash, his heavenly dwelling. The Phanom Rung sanctuary compound was constructed over several phases, dated by means of iconography of its art and architectural styles together with its inscriptions. These comprise two foundations of sacred brick buildings of 10th century C.E., the minor sanctuary of 11th century, the central sanctuary built by King Suryavarman II in 12th century and two Bannalais (libraries) of the 13th century. Further sacred buildings built in the reign of King Jayava ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Amnat Charoen Province
Amnat Charoen (, ; , ) is one of Thailand's seventy-six Provinces of Thailand, provinces (''changwat'') and lies Isan#Administrative divisions, central northeastern Thailand, also called Isan. Neighbouring provinces are (clockwise from the south) Ubon Ratchathani province, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon province, Yasothon, and Mukdahan province, Mukdahan. To the east it borders Savannakhet province, Savannakhet of Laos. Its name is a concatenation of อำนาจ ("authority, power") and เจริญ ("prosperous"). Geography The province is in the Mekong valley. In dry season, from February to May, water in Mekong River declines, and allows islands to appear. Islands include Kaeng Tanglang at Si Sombun Village, close to Amphoe Chanuman, and Kaeng Hin Khan at Ban Hin Khan, 30 kilometres south of Amphoe Chanuman. The other two rivers in the province are the Lam Sae Bok and Lam Sae Bai. The total forest area is or 9.5 percent of provincial area. National Park There is one natio ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Phu Kradueng National Park
Phu Kradueng National Park (), in the Si Than sub-district of Amphoe Phu Kradueng, Loei Province, is a national park in Thailand. It has a high point of 1,316 m (4318 ft) elevation at Khok Moei. It was proclaimed a national park on 23 November 1962, making it the second national park of Thailand after Khao Yai National Park. The park is closed to visitors during the rainy season (1 June - 30 September). Toponymy "Phu" () comes from the Thai-Isan language, Isan word "phukao" (), meaning mountain. The name "kradueng" (), or "krading" () in the local dialect of Loei Province, can be translated as "rakhang yai" (), meaning "large bell". This name comes from a legend relating to a Buddhist holiday. During the holiday many of the townspeople heard the sound of a large bell. They believed it to be the bell of Indra. Geography Phu Kradueng mountain, made up of Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstone formations, takes the form of a mesa towering some 1,000 meters above the surrou ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]