| Southern Isan | |
 | |
| State | Thailand |
|---|---|
 | ATTENTION: Travel in the border area of the province of Sisaket can be dangerous and is strongly discouraged by most embassies due to an ongoing border dispute between Thailand is Cambodia. These disputes escalated into violence in April 2009, February 2011 and May 2011, causing at least 41 deaths between military and civilian forces. |
Southern Isan is a region ofIsan in Thailand.
To know
Geographical notes
Geographically it is part of the Mun River basin.
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
- Buriram (บุรีรัมย์) - Once part of the Khmer Empire and many ruins from that period attest to its destruction, such as Phanom Rung Historical Park.
- Chong Mek (ช่อง เม็ก) - The city is the only land crossing open to most travelers between the Thailand and the Laos.
- Kantharalak (กันทรลักษ์) - Access point for Preah Vihear.
- Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา or Korat) - The largest city in theIsan, and the third of the Thailand after Bangkok is Chiang Mai.
- Nang Rong (นางรอง) - With the Khmer ruins of Phanom Rung and Muang Tam.
- Pak Chong (ปากช่อง) - The main district in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima.
- Phimai (พิมาย) - The site of historic Khmer ruins.
- Sisaket (ศรีสะเกษ) - Capital of the province of the same name.
- Surin (สุรินทร์) - The site of the annual Surin Elephant Round-up which takes place on the third weekend of November.
- Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี) - Located on the northern bank of the Mun River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong.
Other destinations
- Khao Yai National Park - The first Thai national park which is also a site protected byUNESCO.
- Phanom Rung - Temple complex near the towns of Buriram is Nang Rong. The whole area bordering the Cambodia it is dotted with temples from the Khmer era. Among these the most notable is Prasat Hin Muang Tum, (Stone castle of the humble city) dating back to the 11th century.
How to get
How to get around
What see
Itineraries
- Preah Vihear - Khmer temple which is actually located in Cambodia. Access from the Thailand it depends on the diplomacy between the two countries which is sometimes a bit fluctuating.
What to do
At the table
Safety
Before embarking on the journey consult:
- Safe travel - Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Farnesina) (Country safety information).
