Welcome to Northeastern Thailand

The northeast of Thailand, or Isan (pronounced ee-săhn) as it’s usually known, stretches from the wild Mekong River (Mae Nam Khong in Thai) down to the edges of the Khorat Plateau, and is home to Thailand's best national parks and most ancient temple ruins. Rich in religious significance and influenced by nearby Cambodia and Laos, it has a culture and food all its own... Read More

Top experiences in Northeastern Thailand

Recent articles

Walks on the wild side: best places to stretch your legs in northeast Thailand

So you've partied on Pha-Ngan, snorkelled off Similan and temple-toured in Chiang Mai. If you're now looking for somewhere to just get out and stretch your legs, Thailand's little-visited northeast may have just what you need. ‘Isan’, as it’s called, has a rugged charm all its own, with plateaus, mountains and jungles that lend to great walks and hikes.

Sunrise at Nam Nao National Park, northeastern Thailand © Marit321 / Getty Images
Bruce Evans
Lonely Planet Writer

How to interact ethically with elephants in Thailand

For many people, riding on the back of an elephant in Thailand is the ultimate bucket list experience. However, there’s now overwhelming evidence to support claims by animal welfare experts that this form of tourism is not only unsustainable, but ultimately harmful for Asia’s gentle giants.

You can barely turn a corner in Thailand without seeing a billboard touting elephant rides or shows, but, bafflingly, the nation has yet to implement laws to protect its captive elephant population. Unbeknown to many travellers, newly-captive and captive-born Asian elephants are traditionally subject to systematic abuse in order to ‘train’ them to accept riders and perform in shows. It might also come as a surprise to learn that elephants don’t have very strong backs. Experts claim that adult elephants can only support a maximum of around 150kgs on the middle of their back for up to four hours per day, but many of Thailand’s elephants work eight hour shifts, carrying two riders at a time. Metal seats, which tend to be used over lighter bamboo versions, add an extra 50kgs. And this is before factoring in whether these elephants have adequate access to water, healthy food (not just sugary bananas handed out by tour operators) and shade.
Sarah Reid
Lonely Planet Writer

Travel guides

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Northeastern Thailand adventures

$896.20 Small group tours

4-Day Northeast Thailand Heritage and Temples Tour from Bangkok

Explore the Northeast of Thailand, commonly known as Isaan with this 4 day Private Tour. The tour starts in Bangkok and covers Korat, Saraburi, Khao Yai, Pimai, Phanom Rung, Muang Tam, Surin, Si Saket and Ubon Ratchathani.
$2599 Nature & wildlife

Thailand, Laos & Vietnam Adventure

See the highlights of Indochina on this epic 22-day adventure. Explore the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok, marvel at the majestic granite peak of Doi Suthep, explore a traditional Hmong village, and savour noodles in Chiang Mai. Shop for souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City and join the locals sipping coffee at a lakeside café in Hanoi. Your CEOs will take care of the transport, hotels, and many of the included activities, which makes this adventure the perfect balance between have-to-see highlights and free time to venture out on your own.
$60.58 Sightseeing tours

Private Tour: Golden Triangle, Mekong River and Laos Village Experience from Chiang Rai

Travel with a private guide from Chiang Rai to the Golden Triangle region, visiting hill tribe villages and historical towns before crossing the border into Laos via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, which spans the Mekong River. Enjoy great photo ops at the tripoint border where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, see 13th-century Lanna ruins in Chiang Saen, stop for a Thai lunch in Chiang Khong, and visit a village and market in Laos. With the assistance of your private guide, you’re sure to enjoy a fascinating day out. Your day starts with pickup from your Chiang Rai hotel by your private guide for the ride to your first destination, Chiang Saen, located about one hour from Chiang Rai on the outskirts of the Golden Triangle. The sleepy riverside town of Chiang Saen was once the seat of the powerful Lanna kingdom that ruled northern Thailand for several hundred years, starting in the 13th century. Take a look at old temples and other ruins with your guide while you learn a bit about the region's history, and then head to a lookout point to see the Golden Triangle, the tripoint border of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos that's one of the world's largest opium-producing areas. Snap some photos, then hop back in your private vehicle to drive toward the town of Chiang Khong, stopping along the way at Baan Kiew Karn, a hilltop village populated by the people of the White Hmong and Lahu hill tribes. Chat with some of the villagers with the assistance of your guide, and take in stunning views of jungle-clad mountains.Next, head to Chiang Khong for lunch at local restaurant. Choose from a Thai menu that includes vegetable and meat dishes served with rice, flavorful soups, and possibly even a rare Mekong River catfish dish. After lunch, drive 6 miles (10 km) to reach the recently opened Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, which crosses the Mekong River to link Thailand and Laos. Your guide helps you with the visa-on-arrival process, which involves going through Thai and Laos immigration offices on both sides of the bridge and paying the visa fee in either US dollars or Thai baht. (Passport holders from some countries cannot get a visa on arrival; please see the Additional Info for a list of those countries.)Once you have entered into Laos, go with your guide by local transport to a hill tribe village about 30 minutes away. You have about an hour to see the village, visit a local market and take in the sights of rural Laos before returning to the bridge to cross back into Thailand and head back to Chiang Rai. Your day trip ends with drop-off at your hotel.

$206.75 Small group tours

Overnight Doi Inthanon National Park Tour with Hill Tribe Homestay

Doi Inthanon National park with it’s highest peak rising 2,565 metres above sea level is located just one hour’s drive from Chiang Mai city. During 2 days of exploration, participants will visit Doi Inthanon main attractions and trek through valley and jungle. We will get the chance to meet with Karen hill-tribe people during an overnight stay with a local family. Watch or listen to birds in the forest, refresh in waterfalls, and visit the two pagodas near the summit.
$143.75 Small group tours

Private Tour: 3-Day Mae Tang Trekking Tour

Get ready to be blown away by this once in a lifetime 3-Day, 2-Night trekking tour through the largest scaled field in the same area nearby Mae Tang River. Enjoy the Elephant ride around the scenic views of the vast jungle and mountains. Get excited to experience bamboo rafting along the Mae Tang River. Immerse yourself in the distinct and unique culture of the hill tribes who have their own dialects and traditions for you to witness.
$135.86 Small group tours

4-Day Yoga Retreat in Chiang Mai

Put down your backpack and recharge your batteries in Chiang Mai. Thailand's northern capital is the perfect place for a yoga escape with its blissfully calm and very laid-back ambience.
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Northeastern Thailand photo credits