Centered on the pretty Bueng Plan Chai Lake, Roi Et is an attractive city in Thailand’s north-eastern Isan Region. I spent a night in town while making my way from the isolated Pha Thaem National Park to Mukdahan and very much enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere, friendly locals and wacky temples.
Like many destinations in that corner of the country, Roi Et sees hardly any foreign visitors, and part of the appeal of coming here is the chance to simply wander around its streets and see a part of Thailand that is so far removed from beach resorts and full moon parties that it seems like an entirely different country altogether.
That said, there are a few attractions that I suggest you check out while you’re in town. Here’s my personal list of the best things to do in Roi Et.
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7 Awesome Things to Do in Roi Et, Thailand
Most of Roi Et’s sights are located in the historic town centre, which is centred on Bueng Phlan Chai Lake and surrounded by sections of the former moat.
Bueng Phlan Chai Lake
This pretty lake sits in the centre of the city and contains a big island with a nicely-manicured park, which is a great place to kick back for a while. The island is home to Roi Et’s Lak Meuang (City Pillar Shrine) and to a golden Walking Buddha Statue, which is considered one of the city’s symbols.
There’s also a small artificial waterfall, surrounded by crudely-made sculptures of crocodiles and tigers, and you can rent pedal boats to traverse the lake, if that’s your thing.
Roi Et National Museum
The city’s surprisingly big museum details the local and regional history, with some intricate stone carvings and statues from the Dvaraviti and Lopburi Eras. Don’t miss the stone lintel depicting the god Indra on his three-headed elephant.
There are also loads of prehistoric pottery and some impressively detailed bronze votive tablets, as well as a few life-sized dioramas depicting scenes of Isan village life in bygone times. Another focus is on the regional industry of silk production.
The museum can be found along Thanon Ploenjit in the south-eastern part of the city centre, a bit east of the town hall. The entrance fee is 100฿.
Wat Burapha Phiram
The enormous golden Buddha Statue at this temple towers over the otherwise flat city centre. At 60m, this is the tallest standing Buddha Image in Thailand, and its base contains a small museum. The other temple buildings are pretty enough, but nothing special compared with most temples in the country.
The temple can be found along Thanon Phadung Phanit at the north-eastern corner of the old town (directly to the west of the moat).
Wat Klang Ming Meuang
Much older than the nearby Wat Burapha Phiram, this temple is thought to even predate the founding of the city. The ubosot (ordination hall) was built in the Ayutthaya Period (between 1351–1767) and is covered in beautiful paintings recounting tales from the Jataka – the former lives of the Gautama Buddha.
There’s also a small view tower offering modest views of the surrounding area. The temple can be found a few blocks west of Wat Burapha Phiram, directly to the north of Thanon Phadung Phanit.
Roi Et Municipality Aquarium
The small Aquarium contains a variety of fish from the Mekong and other Isan Waterways, including some Mekong Giant Catfish. There are twenty-some smallish tanks, as well as a big one with an underwater glasstunnel.
I wouldn’t say this is a must-see sight, but it’s a nice place to kill half an hour or so. The aquarium sits at the south-western corner of Bueng Phlan Chai Lake. The entrance fee is 30฿.
Wat Nuea
This temple is centred on an atmospheric courtyard with a giant Bodhi Tree and an 8th-century brick stupa. There are also a few unusual shrines, including one with tons of black rooster statues, which I couldn’t quite figure out.
I had a very funny interaction with an excited 50-something monk here, who utterly bombarded me with pieces of Buddhist Wisdom, didn’t let me get a word in edgewise, and then proceeded to pull me by the wrist through the temple to show me various details, much to my puzzlement (and the amusement of his fellow monks). Did I mention that Westerners are in short supply in this part of Thailand?
Wat Neua can be found to the north-west of the lake, north of Thanon Phadung Phanit.
Take a Trip to Wat Pa Non Sawan
Honestly, I’ve come across a few strange temples in Thailand, but Wat Pa Non Sawan probably takes the cake. It’s filled to bursting with weird statues of exotic animals, demons and deities doing god knows what.
I’m sure part of it has to do with the fact that I’m an ignorant farang, but I also talked to some Thais who couldn’t make heads or tails of most of the imagery. That said, it’s a wonderful place to explore and constantly be surprised by another wacky detail.
The temple sits in an isolated location in the countryside, about 30km/20mi. east of Roi Et near the village von Ban Thoet Thai. I didn’t find a place that rented scooters in town, but you can take an eastbound bus (going to Ubon Ratchathani, for instance) and ask them to drop you off at the Highway 23 near the turn-off for the temple.
From there it’s still 8km/5mi. to the Wat, but you might be lucky and get a lift – I managed to hitchhike both ways. You can check out my dedicated guide to the temple here.
A One-Day Itinerary for Roi Et
If you have one day in town, I suggest you start by taking a trip to Wat Pa Non Sawan in the morning and spend the rest of the day exploring Roi Et Proper. There, you could start with the museum and Aquarium, before making your way across the big island in Bueng Phlan Chai Lake to Wat Neua.
Finish your explorations with a visit to the unusual temple of Wat Klang Ming Meuang and the big golden Buddha at Wat Burapha Phiram, before grabbing some dinner at the Night Market (or White Elephant if you prefer a restaurant).
Map of Roi Et
The sights mentioned above can be found in this map of Roi Et, which also includes some possible accommodation options.
Practicalities
How to Get to Roi Et and Away
Roi Et is well-connected to other cities in the Isan Region and beyond by public buses. The city’s bus terminal is about 1km/0.6mi. west of the lake along Thanon Thewaphiban and has several daily connections to Nakhon Ratchasima (about 3 hours), Khon Kaen (about 2 hours), Ubon Ratchathani (about 3 hours) and Bangkok (about 8 hours) among others.
The Best Hotels in Roi Et
I stayed in the cheap Saithip Hotel (+66 43 515 515), which was basic, but clean and located next to Bueng Phlan Chai Lake. There are also a few well-rated mid-range options in town, like Le Park 23 Boutique Resort or Hop Inn Roi Et.
Where to Go Next
Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand’s ‘Royal Lotus City’