Bangkok (Thailand) – February 21, 2017 (travelindex.com) – Thailand's northeastern Isan region was recently named one of the 17 best travel destinations worldwide for 2017. The vast and culturally diverse region of Thailand is featured on a list of global destinations compiled by CNN's travel experts.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “Isan has a long history and is home to some of the oldest settlements in Southeast Asia. Today, the region is famous for its spicy salads, country music, stunning scenery, and magnificent temples. There is so much to discover here, and most of it remains hidden from tourists. That's why we encourage everyone to explore Isan and experience its own fascinating stories.”

The flowers of the Red Lotus Lake in the Kum Pavapi district of Udon Thani are typically in full bloom from New Year's Day until about February. Tourists can rent a boat to admire the red lotus flowers up close and enjoy the natural beauty of the freshwater lake and its surrounding waters, which provide a habitat for a variety of fish, birds, wildlife, and aquatic plants.

The CNN list was compiled by CNN's travel experts and international reporters who named their favorite travel destinations worldwide for a feature on the news network's influential website. Other destinations on the CNN list included Penang in Malaysia, Colombia, Bordeaux in France, Bhutan, Albania, and Senegal.

Isan was described as "a part of Thailand that remains largely untapped by the international market." CNN also highlighted Isan's "excellent infrastructure," including domestic airports and hotels.

CNN also reported on Isan's most famous food exports, sticky rice and papaya salad, which are among Thailand's best dishes – provided the guests can tolerate the spiciness.

International Public Relations Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel.: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48, Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.TATnews.org