On my first visit to Roi Et, in the heart of Thailand's underrated Isaan region, my now-husband told me a funny anecdote. "Some Thais jokingly call Roi Et 'LA,'" he said, referring to Los Angeles. He tried to pronounce the city's Thai initials so they sounded like "L" and "A." (He didn't succeed.)

That's a good thing, too: Roi Et's real name means "one hundred and one" in Thai. This supposedly refers to the number of gates in the old city... which, however, was not 101, but 11. The mystery continues to deepen.

Aside from the name, there's much more to do in Roi Et than you might expect without having seen it first. Shall we start by exploring it?

Accommodation in Roi Et

The bad news? As in many other towns in the Isaan region, the hotels in Roi Et leave much to be desired. There are no particularly charming or memorable accommodations; most are even located somewhat outside the tourist center. This isn't really a problem, of course, since you'll need a car to get to and from town anyway. While the center of Roi Et is pedestrian-friendly, the province as a whole is anything but, so "convenient" is a relative term.

The good news? Internet speeds in Roi Et are just as fast as in the rest of Thailand. This means you can spend productive evenings online wherever you are – whether you're watching the latest episode of your favorite show or catching up on emails and participating in Zoom meetings from your home office. As you can imagine, I mostly spend my time at the hotel editing photos and taking notes that will later become blog posts!

Activities in Roi Et

Climb up to the Roi Et Tower

Opened in 2021, the Roi Et Tower is one of Thailand's newest landmarks, though many foreign tourists are unaware of it. The tower's architecture is impressive and distinctive, but above all, it offers fantastic views of the city and the surrounding landscape.

Take a walk around Bueng Phlan Chai Lake

For a city of this size (and especially for one in Thailand), Roi Et offers a surprising amount of green space. This is particularly true of Bueng Phlan Chai Lake, which I highly recommend for your Roi Et trip. It's surrounded by a walking and running path reminiscent of Lumphini Park in Bangkok!

Admire Thailand's largest standing Buddha

Another landmark of Roi Et? Luangpho Yai, Thailand's tallest standing Buddha. It's visible from everywhere in Roi Et, whether you're strolling or hiking around the lake, looking down from the Roi Et Tower, or walking beneath the Buddha statue and admiring it from the ground.

Eat lots of Isaan food

Wondering what to eat in Roi Et? Try the Isaan cuisine! Like most cities in the region, Roi Et is a sure bet for spicy and delicious dishes, including Som Tam (papaya salad), Larb (meat salad), and tasty Gai Yang (grilled chicken). Desserts like Roti Sai Mai are also highly recommended!

Make a pilgrimage to Wat Pha Nam Yoi

To be honest, Wat Pha Nam Yoi was the real reason for my visit to Roi Et. The temple (also known as Phanamthip Thepprasitwanaram) is located about 90 minutes outside the city center and is both traditional and surreal – it's definitely worth the trip.

How long should one spend in Roi Et?

Roi Et is not a large city, and the prefecture as a whole is not particularly large compared to Isaan. However, due to the lack of infrastructure—those without their own car or who don't rent one are dependent on a private driver—getting around takes a long time. So even if you arrive on the first flight from Bangkok and book a seat on the last departure, it is realistically impossible to fully explore Roi Et without spending at least one night there.

On the other hand, the question of how many days one should spend in Roi Et can be answered quite openly. A week (or something similar) would be excessive for most travelers, but I consider stays of medium length (3 days/2 nights or 2 days/1 night) to be perfectly reasonable. This is especially true if you are planning Roi Et between other destinations in the Isaan region, such as Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

Other frequently asked questions about visiting Roi Et

What is Roi Et known for?

To be honest, Roi Et isn't particularly well-known. While it's home to the tallest standing Buddha statue in Thailand, it's simply not a popular tourist destination. Of course, you can take advantage of that: few places are as remote as Roi Et.

Is Roi Et safe?

Compared to other cities in Thailand, Roi Et is at least as safe. The biggest dangers include traffic accidents, bites from stray dogs, and petty crime. It is extremely unlikely to become a victim of a violent crime in Roi Et or anywhere in the Isaan region.

How do I get to Roi Et?

Roi Et is accessible daily via direct flights from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport. Alternatively, you can reach Roi Et by car from larger cities in Isaan. There are also limited minivan and bus services from places like Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani. Keep in mind that even if you arrive by plane, you will likely need a car or motorbike to explore Roi Et and the surrounding area.

Conclusion

I hope my compilation of sights in Roi Et inspires you to visit. Even among Thailand's hidden gems, Roi Et remains a true insider tip. Whether you stay in the city center and admire Thailand's tallest standing Buddha or take a day trip to a surreal temple on the outskirts, the wonders of Roi Et belie its location in a rarely visited corner of Thailand. Of course, Roi Et shines even brighter as part of an Isaan tour, and I hope you experience it that way. However or why you visit Roi Et, I would be delighted if you would entrust me with planning your Thailand trip!