The Fascinating Route Around Central lsan-Maha Sarakham Roi Et-Yasothon

Mentioning Central Isan. Maha Sarakham. Roi Et and Yasothon and many would just scratch their heads trying to think of tourist attractions. Some might even be reminded of Thung Kula Ronghai the Weeping Prairie-referring to the distressed merchants who had to cross the vast and dry prairie in the past. Central Isan today is no longer a large chunk of parched land thanks to better irrigation: Thung Kula Ronghai has been turned into a vast field of Hom Mali rice. the world-renowned premium rice. And you might find it hard to believe that there are a lot to discover in these three Central Isan provinces.
The fascinating route around Central Isan starts from Maha Sarakham which lies 503 kilometers from Bangkok. To get there, use Highway No.1, followed by Highway No.2 up to where it crosses with Highway 208, before reaching Khon Kaen Province, a distance of 442 kilometers, and follow Highway 208, passing Kosum Phisai District to Maha Sarakham, another 61 kilometers, taking about 6-7 hours in total. Using this route, you can visit Kosamphi Park, a rich Dipterocarpaceae forest inhabited by monkeys in Kosum Phisai District as a bonus. The tour itself starts from Maha Sarakham through Roi Et at Nang Phok District into Yasothon and back to Maha Sarakham via Suwannaphum District of Roi Et without retracing the same route. Going to the three provinces in such a loop covers 434 kilometers and at least 3 nights and 4 days should be reserved for the trip.
Maha Sarakham is dubbed as Taxsila of Isan, with the Isan Art and Culture Center, a source of knowledge on art, culture and handicraft of the Northeast at Rajabhat institute of Maha Sarakham, where rare palm-leaf Northeastern literature is kept, the Museum of Wat Mahachai, the depository of ancient objects such as stone temple border markers, Buddha images, door panels, carved eave brackets, and palm-leaf folk and religious literature, and Isan Art and Culture Study Center in Maha Sarakham University, where exhibitions are put up on textile weaving, wickerwork, woodwork, pottery, hunting tools, musical instruments, literature and ancient inscriptions. On the way to Roi Et on Highway 23, there are several sites to visit such a Potters Village in Khwao Sub – District, about 4 kilometers from the town, where traditional pottery art is demonstrated and products such as pots and jars can be bought as souvenirs. Highlights on this stretch include Mahathat Stupa or Ban Khwao Stupa, about 9 kilometers from the Potters Village. The laterite stupa intent shape on a square base is 8 meters high, surrounded by laterite walls on all sides, with an opening on the east. Two clay figures of Hindu deities are ensh11ned Moreover, there is Ban Chiang Hian Folk Museum nearby for those keen on folklore and artwork.
Roi Et is only 40 kilometers from Maha Sarakham. Apart from attractions on the way, there are also significant sites within Roi Et worth visiting. The first is Wat Klang Ming Mueang on Charoen Phanit Road, distinctive with murals by local craftspeople, on the exterior of the prayer hall, featuring the Lord Buddha’s life story. Another significant temple is Wat Buraphaphiram, with a huge standing Buddha called Luang Pho Yai or Phra Phuttharatanamongkol Mahamuni, in blessing posture, measuring 59.20 meters in height, or 67.85 meters with the base, the largest standing Buddha in the country. In the heart of the city is Bueng Phalanchai, a vast lake in beautiful surroundings, popular as a recreation site. Located nearby is the ancient portal of Saket Nakhon, the original name of Roi Et in the past. Simple but delicious breakfast are offered such as Chinese soup at Chao Kao Shop on Rat Uthit Road, meatball noodle at Osue Shop on Ronnachaichanyut Road, or coffee at Saha Kafae Shop on Rat Uthit Road.

Leaving Roi Et, the road runs past Thawat Buri District, with a site to visit as Prasat Nong Ku or Prang Ku, about 6 kilometers from the district, at Wat Si Ratanaram, built in the form of an ancient medical center with the main stupa, a library, the walls, portals and a pond outside the wall. From Thawat Buri District, Highway 23 leads towards Selaphum District, where the tour route diverts to Highways 2259 and 2136 towards Nang Phok District, with the main destination as Phra Maha Chedi Chaimongkhon at Wat Pha Namthip Thepprasitwararam, situated on a small hill named Pha Nam Yoi. The great white pagoda elaborately decorated in the golden pattern is 101 meters high, surrounded by corresponding pagodas on 8 directions, built in adapted traditional and modern styles. Those with time to spare who would like to camp out in the area can contact the Tham Pha Namthim No-Hunting Area office, where accommodations and camping ground are offered.
After Nang Phok District, the route heads towards Yasothon Province, through Highway 2136 up to Loeng Nok Tha District, followed by Highway 2169 for about 100 kilometers. One interesting site is the Scripture Hall o f Wat Sa Trai Nurak, at Ban Na Wiang, Sai Mun District, an ancient scripture hall in the middle of a pond, built over a century ago, in Burmese or Shan architectural style, in wood, with a tiered roof, and finely carved door panels. The temple is only 25 kilometers from Yasothon Province.
Mentioning Yasothon and people’s minds turn to the spectacular Rocket Festival of the 6th Lunar Month, now established on the tourist calendar. This rain inducement rate is generally held in the Northeast, but the rocket festival of Yasothon is held as a major event in the province. There are several sites to visit here as well, starting in the city area at Wat Mahathat, an ancient temple with Phra That Yasothon, or Phra That Ananda, believed to house the relics of the chief disciple, the Elder Ananda, Enshrined here is a fine Buddha image of Chiang Saen style, Phra Phuttha Busayarat or Phra Kaeo Yod Namkhang the Dewdrop Gem Buddha, in meditation posture. Also, around Wat Sing Tha in the city area, you can find well conserved Old Commercial Buildings, another rare sight.

Outside the city, a significant site is Phra That Kong Khao Noi, about 9 kilometers from the city on Highway 23 leading to Ubon Ratchathani Province. The ancient pagoda in brick and stucco takes the form of a cooked rice container. On the back one finds a Buddha image in brick, highly revered by the people. A legend told of a young farmer who killed his mother in hunger rage, seeing the little rice container brought by her. He later built the pagoda in repentance of his great sin.
Further from Yasothon Province is Suwannaphum District, reached through Highway 202 which turns back towards Roi Et Province. A significant site is Ku Phra Ko Na, with 3 stupas of ancient Khmer style, in good condition, the one on the north with a gable featuring Ramayana story and a Lintel featuring God Narai Sleeping on His Naga Throne over the front portal, and the one on the south with a lintel featuring the heavenly beings sitting on their knees in the niches over the Kala faces. The area around the site is a rich primary forest with a large number of monkeys. From here, a short-cut of about 18 kilometers leads to Ku Ka Sing in Kaset Wisai District. The 3-top stupa on laterite base on the Khmer or Bapaun style was build in 9th-10th centuries A.D. It is flanked by the libraries on the front, and surrounded by walls with portals on the four directions, and the horseshoe shape moat.
From this point. the route heads towards Na Dun District of Maha Sarakham Province by Highway 202, followed by Highway 2269 in Pathumrat District. Na Dun, a small district, is significant as the site of Champasri City in the past. Excavations turned up numerous artifacts, including gold, silver and bronze urns containing the holy relics, dating back to the 7th-9th centuries A.D. Phra That Na Dun was built at the site where the stupa was discovered. In the neighborhood, one finds a herb garden, an Isan Cultural Village, and an Isan Ox-Cart Museum. Also, at Wat Dong Bang, a tiny temple nearby, you can find a line small prayer hall decorated with murals in the exterior.
The final site on the route is at Na Chueak District, next to Na Dun District, where the rare and endangered Meaty Crab, or Thaipotamon Chulabhorn Naiyanet has been found in Dun Lamphan No- Hunting Area. Information boards have been put up, with the crabs shown in the glass cabinets to visitors. Front here, the route turns into a loop through Highways 2381 and 219 to Borabue District, followed by Highway 23 back to Maha Sarakham Province.

Category: Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon