Roi Et
Travel Guide

If you want somewhere easy to explore on foot without a long drive, the starting point in Roi Et city is Bueng Phlan Chai, a downtown public park centered on a large lake. It has an island in the middle of the lake connected by bridges, a city pillar shrine, garden areas, playground equipment for kids, and a path around the lake for walking or cycling. Locals use it as a place to exercise and unwind in the morning and evening. The atmosphere is shaded by big trees, and the evening — with soft sun and cool breeze — is the most pleasant time to walk, with several nice photo spots along the water.

Right next door, within walking distance, is Ho Wod 101, Roi Et's city-viewing tower, a tall building designed to resemble a khaen, the traditional Isan reed instrument. Up top there's a viewing deck and a glass floor that lets you look straight down at the city in a 360-degree view, including Bueng Phlan Chai and the layout of Roi Et from high above. Inside there are exhibits on the city's history and local culture. Going up for the view in the evening near sunset, or at night once the city lights are on, gives an especially beautiful atmosphere. There's an admission fee and opening hours you should check before heading over.

Based on real reviews across several platforms, people praise Bueng Phlan Chai as a green lung in the middle of the city that's pleasant to stroll around and free to enter, while Ho Wod is seen as a new landmark with wide views from the top and great photo opportunities. Worth knowing: midday sun is strong and hot, so it's best to visit in the morning or evening, and the glass floor at Ho Wod may not suit anyone afraid of heights. These two spots sit downtown within walking distance of each other, making a comfortable half-day pairing and a good starting point before heading out to the outskirts.

If your trip is all about temples and merit-making, Roi Et has two spots that draw a lot of visitors. The first is downtown: Wat Burapha Phiram, home to the Phra Phuttha Rattana Mongkol Maha Muni, commonly known as the tall standing Buddha, which serves as the twin symbol of Roi Et city. Including its base, the standing Buddha is extremely tall and visible from far away. You can walk up inside the base, and it's a place where people come to pay respects and ask for blessings. The temple grounds are in the city near Bueng Phlan Chai, so it pairs easily with the downtown side within half a day.

The other spot people make a point of visiting is Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol at Wat Pha Nam Thip Thep Prasit Wanaram in Nong Phok district, about 80 kilometers north of the city. It's a huge white-and-gold pagoda set on a hill, decorated with stucco patterns and murals across several levels inside. You can walk up to the higher floors, and it offers a wide viewpoint over the forested hills of the Phu Phan mountain range on the Roi Et side. Since it's far from the city and up on high ground, allow extra travel time and plan it as a full-day trip separate from the in-town side.

Based on real reviews, people who visit Wat Burapha Phiram enjoy paying respects to the standing Buddha, a landmark of the province that's easy to reach right in the city. Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol, meanwhile, draws praise for its grand pagoda and beautiful views from up top. Worth knowing: Chedi Chai Mongkol is far away and up a hill, so a private vehicle is recommended, and morning is best for good weather and clear views. Both are sacred sites, so dress modestly, and Buddhist holy days or long holidays get crowded — avoid those days if you want a quieter atmosphere.

If you're visiting Roi Et for its ancient sites, the cluster of Khmer ruins in the south of the province forms the core of the trip, since the Suwannaphum and Kaset Wisai areas sit on the old Khmer cultural route and hold several stone ruins. The most-visited is Ku Phra Kona in Suwannaphum district, about 60 kilometers from the city — a group of three prangs on a single base built from brick and sandstone, with a modern temple built over the same grounds. What stands out to visitors is the lintels and carved patterns still visible, and how naturally the ruins coexist with the present-day temple.

Another spot that pairs well is Ku Ka Sing in Kaset Wisai district, about 70 kilometers from the city — a Khmer ruin that has been restored enough to show a clear layout, with a main prang, satellite prangs, and a surrounding boundary wall. It's a great place to learn about Khmer history and makes for beautiful photos. If you'd rather not travel all the way to the southern side, you can stop by Wat Pa Kung, or Wat Pracha Khom Wanaram, in Si Somdet district, about 25 kilometers from the city, which has a large sandstone chedi modeled after Indonesia's Borobudur, complete with tiered walkways you can climb and explore. It's a photogenic temple that's easier to reach since it's closer to the city.

Based on real reviews, visitors appreciate that the ruins in this area aren't crowded, allowing for a peaceful walk and plenty of time for photos. Ku Phra Kona and Ku Ka Sing show off clear stonework and layout, while Wat Pa Kung stands out for its unusual Borobudur-style sandstone chedi. Worth preparing for: most of the ruins sit in open, sun-exposed areas, so go in the morning or evening to avoid the midday heat, and Ku Phra Kona and Ku Ka Sing are in separate districts a fair distance from the city, so a private vehicle and a full day are recommended. If you're short on time, Wat Pa Kung near the city is a good alternative.

If your trip is all about swimming and relaxing as a family, Selaphum district on the eastern side of the province is home to Bueng Kluea, which people call the Isan sea. It's a huge freshwater lake so wide it looks like the sea stretching to the horizon. Along the shore there's a sandy beach where you can swim at certain times of year, inner tubes for rent, and restaurants and waterside stalls where you can sit, eat, and enjoy the breeze. It has become a popular weekend getaway for people from Roi Et and nearby provinces, with a relaxed atmosphere that's great for bringing kids and family to swim and eat by the water.

Besides swimming, there are paths around the lake for walking and cycling, waterside photo spots, and at certain times, water activities like boats or rafts for extra fun. Evenings, with soft sun and a cool breeze, are the most pleasant time to sit by the lake. Food here is mostly Isan dishes and made-to-order meals served waterside at affordable prices. A trip to Bueng Kluea suits anyone wanting a laid-back outing without much walking, focused on relaxing and enjoying the breeze by the water.

Based on real reviews, visitors love how the lake is genuinely wide like a real sea, that you can swim, and that there are plenty of waterside dining spots, making it great for families. Worth knowing: the water level is highest and swimming is most fun from summer through early rainy season, while in dry-season years the water may recede and the beach conditions can change, so check conditions before heading out, and long holidays draw especially large crowds. Bueng Kluea is about 30 to 35 kilometers from the city, so plan on a private vehicle and aim for afternoon to evening to avoid the midday sun.