9 Best Things to Do
in Roi Et

Bueng Phlan Chai is a large lake right in the heart of Roi Et, and it's considered the province's symbol, one that locals have felt attached to for a long time. What sets it apart from an ordinary park is the island in the middle of the lake, reached by a footbridge. The island is home to the city guardian shrine that locals come to pay respects at, along with a pavilion over the water and gardens of flowering plants to stroll through. The path around the lake is set up for walking and cycling, running roughly two kilometers, shaded by big trees the whole way. That's made it into a central exercise ground where people come to walk, run, and cycle both morning and evening. Entry is free with no admission fee, and vehicles aren't allowed inside the lake area, so it's a relaxed place to wander without worrying about traffic.

The atmosphere at Bueng Phlan Chai shifts with the time of day. Early morning is cool and quiet, good for anyone out for a run or a walk before starting the day. Evenings into the night are the liveliest, as locals come out to exercise, bring their kids to feed the fish, and paddle boats around the lake. Many visitors to Roi Et pair Bueng Phlan Chai with Roi Et Tower right next door, since climbing the tower gives you a bird's-eye view of the whole lake. It's also a short walk to the market and restaurant area in town, making this a great starting point for exploring Roi Et on foot without a long drive. Visit during a festival or long holiday and you'll find extra activities and lights strung up around the lake too.

To be upfront about what to expect: Bueng Phlan Chai is a city park, and its main appeal is a relaxed, exercise-friendly atmosphere rather than an action-packed attraction. Anyone hoping for a flashy photo-op spot may find it a bit plain. Midday sun can get quite strong and hot, so it's best to avoid visiting around noon and pick the morning or evening instead. Some parts of the lake and the water itself may look murky or have fallen leaves depending on the season. Certain stretches of the path are shared by walkers, joggers, and cyclists alike, so watch out and give way to each other. If you come in the evening when it's busy, parking along the lake can fill up on holidays, so allow extra time to find a spot. And if you bring kids to feed the fish or ride the paddle boats, keep a close eye on them since it's right by the water. Overall, it's better suited to a relaxing break between sightseeing stops than a destination that needs a full day.

Wat Burapha Phiram is a royal temple in the heart of Roi Et, and the reason visitors keep stopping by is the towering figure of "Luang Pho Yai," or Phra Phuttha Rattana Mongkol Maha Muni — a standing Buddha in the blessing gesture that reaches roughly 67.85 meters including its base, making it the tallest standing Buddha of its kind in Thailand. The statue is covered in gleaming gold mosaic tiles and can be seen from many parts of town since it towers over the surrounding buildings. Locals consider it a sacred symbol of the province, and most visitors come specifically to pray for career success and good fortune. You can walk inside the base of the statue, where there are more Buddha images to pay respects to, plus wax figures of renowned local monks displayed along the corridors.

Besides the standing statue, the temple grounds also hold a reclining Buddha nestled under the trees in a small cave-like shelter, along with a spot for releasing birds and fish for those wanting to make merit by freeing animals, plus stalls selling flowers, incense, candles, and drinks. The temple's location really is right in the city center, close to Bueng Phlan Chai lake park and Roi Et Tower, so it's easy to plan a continuous half-day visit, with just a few minutes on foot or by car between each stop. There's no entry fee; donations are up to you. On review platforms like Tripadvisor, Wat Burapha Phiram averages around 4.0 out of 5 from about 47 reviews and ranks near the top of things to do in Roi Et. Most reviewers praise the sheer size and impressiveness of the statue, the clean, spacious grounds, and convenient parking.

A few honest things to know before visiting: first, several reviews note that aside from the standing Buddha, the temple itself may not offer much else that's special — the main draw really is Luang Pho Yai. Second, the open plaza around the statue gets quite sunny at midday, and photos taken around noon can come out less sharp due to heat haze; many recommend visiting in the morning for better light and cooler weather. Third, this is a temple where locals genuinely come to worship, so dress modestly, cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes in designated areas, and stay respectful while others are praying or making merit. Fourth, some reviews mention encountering dogs on the grounds while walking around the statue, so keep a close eye on young children, and bring a hat and water to stay comfortable in the heat.

Roi Et Tower is the city's newest landmark, visible from a long distance away. The tower is shaped like a "khaen," a traditional Isan wind instrument, and stands in Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park along Bueng Phlan Chai in the city center, directly across from the provincial hall. At roughly 123 meters tall, or about the equivalent of a 35-story building, it offers a full 360-degree view of Roi Et — from Bueng Phlan Chai below, to the neatly laid-out city grid, all the way to the rice fields and horizon beyond. The charm here is seeing a small Isan town from a bird's-eye view that's rare to find in a province of this size, and the tower itself reflects local culture through its khaen-inspired shape.

The highlight most people talk about is the glass skywalk on the 34th floor, where you stand and look straight down through the transparent floor — a genuinely nerve-wracking experience for many, and a favorite for anyone chasing an unusual photo to post. If you're afraid of heights, you can still enjoy the view from the glass-walled gallery around the rest of the tower. An elevator takes you up to the viewing floor. Admission runs about 50 baht for general adults, around 40 baht for students and seniors aged 60-70, while young children, seniors over 70, and people with disabilities enter free. It's open roughly from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The most popular time to visit is early evening before sunset, when golden light bathes the city and Bueng Phlan Chai below, before the city lights gradually switch on one by one.

A few things worth keeping in mind, based on reviews: on weekend evenings it gets fairly crowded, with queues for the elevator and competition for photo spots, especially at the skywalk where space is limited. If you'd rather have a calmer, less crowded experience, aim for a weekday afternoon instead. Parts of the skywalk glass can carry footprints and handprints from previous visitors, so photos may not come out as crystal-clear as expected. On overcast or hazy days the view won't be as clear as on a bright, sunny day. Down below the tower is Bueng Phlan Chai park, where you can keep strolling afterward — there's a small zoo, a central island, and lakeside restaurants, so it's easy to plan an evening viewing followed by a walk or a meal by the lake in the same trip. It's a great fit for anyone passing through Roi Et who wants to check off the city's key landmarks.

Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol sits within Wat Pha Nam Thip Thep Prasit Wanaram, on a green hill in Pha Nam Yoi subdistrict, Nong Phok district, roughly seventy to eighty kilometers northeast of central Roi Et. It's a massive chedi visible from far down the approach road. The structure is a clean white, decorated with bright gold patterns, its form blending the style of Phra Pathom Chedi from central Thailand with That Phanom from Isan, surrounded by eight satellite chedis at each compass point. Its width, length, and height are all set at 101 meters, echoing the province's name (Roi Et means "one hundred and one" in Thai). Inside, it's divided into several floors, including a hall for Buddha images, a gallery on the life of the Buddha, and a top floor open for visitors to enjoy the surrounding mountain views.

What visitors consistently mention is the sheer scale of the architecture — genuinely awe-inspiring. The stucco work along the staircase railings, gateways, and patterns around the chedi is finely done, especially the naga and makara motifs on the stairway railings. The gardens and grounds are kept clean and orderly. From the top floor you get sweeping views of the surrounding hills and lowlands, and the atmosphere is calm and peaceful, well suited to prayer and quiet reflection. On review platforms like Tripadvisor, the site averages around 4.6 out of 5 from about forty reviews and ranks first among things to do in Nong Phok district. Most visitors say it's well worth the trip, more beautiful than expected, and far less crowded than famous temples in big cities. Best of all, admission is free with no entry fee.

A few honest things to know before going: first, it's quite far from central Roi Et and there's no convenient public transport, so most visitors drive themselves, rent a car, or hire a driver — budget a full day for the round trip. Second, reaching the very top floor means climbing a long staircase; several reviews mention nearly three hundred steps. While there are rest points along the way, anyone with knee problems or traveling with elderly family members should prepare accordingly — a shuttle service from the parking area helps cover part of the climb. Third, this is a temple and a sacred site, so dress modestly, cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes where required. Fourth, it's windy up on the hill, and the cool season brings noticeably colder air than down below, so bring a windbreaker and a sun hat. Pack water and go in the morning before the sun gets strong for the most comfortable visit.

Ku Phra Kona is an ancient Khmer sanctuary in Sa Khu subdistrict, Suwannaphum district, about 55-60 kilometers south of central Roi Et. What sets it apart from typical Khmer ruins is that its three brick sanctuary towers stand on the same laterite base, and a temple with its own halls was later built directly around them, so today you see a thousand-year-old sanctuary sitting alongside modern temple buildings. Archaeologists date the architectural style to around the 11th century, built under Brahman-Hindu belief in honor of the Trimurti deities, before later being adapted into a Buddhist site. The Fine Arts Department registered it as a historic monument back in 1935.

The highlight history buffs shouldn't miss is a Baphuon-style Khmer carved lintel, particularly the image of Vishnu reclining on the Milky Ocean, on the northern-facing sanctuary tower — a carving of Vishnu resting atop the serpent Ananta amid the cosmic sea. The stone carving is still clear enough to imagine the skill of the craftsmen who made it. Besides the three towers, there's also a library building to the southeast and an ancient pond outside the wall to the northeast. The full grounds cover just over 8 rai, so a walk-through doesn't take long, and each area has informational signage. Anyone wanting deeper detail can ask a monk or temple staff familiar with its history.

Getting here is most convenient by private car, driving from central Roi Et along the road to Suwannaphum district, about an hour or so. Park within the temple grounds and walk right in — there's no entry fee since it's a historic site within the temple. Dress modestly, as it remains a sacred place where locals come to pray. Morning or late afternoon, when the sun isn't as strong, makes for more comfortable photography than at midday. To be upfront, this is a small historic site without the facilities of a major attraction — shops and restrooms are limited, and past restoration work means the towers aren't as pristine as the originals. If you're specifically here for the carvings, it's worth pairing this stop with other Khmer ruins along the southern Isan route to make the trip more worthwhile.

Wat Prachakhom Wanaram, known locally as Wat Pa Kung, sits in Si Somdet district, about 20-25 kilometers west of central Roi Et. The main draw here is a large sandstone great chedi rising at the center of the temple grounds, built in tiered levels reminiscent of Borobudur in Indonesia. Its walls and niches are built from natural sandstone in a warm brown-orange tone, giving it a very different look from the gilded or white-plastered chedis seen elsewhere. You can climb to the upper level and take in views of the surrounding rice fields. As a forest meditation temple focused on tranquility, the grounds are shaded by large trees and quieter than temples in town, making it a good fit for anyone wanting an uncrowded place to pray.

Getting here is most convenient by private car or rental from central Roi Et, taking about half an hour along easy rural roads. There's no entry fee; donations are up to your discretion. The temple is open roughly from 8 am to evening, and the most comfortable time to walk around is morning or late afternoon, since the sandstone plaza gets quite hot and reflective at midday. Those without their own vehicle can arrange a songthaew or taxi from town for a round trip, but be sure to agree on price and pickup time in advance, since there's no regular public transport out that way. Many visitors combine this stop with other sights along the same route to make the drive worthwhile.

A few honest things to know before going: first, dress matters here — as a forest temple focused on practice, dress modestly, cover your shoulders and knees, and keep your voice and manner respectful; avoid playing music or filming loudly to respect those meditating. Second, the sandstone plaza and stairs can get slippery when wet from rain, so wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and take care going up and down. Third, there's little shade up on the chedi, so bring a hat, sunglasses, and water. Shops and rest areas around the temple are more limited than temples in town, so bring what you need. If traveling with elderly visitors or young children, plan for regular breaks along the walk.

Ku Ka Sing, known locally as the Ku Ka Sing sanctuary, is a Khmer-style historic site within Wat Burapha Ku Ka Sing in Ban Ku Ka Sing, Kaset Wisai district, Roi Et, about sixty kilometers southwest of central Roi Et. The sanctuary consists of three towers standing in a row on a shared laterite base, with the central tower the largest of the three, flanked by two rectangular buildings known as libraries positioned at the front. The whole complex is enclosed by a laterite wall and a horseshoe-shaped moat, a layout found at several other Khmer sanctuaries across southern Isan. What makes this site notable is that the stonework remains in good condition, with restoration work and grounds maintained for easy viewing, unlike many similar ruins that survive only as piles of stone.

Historically, Ku Ka Sing is dated to roughly the 11th to 12th centuries and linked to the Khmer culture that spread through the Mun-Chi river basin. The area also shows signs of continuous ancient settlement. The Fine Arts Department has registered it as a historic monument and maintains the site, with informational signage placed along the walking route. Visitors interested in Khmer history often pair this stop with Ku Phra Kona in nearby Suwannaphum district, then continue on to Thung Kula Rong Hai, the famous jasmine rice-growing plain of Isan. A trip like this combines historic ruins with rural Isan life in a single outing. The site is free to visit and sits within temple grounds still in active use.

A few honest things to know before going: this is a mid-sized rural historic site, not as grand or imposing as Phanom Rung or Phimai, so those expecting something monumental may find it smaller than expected. Tripadvisor reviews average around 3.2 out of 5 from nine reviewers, reflecting that it appeals more to history enthusiasts than general tourists. You'll need a private car or rental, since the distance from town is significant and public transport is hard to come by. Midday sun is strong with little shade, so it's best to visit in the morning or late afternoon, bringing water and a hat. Shops and restrooms in the area aren't always available, so take care of those needs before leaving the district center, and dress modestly since it's within temple grounds.

Bueng Kluea is a large freshwater lake in Selaphum district, in the eastern part of Roi Et. Locals call it "the Isan Sea" because the water stretches so wide you can't see the opposite shore, plus it has a sandy beach where you can wade in just like at a real seaside. What keeps people coming back is that entry is free, no fee at all. You can bring the family to sit and eat by the water, spread a mat under the shade, or let the kids splash around in the shallows near the beach. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed — no need to dress up, just drive up and walk straight onto the beach. It's a great fit for anyone wanting to escape the bustle for some quiet, natural scenery on a day off.

Around the lake are several restaurants and food stalls by the water. Popular orders include Isan dishes like som tam, grilled chicken, grilled fish, and jumping shrimp — eating while gazing out at the water is a favorite way locals spend their evenings. Some spots rent out inner tubes and mats at affordable prices, and there are occasionally small water activities like pedal boats. Costs mainly come from food and rentals rather than an entry fee, making it an easy destination to budget for as a family. The beach and water are at their best during the dry season, roughly December through April, when lower water levels reveal a wide stretch of sand for strolling and picnicking. During the rainy season the water rises and the beach shrinks.

A few things worth knowing before you go: Bueng Kluea is fairly far from central Roi Et, and driving yourself or renting a car is the most convenient way to get there, since public transport is scarce and infrequent. Facilities are local in style, and restrooms and service points may not be as clean or new as at bigger attractions, so keep that in mind. Long holidays and festivals bring bigger crowds, with parking and lakeside restaurants filling up — for a quieter visit, come on a weekday morning instead. Keep a close eye on children swimming since it's an open lake with uneven depth and some muddy, slippery patches on the lakebed, and please take your trash with you or dispose of it properly to keep the beach clean for others.

If you want to understand where Roi Et comes from, starting at the Roi Et National Museum on Phloenchit Road in the city center is a great entry point. The building, managed by the Fine Arts Department, is laid out across three floors. The ground floor covers the province's geography, geology, and notable figures. The second floor holds historical and archaeological evidence spanning prehistory through the Dvaravati, Khmer, and Ayutthaya periods. The third floor focuses on Isan life, traditions like Boon Phawet, local house styles, and the region's famous silk weaving. Admission is remarkably cheap for the knowledge on offer — Thai visitors pay just a few baht, foreign visitors a bit more, while uniformed students and monks or novices enter free.

After the museum, a short walk or drive gets you to Wat Klang Ming Mueang, a paired city temple believed to predate the founding of Roi Et itself. Originally called Wat Klang because of its central location, it was once used for the ceremony of drinking the water of allegiance. History and art lovers often stop to see the "hoop taem" mural paintings depicting the life of the Buddha around the ordination hall, and to pay respects to Phra Phuttha Ming Mueang, the temple's principal Buddha image. The grounds are shaded and peaceful, close to Bueng Phlan Chai park where you can continue strolling afterward, making it easy to combine both stops into a satisfying half-day trip covering both history and merit-making without having to leave town.

A few honest things to know before going: first, the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday, Tuesday, and public holidays, with hours roughly from 9 am to 4 pm, so plan to arrive before early afternoon. Second, several reviews mention that most signage and descriptions are in Thai, and staff may not speak fluent English, so foreign visitors wanting deeper detail may want a translation app handy. Third, photography is prohibited in some zones inside, so check the signage and ask staff first, and some areas have fairly dim lighting — you can ask staff to turn on more lights if you want a clearer look at the exhibits. At Wat Klang Ming Mueang, as a sacred site, dress modestly, remove your shoes before entering the ordination hall, and stay respectful when others are praying or in ceremony.