North East Thailand, also known as Isan, is home to almost a third of Thailand’s population. While it may be the country’s least visited region it is gradually gaining popularity as tourist area – and also as a quiet haven for expats living in the bustling cities.
Life here centres around the rural farming communities, and it certainly feels quieter, slower and more remote here compared to areas such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Key attractions here are the ruins of the Khmer Empire and the beautiful landscape, including parts of the Mekong River Valley and the region’s 24 national parks.