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Roi Et
General Information
Roi Et town is built around a large artificial lake,Bung Phlan Chai,where a large,walking Buddha stands on a small island in its centre. Tall Buddhas are popular in Roi Et as Wat Buraphaphiram features a 68-metres walking Buddha,with a staircase that enables visitors to climb to knee-high level. Sixty kilometres outside of town, Ku Kasing is a large Khmer sanctuary dating from the 11 th century,and under restoration.
Handicrafts are the province's main product,particularly the Isan khaen, a kind of panpipe made from wood and reeds. These are best made in the small village of Si Kaew. Thanon Phadung Phanit is a good place to buy silk and cotton fabric.
Roi Et has an area of about 8,299 square kilometres, consisting of the following districts: Mueang, Thawat Buri, Selaphum, Phon Thong, Nong Phok, At Samat, Phanom Phrai, Chaturaphak Phiman, Kaset Wisai, Suwannaphum, Pathum Rat, Pho Chai, Mueang Suang, Phon Sai, Moei Wadi, Si Somdet, Changhan, Chiang Khwan, Nong Hi and Thung Khao Luang.
Symbol
The provincial seal shows the shrine of the city pillar, which is located in the artificial lake Pha-lan-chai. The spirit of the shrine, Mahesak, is highly revered by the local people.
The provincial tree is Lagerstroemia macrocarpa.
Getting there
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Ban Phai, then take Highway No. 23 to Roi Et via Borabue and Maha Sarakham, a total distance of 512 kilometres.
By Bus
Bangkok-Roi Et buses depart from Mochit 2 Bus Terminal every day. Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information.
By Train
There is no direct train running to Roi Et. Visitors can take a train to Khon Kaen, then continue the trip by bus to Roi Et. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.
By Air
PB Air flies one flight daily from Bangkok to Roi Et. For more details, call the Bangkok office at Tel. 0 2261 0220, 0 2535 4843-4 or Roi Et office at Tel. 0 4351 9577, 0 4351 2835 or browse www.pbair.com. Roi Et Airport is about 18 km. from the city. A shuttle bus from the airport to the city is available.
Festivals
Bun Bangfai Festival
The festival is organised annually around June. Every district will organise colourful parades of Bangfai rockets that reflect the folk culture and local traditions of Roi Et province, especially the parades from Phanom Phrai and Suwannaphum districts will be lavishly decorated.
Bun Khao Chi and Pho Chai Products Festival or Bun Duean Sam
It is held according to Hit Sip Song - the Northeastern twelve festivals for the twelve months. The Northeasterners believe that by making merit with Khao Chi or grilled sticky rice, they would gain huge merit. The festival also features a beauty pageant and competition of a giant-sized Khao Chi.
Candle Festival
It is organised annually on Asalha Puja Day at the Somdech Phra Srinakarindra Park. Each temple will beautifully decorate their candle floats with colourful flowers, and the parade will move along the road via the market to the cruciform pavilion in the Park. There will also be contests of decorated candles and floats with cultural performances.
Khao Pun Bun Phawet Fair
First held in 1991, it has been held annually around early March every year ever since. The event takes place at the Somdech Phra Srinakarindra Park and Bueng Phalan Chai. Bun Phawet, or known in the Central Region as Bun Mahachat, is usually held in the 4th lunar month. It is a Buddhist ceremony in which the monks give a sermon of all chapters of the Vessantara Jataka, otherwise called the Great Birth Sermon. There are also 13 parades of Phawet, according to the number of the chapters of the sermon, arranged by various public and private organisations. The area around Bueng Phalan Chai has stalls providing free ‘Khao Pun’ - rice noodle - for participants. There are also contests of traditional arts and culture such as making the ‘bai si su khwan’ tray.
Long Boat Races of Tambon Mueang Bua, Kaset Wisai District
The event is held annually at the end of the Buddhist Lent, or around mid-October when there is plenty of water in the river. Boats joining the races are from Roi Et and nearby provinces including Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Si Sa Ket, and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Interesting Products
Hand-woven Fabric
Ban Wai Luem in Thawat Buri is a centre for silk with colorful and exquisite patterns. The source for Khaen (a northeastern musical instrument) is Ban Si Kaeo in Amphoe Mueang. These products can be purchased from the local handicrafts sales centre in front of the provincial hall or city stores.
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