Roi Et ( ) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. Neighboring Provinces are (from north clockwise) Kalasin, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Sisaket, Surin and Maha Sarakham.

The Name Roi Et translates to 101, which refers to the original 11 satellite cities around the main city as well as the 11 city gates. To express the importance of the city the number was exaggerated.

Geography

Most part of the province is covered by plains about 130-160 meters above sea level, drained by the Chi River. In the north of the province are the hills of the Phu Phan mountain range, with the Yang River as the major river. In the south is the Mun River, which also forms the boundary to the province of Surin. At the mouth of the Chi River, where it enters the Mun River, a big flooded basin provides a good rice farming area.

History

The area of the province was already settled during the times of the Khmer empire as several ruins show. However, the main history of the province began when Lao people from Champasak settled near Suwannaphum during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. King Taksin moved the city to its present site, then called Saket Nakhon.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the shrine of the city pillar, which is located in the artificial lake Bueng Phlan Chai. The spirit of the shrine, Mahesak, is highly revered by the local people. The provincial tree is Lagerstroemia macrocarpa.

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 20 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 193 subdistricts (tambon) and 2311 villages (muban).

Mueang Roi Et Kaset Wisai Pathum Rat Chaturaphak Phiman Thawat Buri Phanom Phrai Phon Thong Pho Chai Nong Phok Selaphum

Suwannaphum Mueang Suang Phon Sai At Samat Moei Wadi Si Somdet Changhan Chiang Khwan Nong Hi Thung Khao Luang

Tourism

Sights

Roi Et National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ ร้อยเอ็ด): It was initially established by Dr. Ko Sawatdiphanit with an aim to showcase local silk textiles and handicrafts of Roi Et. It was later renovated when the Fine Arts Department had the policy to set up a national museum.

The Monument of Phra Khattiyawongsa (Thon) (อนุสาวรีย์พระขัติยะวงษา (ทน) Phra Khattiyawongsa (Thon) was appointed to be the first ruler of Roi Et. He was considered a great ruler as he could restore the city until Roi Et became one of the most prosperous cities in the region.

Somdech Phra Srinakarindra Park Roi Et (สวนสมเด็จพระศรีนครินทร์ร้อยเอ็ด): It is a public park in the heart of the city, located in front of the city hall. The highlight is the fountain in the middle of the park and a clock tower. The park is used as a venue for various cultural occasions and events of the province.

Bueng Phalan Chai (บึงพลาญชัย): The picturesque lake on the area of 200,000 sq.m. is a symbol of Roi Et. Inside is situated the city pillar shrine, the sacred shrine that is highly revered by the people of Roi Et. There is also a large walking Buddha image, a Constitution atop a Footed Tray, flower clock, Phu Phalan Chai (an artificial waterfall), and animal sculptures.

Mueang Roi Et Municipality Aquarium (สถานแสดงพันธุ์สัตว์น้ำเทศบาลเมืองร้อยเอ็ด): One of its twin buildings comprises an auditorium, lecture room, exhibition room, office, a ticket booth. The next building features an aquarium which shows fresh water fish. The highlight of the exhibition is the underwater tunnel through which one can view the movements of the marine animals from any direction.

Wat Klang Ming Mueang (วัดกลางมิ่งเมือง): The Ubosot was built during the late Ayutthaya period. In the past, it was used for the Oath of Allegiance Ceremony. At present, it is a venue for dharma practice and is known as Sunthon Thamma Pariyat School.

Wat Sa Thong (วัดสระทอง): The temple houses Luangpho Phra Sangkatchai (Kaccayana), a sacred Buddha image highly revered by the people of Roi Et. Phraya Khattiyawongsa (Thon), the first founder of Roi Et, discovered this image.

Wat Buraphaphiram (วัดบูรพาภิราม): There is the tallest standing Buddha image in Thailand known as Phra Phuttha Rattanamongkhon Mahamuni or Luangpho Yai, which was built with reinforced concrete in the blessing attitude.

Prang Ku or Prasat Nong Ku (ปรางค์กู่ หรือ ปราสาทหนองกู่): is a complex of buildings with a plan that resembles the Khmer nursing home known as ‘Arogayasala’. It comprises the main prang, a library, wall and entrance pavilions, and a pond outside of the wall. The ruins are in good condition, especially the roof structure of the main prang.

Wat Pa Non Sawan (วัดป่าโนนสวรรค์): It is a huge temple built from the abbot’s omen. It was embellished and decorated with local earthenware, so it looks strikingly eye-catching. The entrance of the multi-tiered chedi represents Hanuman’s mouth.

Bo Phan Khan Rattanasophon (บ่อพันขันรัตนโสภณ): The park was set up to commemorate the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne. It is also where the beautiful image of Phra Phuttha Sahatsakhantha Mahamuninat is located.

Ban Wai Luem (บ้านหวายหลึม): The village famous for silk weaving is part of the province’s One Tambon One Product (OTOP) project, so it is also the distribution centre for local handicraft products such as handbags, cotton, and ready-to-wear clothes.

Ku Ka Sing (กู่กาสิงห์): It is another huge temple with Khmer-style architecture, comprising three prangs on the same laterite base, and rectangular library buildings in front. All of them are surrounded by a wall, with entrance pavilions known as Gopura at the four directions. Outside is a U-shaped moat surrounding the wall.

Thung Kula Ronghai (ทุ่งกุลาร้องไห้) The legend of Thung Kula Ronghai had it that, in ancient times, there were Kula people who travelled around for trading; they were known for being strong and tolerant. But when they reached this field, the hardship even made them cry (Ronghai) because there was not a single drop of water or big trees in sight.

Ku Phra Kona (กู่พระโกนา) : comprises three east-facing brick prangs lying in the north – south direction, standing on a single sandstone base. They are surrounded by a boundary wall, with entrance pavilions or Gopuras in four directions; all were made from sandstone.

Sim Wat Traiphum Khanachan (สิมวัดไตรภูมิคณาจารย์): The architectural structure suggests that it is a traditional small ‘Sim’ – local dialect for Ubosot - of the Northeast with a low boundary wall. Sim Wat Traiphum Khanachan was awarded for outstanding architecture by the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage.

Bueng Kluea (Salt Lake or Sea of Isan) (บึงเกลือ หรือ ทะเลอีสาน): Situated in Tambon Bueng Klua, it is a large lake covering a total area of 7,500 rai, with water all year round.

Sim Wat Chakkrawan Phum Phinit or Wat Nong Muen Than (สิมวัดจักรวาฬภูมิพินิจ หรือ วัดหนองหมื่นถ่าน): It features a small ‘Sim’ of traditional northeastern style. Its gable and ‘Rang Phueng’ (decoration underneath the lower tie beam) feature fine woodcarving with a wooden shingle roof. Outside is decorated with mural paintings.

Pha Nam Yoi or Isan Buddhist Park (ผาน้ำย้อย หรือ พุทธอุทยานอีสาน): It covers a forest with wide varieties of hardwood trees and is home to various kinds of wild animals. On the hill is situated Wat Pha Namthip Thep Prasit Wanaram. The temple houses Phra Mahachedi Chai Mongkhon, one of Thailand’s largest chedis.

Literature Botanical Garden (สวนพฤกษศาสตร์วรรณคดี): It is the regional literature botanical garden of the Northeast. It covers a total area of about 1,000 rai, featuring plants mentioned in Thai literature.

Tham Pha Nam Thip Non-hunting Area (เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าถ้ำผาน้ำทิพย์): It comprises steep and complex undulating sandstone mountains with abundant dry evergreen forest, deciduous forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest. Fauna found in this area include boars, barking deer, foxes, monkeys, squirrels, etc.

Pha Mok Mi Wai (ผาหมอกมิวาย): Situated inside Pha Nam Thip Non-hunting Area, it is the best viewpoint and is covered with mist all year round, as it is an abundant area with high humidity.

Local Products

Roi Et province produces various kinds of handicraft products such as silk ,bamboo woodwind instrument and also ‘Fuem’ for handlooms.

Culture

Festivals

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.

Kin Khao Pun Bun Phawet Festival ( ): 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.

Bun Bangfai Festival ( ) (aka 'The Rocket 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.

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.

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.

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand

• Website of Province (Thai only)