Roi Et
ร้อยเอ็ด · Roi Et Province
Population
55K
Budget / Month
$228
Internet
65 Mbps
Best Season
November to February
About Roi Et
Roi Et occupies the geographical center of Isan, and its name — meaning "one hundred and one" — refers to the legendary number of gates in the ancient city walls. Today it is a mid-sized provincial capital with a pleasant character defined by its central lake and striking religious architecture.
The city's most visible landmark is Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon at Wat Burapha Phiram, a walking Buddha image standing 67.85 meters tall — the tallest in Isan. The golden figure is visible from across the city and is especially striking when illuminated at night.
Bung Phlan Chai, the large lake at the heart of the city, provides a pleasant centerpiece. The lakeside promenade is popular for exercise, and an island connected by bridge houses a park. Roi Et province is one of Isan's premier silk-weaving areas with villages producing high-quality mudmee silk.
Historical Note
The name Roi Et derives from an old settlement reportedly with 11 gates (sip-et, evolved to roi-et meaning 101). The city was established in its modern form around 1775 and has been a silk-weaving center for generations.
Best time to visit: November to February
At a Glance
Thai Name
ร้อยเอ็ด
Province
Roi Et
Region
Isan (Northeastern)
Population
55,000
Area
8,299 km²
Elevation
150 m
Postal Code
45000
Airport
ROI
Founded
1775
Local Language
Isan, Thai
Cost of Living
budget
/month8,100 THB
~$228 USD
comfortable
/month14,500 THB
~$410 USD
luxury
/month25,500 THB
~$720 USD
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 25 | 45 |
| Restaurant meal | 40 | 80 |
| Coffee (cafe) | 40 | 70 |
| Beer (local) | 40 | 60 |
| Water 1.5L | 10 | 15 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic guesthouse per night | 200 | 400 |
| Mid-range hotel per night | 700 | 1,500 |
| Best hotel (lakeside) per night | 1,500 | 2,500 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike rental per day | 200 | 300 |
| Songthaew ride | 15 | 25 |
utilities
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile plan per month | 200 | 400 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Silk scarf (handwoven) | 300 | 1,500 |
| Thai massage (1 hour) | 150 | 200 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
33% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
0
Weather & Climate
November to February for comfortable weather. December for the Roi Et Silk Festival. March for Bun Phawet temple processions.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 | 15 | 5 | 55% |
| Feb | 33 | 18 | 10 | 50% |
| Mar | 36 | 22 | 30 | 50% |
| Apr | 37 | 24 | 60 | 58% |
| May | 35 | 24 | 180 | 70% |
| Jun | 34 | 24 | 200 | 75% |
| Jul | 33 | 24 | 220 | 78% |
| Aug | 33 | 24 | 250 | 80% |
| Sep | 32 | 23 | 230 | 80% |
| Oct | 31 | 22 | 100 | 72% |
| Nov | 30 | 18 | 20 | 58% |
| Dec | 29 | 15 | 5 | 55% |
Things to Do
Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon
พระมหาเจดีย์ชัยมงคล
The tallest standing Buddha in Isan at 67.85 meters. Stunning when illuminated at night.
Bung Phlan Chai Lake
Scenic lake at the heart of the city with promenade, island park, pedal boats, and waterfront dining.
Silk Weaving Villages
Villages producing high-quality mudmee silk with traditional resist-dyeing techniques.
Ku Phra Kona
11th-12th century Khmer temple with three brick prangs. One of the best-preserved Khmer ruins in central Isan.
Roi Et Night Market
Evening market near the lake with local food stalls, grilled meats, and cheap clothing.
Roi Et Aquarium
Modern freshwater aquarium showcasing Mekong basin fish species.
Food & Dining
ส้มตำ
Som Tam
Authentic Isan papaya salad with pla ra and heavy chili. Robustly flavored.
25-40
Street stalls, night market
ไก่ย่าง
Gai Yang
Isan grilled chicken from roadside charcoal grills. Perfect with sticky rice.
35-60
Roadside stalls
ลาบอีสาน
Larb Isan
Minced meat salad with lime, chili, fish sauce, toasted rice powder, and fresh herbs.
35-55
Local restaurants, night market
ไส้กรอกอีสาน
Sai Krok Isan
Fermented pork and rice sausage, slightly sour, grilled until crispy.
20-40
Night market, street vendors
Night Markets
- Roi Et Night Market
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
150 - 300
THB / night
Budget Hotel
200 - 700
THB / night
Mid-Range
700 - 1,500
THB / night
Luxury
1,500 - 2,500
THB / night
Studio /mo
1,500 - 3,000
THB / night
1BR /mo
2,500 - 5,500
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
Best options are around the lake. Limited selection overall.
Getting There from Bangkok
Roi Et Airport
Airport Code: ROI
Fly (Nok Air/AirAsia)
1 hour
1,200-3,000 THB
Bus
7-8 hours
350-500 THB
Getting Around
Songthaew
LimitedLimited routes around town
15-25
Motorbike rental
LimitedBest option for getting around
200-300/day
Tuk-tuk
LimitedAvailable, negotiate fare
40-80
Neighborhoods
Bung Phlan Chai Lakeside
Pleasant and scenicThe city's best area with lake promenade, restaurants, and cafes.
Best for: Most visitors and couples
Town Center / Market Area
Local and commercialCommercial core with night market, morning market, and bus station.
Best for: Budget travelers and transit
Wat Burapha Phiram Area
Imposing and spiritualTemple district with the Walking Buddha, museum, and temple grounds.
Best for: Spiritual travelers and photographers
Festivals & Events
Bun Phawet
Buddhist celebration with elaborate temple processions and Jataka tale recitations.
Roi Et Silk Festival
Celebration of silk heritage with fashion shows, weaving demos, and silk sales.
Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)
Homemade rockets fired skyward for rain — standard Isan pre-planting celebration.
Loy Krathong
ลอยกระทง
Floating krathongs on Bung Phlan Chai Lake — particularly scenic setting.
Practical Info
Hospital
Roi Et Hospital
Best SIM Provider
AIS
ATM Availability
Common
Language Tip
Isan dialect dominant; very limited English.
Drinking Water
Do not drink tap water.
Tipping Culture
Not expected
7-Eleven Density
Common
Emergency Numbers
Tourist police 1155, Emergency 191
Day Trips
Kalasin Dinosaur Museum
World-class dinosaur museum with real fossils from Isan's prehistoric past.
Yasothon
Famous for Rocket Festival. Phra That Anon temple and quiet atmosphere.
Silk Weaving Villages
Visit multiple weaving villages for a deep dive into Isan silk culture.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roi Et worth visiting?
Yes for 1-2 days. The Walking Buddha, lakeside promenade, silk shopping, and Khmer ruins make it one of the more rewarding mid-sized Isan cities.
What is the tall golden Buddha?
Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon at Wat Burapha Phiram — 67.85 meters tall, the tallest in Isan. Especially striking illuminated at night.
Where can I buy silk?
Silk and Cultural Center in town, the December silk festival, and weaving villages (Ban Sai Yai Thip most accessible). Prices are excellent.