Isan Province Profile

Roi Et

Founded in 1782, Roi Et literally means ‘one hundred and one’, believed to be an exaggeration of the number 11, since the prosperous town once ruled 11 vassal states. The town was once abandoned because of extreme flooding, but is now a steadily growing province. The province is part of the 200,000 plus rais of the famous Tung Kula Rong Hai (Kula Crying Fields), once a wasteland that was transformed into growing high-quality rice. The daily life in Roi-Et is influenced by a conservative population with strong Buddhist traditions. The simple way of life in this mostly rural province in the lower Northeast is reflected in its arts and crafts, especially in the weaving of textiles.

roi et map

Provincial Attractions

Roi-Et Somdet Phra Srinakharin Park is a public park located in the heart of the town in front of the Provincial Administrative Building (Sala Klang). It was opened to the public in the year 1986 having an approximate area of 225 rai. The park is decorated with various species of flowers, plants, and various sizes of trees providing shady area for the park. The outstanding spot of this park is the fountain springing up high in the middle part of the park. The white clock tower located in the heart of the city also gives Roi-Et graceful and beautiful appearance. There is a library for the public at this tower too and this place is also used for various festivals and entertainment activities of the province.

Wat Buraphaphiram is a monastery which houses Thailand's highest Buddha image in the attitude of blessing, named "Phra Phuttha Ratana Mongkhon Maha Muni". The image is built of reinforced concrete and under its base, there are several museum chambers. The height of the statue from the foot to the top of the finial is 59 meters and 20 centimeters. The east side of the monastery, adjacent to the ancient city moat, is the site of a pavilion housing the spirit Chao Pho Maha Sakdanuphab, which is highly revered by the people of Roi-Et.

Wat Sa Thong is also a monastery. It houses Luang Pho Sangkatjai (the Happy Buddha) which is highly respected by Roi-Et people. Its age is unknown, but records show that in the year 1782 Phraya Khattiya Wongsa, the first ruler of Roi-Et, found this statue and recognized its age and importance. He then invited the image to be enshrined in Wat Sa Thong and it became the town treasure. In the past, every official would come to attend an annual oath taking ceremony before the Buddha image making intention that he will be honest to the country.

The Roi-Et National Museum was constructed in 1997, under the auspices of the Fine Arts Department which set a policy of establishing provincial museums in Thailand. Under the direction of Dr. Goh Swasdipanich, the Roi-Et National Museum was built originally as the Isan Textile Museum. The daily life in Roi-Et is influenced by a conservative population with strong Buddhist traditions. The simple way of life in this mostly rural province is reflected in its arts and crafts, especially in the weaving of textiles. The museum also includes exhibits on the geography, geology and archeology of the area. The history is explained with model scenes of historical events. Collections of the local art and handicrafts are displayed and the daily life of the people Roi-Et is explored. There are six major exhibitions. The exhibits on the first floor explain the geology, geography and history of Roi-Et Province, including an historical peoples and national artists of the region. The exhibits on the second floor are the sections of regional archaeology and art history of Roi-Et province. The main exhibition on the third floor is the textile section. Other arts and crafts are included on this floor, along with information on traditions in the daily life of its people.

Ku Phra Kona is located about 60 kilometers from the Roi-Et proper. Ku Phra Kona consists of three brick prangs built on a sandstone base aligned in a north-south direction. All face the east being surrounded by a wall having a niche-top entrance in each of the four directions. The middle prang was transformed in the year 1928 by worshippers who plastered on and built up tiers, each of which has a niche for housing a Buddha image in each direction. The ground floor of the front side of the middle prang was constructed as a sanctuary housing the Buddha's foot prints and decorated with six-headed nagas in front. The two sided prangs were also renovated by the monastery but the features were not augmented like the middle one. In addition, there are lintels falling down on the floor at the front side, i.e., the feature of God Shiva mounted on an ox back with Nang Rieng pillars placing nearby. The patterns of the carved features and the door frame pillars suggest that the complex was built by the Khmer around the 11th century A.D.

Festivals

Buddhist Lent Candle Procession takes place on Asalha Puja Day of every year in Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park. The main feature is to carry the decorated Buddhist Lent Candle in a procession from each community, accompanied by beautiful ladies, to display around town, and finally to be gathered at the 4-Gabled Pavilion in Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park for celebration.

Kin Khao Pun Bun Phawet was first held in 1991 and occurs every year on the first weekend in March. The fair takes place in Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park and Phalanchai lake. 13 processions of Phawet, based on the Maha Chat sermons, are the main features of the tradition. The processions are arranged and decorated by the various districts of the province. After arrival at the ceremonial place they will listen to the preaching sermons of the 13 episodes of the Maha Chat.