Roi Et is one of the
provincesThailand is divided into 75 provinces , which are geographically grouped into 6 regions. The capital Bangkok is not a province but a special administrative area and is included as the 76th province since it is administered at the same level as the other 75 provinces. The name of the provinces are...
(
changwat) of
ThailandThe Kingdom of Thailand is an independent country that lies in the heart of Southeast Asia.It is bordered to the north by Laos and Burma, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and Burma...
, located in the
North-EastIsan is the northeast region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
of Thailand. Neighboring Provinces are (from north clockwise)
KalasinKalasin is one of the provinces of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.-Geography:...
,
MukdahanMukdahan is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Roi Et, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom. To the east it borders the Mekong River, across which lies Savannakhet Province of Laos.-Geography:The province is located in the...
,
YasothonYasothon is one of the provinces of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket and Roi Et.-Geography:...
,
SisaketSisaket , is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Surin, Roi Et, Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani. To the south it borders Oddar Meancheay and Preah Vihear of Cambodia.-Geography:...
,
SurinSurin is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et and Sisaket. To the south it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia.- Etymology :...
and
Maha SarakhamMaha Sarakham is one of the provinces of Thailand, located in the northeastern region of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Kalasin, Roi Et, Surin, Buriram and Khon Kaen....
.
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 RiverThe Chi River is the longest river in Thailand; it extends 765 km, but carries less water than the second longest river, the Mun. In the Isan dialect of this region, and also in the adjacent language Lao, the name of the river is actually pronounced "Nam See" but the transliteration Chi...
. In the north of the province are the hills of the
Phu Phan mountain rangeThe Phu Phan mountains are a range of hills dividing the Khorat Plateau of the Isan region of Thailand into two basins: the northern Sakhon Nakhon Basin, and the southern Khorat Basin.-Etymology:...
, with the Yang River as the major river. In the south is the
Mun RiverThe Mun River , sometimes spelled Moon River, is a tributary of the Mekong river. It carries approximately 21,000 cubic kilometres of water per year.-Geography:...
, 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
riceRice is the seed of a monocot plant Oryza sativa, of the grass family . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East, South, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the West Indies...
farming area.
History
The area of the province was already settled during the times of the
Khmer empireThe Khmer Empire was the third largest empire of South East Asia , based in what is now Cambodia. The empire, which seceded from the kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalised parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Malaysia...
as several ruins show. However, the main history of the province began when
LaoThe Lao are an ethnic subgroup of Tai/Dai in Southeast Asia. The vast majority of Lao people live in Laos .-Names:...
people from
ChampasakChampasak may refer to* Champasak Province* Champasak * Kingdom of Champasak* Na Champassak family...
settled near Suwannaphum during the
Ayutthaya KingdomAyutthaya was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767 until it was invaded by the Burmese. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese , Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up...
. King
TaksinTaksin was King of Siam Empire. He was greatly revered for his leadership in liberation of Siam from the Burmese occupation after the Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 and unification of Siam under various warlords...
moved the city to its present site, then called Saket Nakhon.
Symbols
|
The provincial seal shows the shrine of the city pillar A Lak Mueang or City pillar is found in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house the city spirit deity, Chao Pho Lak Meuang , it is held in high esteem by the citizen of the town....
, 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 (
amphoeAn amphoe is the second level administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as district, amphoe make up the provinces. Amphoe are further subdivided into tambon....
). The districts are further subdivided into 193 subdistricts (
tambonTambon is a local government unit in Thailand. Below district and province , they form the third administrative subdivision level. As of the 2009 there are 7255 tambon, not including the 169 khwaeng of Bangkok, which are set at the same administrative level, thus every district contains 8-10 tambon...
) and 2311 villages (
mubanMuban is the lowest administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as village, they are the subdivision of tambon. As of 2008, there are 74944 administrative villages in Thailand. As of the 1990 census, the average village consisted of 144 households or 746 persons.A muban does not...
).
- Mueang Roi Et
Mueang Roi Et is the capital district in the western part of Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand.- History :Mueang Roi Et is an ancient city. The area around the city was made into a district in 1908...
- Kaset Wisai
Kaset Wisai is a district in the southwestern part of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Chaturaphak Phiman, Mueang Suang, Suwannaphum of Roi Et Province, Phayakkhaphum Phisai of Maha Sarakham Province, Pathum Rat of Roi Et Province again and Wapi Pathum of Maha...
- Pathum Rat
Pathum Rat is a district in the southwestern part of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Kaset Wisai of Roi Et Province, Phayakkhaphum Phisai, Na Dun and Wapi Pathum of Maha Sarakham Province.-History:The minor district Pathum Rat is a district (amphoe) in the...
- Chaturaphak Phiman
Chaturaphak Phiman is a district in the western part of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Si Somdet, Mueang Roi Et, Mueang Suang, Kaset Wisai of Roi Et Province and Wapi Pathum of Maha Sarakham Province.-Administration:The district is subdivided into 12 subdistricts...
- Thawat Buri
Thawat Buri is a district of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:The district is located in central Roi Et province. Neighboring districts are Chiang Khwan, Selaphum, Thung Khao Luang, At Samat and Mueang Roi Et....
- Phanom Phrai
Phanom Phrai is a district in the southeastern part of Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Nong Hi, Suwannaphum, At Samat, Selaphum of Roi Et Province, Mueang Yasothon, Kham Khuean Kaeo, Maha Chana Chai of Yasothon Province and Sila Lat of Sisaket...
- Phon Thong
Phon Thong is a district in the northern part of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Moei Wadi, Nong Phok, Selaphum, Pho Chai of Roi Et Province, Kuchinarai of Kalasin Province.-History:...
- Pho Chai
Pho Chai is a district in the northern part of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Phon Thong, Selaphum, Chiang Khwan of Roi Et Province, Rong Kham, Don Chan and Kuchinarai of Kalasin Province.-History:The minor district was created on April 1 1974, when the four...
- Nong Phok
Nong Phok is a district in the northeastern part of Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Selaphum, Phon Thong and Moei Wadi of Roi Et Province, Nong Sung of Mukdahan Province, and Loeng Nok Tha and Kut Chum of Yasothon Province.-History:The district goes...
- Selaphum
Selaphum is a district in the eastern part of Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Phanom Phrai, At Samat, Thung Khao Luang, Thawat Buri, Chiang Khwan, Pho Chai, Phon Thong and Nong Phok of Roi Et Province, Kut Chum, Sai Mun and Mueang Yasothon of Yasothon...
|
- Suwannaphum
Suwannaphum is a district of Roi Et Province, in eastern Thailand. It is named after the legendary country Suwannaphum, which according to Thai tradition was located in the Chao Phraya plain.-Geography:...
- Mueang Suang
Mueang Suang is a district of Roi Et Province, in northeastern Thailand.-Geography:The district is located in the central part of Roi Et province...
- Phon Sai
Phon Sai is a district in the southeastern part of Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Suwannaphum and Nong Hi of Roi Et Province, Sila Lat and Rasi Salai of Sisaket Province and Rattanaburi of Surin Province.-History:The minor district Phon Sai was...
- At Samat
At Samat is a district of Roi Et Province, Thailand.- Geography :The district is located in central Roi Et province. Neighboring districts are Thawat Buri, Thung Khao Luang, Selaphum, Phanom Phrai, Suwannaphum, Mueang Suang and Mueang Roi Et.- History :The district was created in 1897, at first...
- Moei Wadi
Moei Wadi is a district in the northern part of Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Nong Phok and Phon Thong of Roi Et Province, Kuchinarai of Kalasin Province and Nong Sung of Mukdahan Province.-History:The minor district Moei Wadi was established on...
- Si Somdet
Si Somdet is a district of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Mueang Roi Et and Chaturaphak Phiman of Roi Et Province, Wapi Pathum, Kae Dam and Mueang Maha Sarakham of Maha Sarakham Province.-History:The district was created on April 1 1987, when the five tambon Pho...
- Changhan
Changhan is a district in the northwestern part of Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Chiang Khwan and Mueang Roi Et of Roi Et Province, Mueang Maha Sarakham of Maha Sarakham Province, Khong Chai and Kamalasai of Kalasin Province.-History:The minor...
- Chiang Khwan
Chiang Khwan is a district of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Pho Chai, Selaphum, Thawat Buri, Mueang Roi Et and Changhan of Roi Et Province, and Rong Kham of Kalasin Province....
- Nong Hi
Nong Hi is a district of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Moei Wadi, Suwannaphum and Phanom Phrai of Roi Et Province, and Sila Lat of Sisaket Province.-History:...
- Thung Khao Luang
Thung Khao Luang is a district of Roi Et Province, Thailand.-Geography:The district is located in central Roi Et province. Neighboring districts are At Samat, Thawat Buri and Selaphum....
|
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.
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 FestivalA Rocket Festival is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced throughout much of northeast Thailand and Laos, by numerous villages and municipalities near the beginning of the rainy season...
'): 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