travel

Roi Et ready with a surprise or two
By: PATHOM SANGWONGWANICH
Published: 9/04/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Horizons

Exploring Roi Et, a northeastern province where the climate is hot and dry climate most of the year, you will find that each step you take is worth the sweat pouring out of your skin.

Giant statue of Roi Et’s patron saint, Phra Phuttha Rattanamongkol Mahamunee, at Wat Buraphaphiram.

The charms of Roi Et, it must be said, are many, though they seem lost on most tourists. For starters, the province is noted for rice, specially the jasmine variety sought at tables around the world. Cooked, its fragrance and fluffy texture leave mouths salivating in anticipation.
Then there is Thung Kula Ronghai, all of 2,107,691 rai - straddling Roi Et and the neighbouring provinces of Buri Ram, Maha Sarakham, Surin and Yasothon - that is home of jasmine rice, local handicraft, silk, a dinosaur museum and so forth.
But long ago, long before Thung Kula Ronghai became a rice bowl, it was a cruel and inhospitable piece land prone to floods and drought. It was roamed by nomads, particularly the Kula tribe that had its roots in Burma, known for their strength and endurance.

The mood at Bun Pawed Festival replicated at the provincial museum.

Extreme weather made survival difficult often leaving these roaming tribes in tears, which is how Thung Kula Ronghai got its name. The name means "crying pastures of the Kula tribe".
Moving on to Roi Et's other attribute, Barn Wai Luem is a community reputed for weaving and designing dresses made from silk. Arriving there, we saw weavers hard at work.
Believe me, each design has a meaning. The community produces five main designs, each with a different meaning and significance. For instance, the Kham Pao design has straight lines, implying integrity and close cooperation, the main attributes of Isan people. I was amazed how articulate the weaving procedure was. "Saket", a special silk-weaving procedure combines five designs. The word "Saket" is derived from Saketnakorn, Roi Et's previous name. This silk is the colour of the "Inthanin bok", the representative flower of the province.
Roi Et's national museum is also worth a stop. If dinosaurs fascinate you, it has a mini jurassic park near the entrance, and deeper inside there are other interesting displays, like replication of bones of dinosaurs and related information.

Ancient pottery 1,500 years old and more.

You'll get to understand Roi Et better after visiting the exhibition area on the first floor. Samrit cowbell, prehistoric pottery, and jewellery plates are the highlights on second floor.
"How old are these antiques?" I asked. "Most are around 1,500 years old and some even older," said one staffer. Additionally, there is a life-size display depicting the lifestyle of ancient Chinese settlers and objects in use at the time.
A large model of Bun Phawed Festival in progress stands out the third floor. It is the pride and joy of Roi Et. If you attend this festival, you will like the upbeat music and cheering crowd. Another unique aspect is the khao pun rice noodle available free of charge to everybody, emphasising camaraderie and easy-going atmosphere that prevails during the festival.
Wat Buraphaphiram is among numerous temples with fascinating architecture. One charming construction at the temple is the statue of standing Buddha named Phra Phuttha Rattanamongkol Mahamunee, or Luangpho Yai. It is 67.85 metres tall and immediately grabs your attention. It is the symbol of Roi Et.
Locals believe the statue brings harmony and prosperity to the province as well as the people.
Last but not least, the cuisine and friendliness are possibly the most well-known characteristics of Isan. Although you can find northeastern delicacies in almost every corner of Bangkok, it is so much more fun eating Isan food in the land of its birth, trust me. The friendliness of Isan people will make you want to visit the region every now and then.

For more information about the province's attractions, visit http://province.prd.go.th/roiet or call its PR office at 043-527-117.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/travelscoop/14787/roi-et-ready-with-a-surprise-or-two