Roi Et Travel Guide

City City in Thailand, known for rice production

In Thailand’s Isan plateau, Roi Et centers on Bueng Phalan Chai lake and an observation tower with sweeping city views. Travelers sample northeastern food at the night market, visit provincial temples and take day trips to nearby rice paddies.

Costs

Budget travel: $20-40 per day

Very cheap daily costs; street food and budget guesthouses dominate.

Safety

Generally safe, petty-theft risk

Quiet city with low violent crime; watch belongings in crowded markets.

Best Time

November-February

Cool, dry season with comfortable temps and festival activity.

In This Guide

Why Visit Roi Et?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

39,328

Infrastructure & Convenience

Limited public transit, few English signs; motorbike or taxi is usual transport.

Popularity

Rarely visited by foreigners; mostly domestic and regional travelers.

Known For

Roi Et Tower, Isan cuisine, local festivals, rice fields, silk weaving, provincial markets, rustic temples, relaxed small-city vibe

Roi Et literally means "one hundred and one" in Thai - the name references the number 101.

Why Visit Roi Et? #

Northern Isan’s mix of lowland charm and regional culture makes Roi Et a quiet yet intriguing stop for travelers seeking everyday Thai life. Expect lively night markets, sticky rice and spicy larb that define Isan cuisine, and the city’s landmark 101-meter observation tower beside the central lake. Local festivals, including the rocket-firing Bun Bang Fai season, highlight rural traditions and community spirit. Visit for an unhurried look at provincial Thailand and accessible day trips into surrounding rice terraces.

Top Things to Do in Roi Et

Don't Miss

Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol - Large hilltop chedi with panoramic city views and a distinctive golden spire.
Bueng Phalan Chai - Central lake and park offering walking paths, evening lights, and local vendors.
Roi Et National Museum - Small regional museum presenting Isaan artifacts and Roi Et provincial history exhibits.

Hidden Gems

Roi Et Night Market - Evening market near Bueng Phalan Chai serving street food and crafted souvenirs.
Wat Burapha Phiram - Quiet temple complex featuring intricate murals, shaded courtyards, and contemplative corners.
Local silk-weaving workshops - Family-run workshops where you can observe and buy handwoven Isaan silk textiles.

Day Trips

Phu Phan National Park - Forested hills and waterfalls with viewpoints and short hikes about one hour away.
Sakon Nakhon temples circuit - Half-day drive visits to historic temples and hilltop shrines north of Roi Et.

Best Time to Visit Roi Et #

Visit Roi Et in the cool, dry months (November-February) for comfortable temperatures and festival time. Avoid the intense pre-monsoon heat (March-May) and the heavy rains from May to October.

Cool Season

November - February · 18-30°C (64-86°F)

Mornings are pleasantly cool, afternoons warm - perfect for temple visits, festivals, and countryside rides without oppressive heat or daily downpours.

Hot Season

March - May · 25-38°C (77-100°F)

Blistering afternoons and strong sun; great for early mornings but tiring midday - bring light clothes, sunscreen, and expect dusty roads.

Rainy Season

May - October · 24-33°C (75-91°F)

Frequent heavy rains cool the heat but make rural roads muddy; lush landscapes and fewer tourists, though some outdoor plans may be disrupted.

Best Time to Visit Roi Et #

Climate

Roi Et's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 17°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1327 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryDecemberFebruary

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

44°

Warmest Month

8°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

17° – 31°

58%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

4 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.1h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

19° – 33°

51%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

20 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.5h daylight

March

March is hot, feeling like 30°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

81 Excellent

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

22° – 35°

51%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

30 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.9h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

30°C

Temperature

24° – 36°

57%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

78 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (179 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 34°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

179 mm

Rainfall

1.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.8h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 35°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (208 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

35°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 33°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

208 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

13.0h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (193 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 32°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

193 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (256 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

256 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Very High

12.6h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (238 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

238 mm

Rainfall

1.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

12.1h daylight

October

October is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

103 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.7h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

20° – 31°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

16 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.2h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

17° – 29°

66%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

2 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

Very High

11.0h daylight

How to Get to Roi Et

Roi Et is served by a small domestic airport (Roi Et Airport, ROI) and by an intercity bus terminal; there is no direct passenger rail service into the city. Most visitors arrive by regional flight or by bus/minivan from larger northeastern cities such as Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani or Bangkok.

By Air

Roi Et Airport (ROI): The small domestic Roi Et Airport handles regional flights to and from Bangkok and other provincial hubs. From the airport to Roi Et town centre you can take a shared minivan or airport shuttle (roughly 50-120 THB, about 25-40 minutes depending on traffic) or a private taxi (around 300-400 THB, 25-35 minutes).

By Train & Bus

Train: Roi Et has no active intercity railway station. The nearest mainline railheads are in Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani; if you want to travel by rail you typically take a bus or minivan from Roi Et to one of those cities and join the national rail network there.

Bus / Minivan: Roi Et Bus Terminal is the local hub for intercity coaches and minivan services. Regular buses and VIP coaches run to Bangkok (6-7 hours; fares commonly ~300-600 THB depending on class) and to regional centres such as Khon Kaen or Ubon Ratchathani (1-2 hours by minivan or bus; fares commonly ~80-250 THB). Local songthaews and tuk‑tuks connect the terminal with neighbourhoods.

How to Get Around Roi Et #

Downtown Roi Et is compact and easy to explore on foot for short visits around the central park and markets. For longer trips use songthaews (shared pickup trucks), motorbike taxis and occasional tuk‑tuks; short rides are generally paid in single‑digit or low‑double‑digit baht amounts. Intercity buses run from the main bus terminal to other provinces. Renting a motorcycle is common for day trips-carry ID, a helmet and be cautious on rural roads.

Where to Stay in Roi Et #

Budget

City centre / Near bus terminal - $10-30/night

Roi Et has mainly small guesthouses and budget hotels; options are limited and basic. Consider brief stays or bases while exploring the province.

Multiple guesthouses (see listing) - Small, basic guesthouses listed on Booking.com
Hostel/guesthouse listings on Agoda - Budget rooms and homestays available

Mid-Range

Near Central Market - $25-60/night

A few mid-range provincial hotels offer cleaner rooms with A/C and breakfast. Choices are limited compared with bigger cities; book ahead.

Local mid-range hotels (see listings) - Comfortable provincial hotels via Booking.com
Agoda listings for mid-range stays - Boutique-style provincial properties listed

Luxury

No central luxury quarter - $60+/night (nearby cities)

Roi Et lacks true luxury hotels; travellers seeking upscale amenities should stay in Khon Kaen or Ubon and day-trip in.

Limited high-end options (nearby cities) - No major resorts in town; see nearby cities
Upscale options via booking platforms - For true luxury, consider Khon Kaen or Ubon Ratchathani

Where to Eat in Roi Et #

Isaan & Local Dishes

Roi Et's food scene centers on Isaan flavors: fiery som tam, sticky rice, grilled meats and humble noodle shops frequented by locals at markets and street stalls.

Local roadside khaosoi and som tam stalls - Spicy northeastern salads and grilled meats
Neighborhood som tam vendors - Papaya salad variations, salty and sour
Roi Et noodle shops - Simple broths, pork and beef options

Night Markets & Street Food

Evening markets and the Central Plaza food court are where visitors find grilled meats, sticky rice, grilled fish and quick Isaan snacks enjoyed by locals.

Roi Et Night Market (Talat Nalika) - Evening food stalls and cheap eats
Central Plaza Roi Et food court - Wide selection, family-friendly options
Local fresh markets - Fresh produce, grilled street snacks

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Roi Et's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Thai

Pizza

Chicken

Japanese

Diner

Grill

German

American

European

Steak House

International

Italian Pizza

Nightlife in Roi Et #

Evening life in Roi Et is low‑key: a nightly market near the centre plus a handful of local bars and karaoke spots. Expect casual outdoor food stalls and family‑oriented venues rather than nightclub scenes.

Shopping in Roi Et #

Shopping is a mix of a modern mall for chains and everyday needs and small street markets selling produce, snacks and modest local crafts. If you’re after handicrafts or specialty items options are limited; the night market is a good place to browse.