Isaan Bonjour

Private initiative for the promotion of Isaan region and its sustainable development inside the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

23/05/2026

A painted jar, a human skeleton surrounded by pottery vessels, these are among the common images found in archaeological excavation reports from Ban Chiang, Nong Han District, Udon Thani Province.

On closer inspection, the pottery is not scattered randomly or neatly lined up; rather, it is arranged in positions related to the skeleton, reflecting the beliefs, way of life, and ritual patterns of the ancient Ban Chiang community.

Read - Jar burials of children: beliefs about the afterlife in the ancient Ban Chiang community
https://theisaanrecord.co/2026/05/22/jar-burials-of-children-beliefs-about-the-afterlife-in-the-ancient-ban-chiang-community/

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Author: Kamolthip Wichai

21/05/2026

Villagers in northeastern Thailand have begun digging for “mang jeenoon”, a seasonal scarab beetle delicacy popular in Isaan cuisine, as the arrival of the rainy season creates opportunities for extra income.

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

A spectacular showcase with the grand launch of the "Mor Lam Carnival: The Charm of Isan Khon Kaen" under the theme, Khon Kaen to the World 2027, aiming to cement the province's reputation as the global "metropolis of mor lam," elevating the traditional folk music genre for UNESCO World Heritage status.

16/05/2026

Thailand has unveiled a new dinosaur species — Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, or the “giant Naga of Chaiyaphum”.

The long-necked plant-eater is estimated to have measured 27–30 metres and weighed more than 26 tonnes, making it the largest dinosaur ever found in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The discovery began with a villager’s observation in 2016 and has now become Thailand’s 14th officially named dinosaur.

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10/05/2026

Wat Pa Phu Kon in Udon Thani Province is renowned for its beautiful applied Thai architecture on a mountaintop, a 20-meter-long reclining Buddha statue made of white marble, and the Phra Pathom Rattana Burapacharn Maha Chedi. The peaceful and serene atmosphere is ideal for meditation and enjoying the natural scenery.

❤️ วัดป่าภูก้อน จ.อุดรธานี โดดเด่นด้วยวิหารสถาปัตยกรรมไทยประยุกต์ที่งดงามบนยอดเขา, พระพุทธไสยาสน์หินอ่อนสีขาว (พระนอน) ยาว 20 เมตร, และพระปฐมรัตนบูรพาจารย์มหาเจดีย์ บรรยากาศสงบร่มรื่นเหมาะแก่การปฏิบัติธรรมและชมวิวทิวทัศน์ธรรมชาติ

#อีสานมหานคร

10/05/2026

09/05/2026

Wat Ban Dan in Sisaket Province.

06/05/2026

Loei’s unique Phi Khon Nam, or “water-carrying spirits”, tradition came alive in grand style at Wat Pho Si in Chiang Khan district as Ban Na Sao villagers gathered to preserve the 2026 edition of the rain-praying festival.

Hundreds of dancers wearing the striking “Maeng Na Ngam” masks joined a colourful procession, moving to the rhythm of local music in a ceremony held to honour Chao Pu, the village’s ancestral guardian spirit, and Phaya Thaen, a deity or spirit in Thai and Lao folklore, while praying for rain to fall in season.

The atmosphere was lively throughout the event, with Phi Khon Nam performers dancing along the streets and creating excitement on both sides of the route. Thai and foreign tourists turned out in large numbers to witness the rare cultural spectacle.

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