The Wat Burapha Phiram Temple in Roi Et

The famous temple is located in Roi Et city. It was formerly known as Wat Hua Ro and was later renamed as Wat Buraphaphiram. Over there, you will see what is called is the tallest standing Buddha image in Thailand, also known as Phra Phuttha Rattanamongkhon Mahamuni or Luangpho Yai. The Buddha image is 59.2 metres tall and if the base is included, it would be 67.85 metres tall. There is a museum at the base. Luangpho Yai is highly-revered by the people of Roi Et. Wat Burapha Phiram Temple in Roi Et from outside the moat. For more pictures, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50651722@N03/sets/72157651605130296/

Visitor Tips

Located in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), this is one of the many dining options available to visitors and expats in the Isaan region of Thailand. When visiting restaurants in Korat, it is customary to order several dishes to share. Most restaurants in this area serve both Thai and international cuisine, and staff often speak some English.

Getting There

Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) is located approximately 250 km northeast of Bangkok. You can reach Korat by bus from Bangkok’s Mo Chit terminal (about 3.5 hours), by train from Hua Lamphong station, or by minivan from Chatuchak. Tuk-tuks and songthaews (shared trucks) are the most common local transport within the city.

About Isaan Cuisine

The Isaan region of northeastern Thailand has its own distinct culinary tradition, influenced by Lao and Khmer cultures. Signature dishes include som tam (spicy papaya salad), larb (spiced minced meat salad), sticky rice (khao niao), and grilled chicken (gai yang). Food in Isaan tends to be spicier and more sour than central Thai food, using ingredients like padaek (fermented fish sauce) and fresh herbs.

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The Standing Buddha

The centrepiece of Wat Burapha Phiram is the enormous standing Buddha image visible from across Roi-Et city. The image – known locally as Phra Phuttha Ratana Mongkhon Maha Muni – stands 67.85 metres tall, making it one of the tallest Buddha images in Thailand. It houses a small museum and meditation rooms inside its base, and the wide staircase leading up to the image offers views across the flat rice-farming landscape of the province.

The Temple Grounds

The temple grounds are expansive, with multiple buildings, ponds, and gardens surrounding the main Buddha. A large lake at the base of the image reflects the statue on calm mornings. The grounds are popular with local families on weekends, who come for the combination of religious merit-making and recreational space. The temple hosts major Buddhist celebrations during Visakha Bucha and Asalha Bucha (May/July dates), when thousands of devotees gather for candlelit processions.

Roi-Et City

Roi-Et (ร้อยเอ็ด, literally ‘one hundred and one’) is a small provincial capital in Isaan rarely visited by international tourists, making it a rewarding destination for those who want to experience genuine northeastern Thai life away from the backpacker circuit. The city centre has a pleasant artificial lake (Bueng Phlan Chai), a walking street on weekends, and good local food markets. The province is known for its silk weaving and for being the birthplace of the mor lam musical tradition – the roots of what became modern Isaan pop music.

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