Population 17.97 million (as of 2023*)
Description Northeastern Thailand, or Isan, is bound by national borders with Lao PDR to the north and east and Cambodia to the south. The region spans the Korat Plateau and has a drier, cooler climate compared to other parts of Thailand, separated by several mountain ranges. Its tributaries, the Songkhram, Chi, and Mun rivers, flow into the Mekong River, which forms part of the Thai-Lao border. The region is considered the food basket of Thailand due to its agriculture sector, accounting for a large proportion of the country’s rice, cassava, and sugarcane production. The most populous region in Thailand, Isan has strong Lao cultural commonalities and is renowned for its spicy cuisine, folk performances, and colorful festivals like Bun Bang Fai and Phi Ta Khon.