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There are seventy-six provinces in Thailand. How many of these are located in the vast Isaan region?

19. The three newest provinces in Thailand are ones that were previously districts in larger provinces. These newest ones are Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Nongbualamphu.

What is the ethnic group of most of the inhabitants of the Isaan region of Thailand?

Isaan. The Isaan people group numbers approximately 18 to 20 million and most of these still live in the Isaan region. In 2008 this was about one-third of the population of the country.

The Isaan people speak a language that has many similarities to what two other languages?

Thai and Laotian. Thai, Isaan and Laotian are all tonal languages. Thai has five tones, but Isaan has six. Many of the words are exactly the same, others have a different tone, and yet others are completely different.

A major highway that brought much development to the heart of Isaan is Highway 2 or Thanon Mitraphab. What is the English name for this road?

Friendship Highway. This highway begins in Saraburi Province, not a part of Isaan, and passes through Nakhonratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udonthani and Nong Khai Provinces. There are two main rail lines into Isaan. One following Highway 2 closely and going all the way to the Mekong River on the northern border of Isaan. The other branch runs to the east along the bottom of the Isaan region. There are numerous airports throughout Isaan. Buses travel throughout the region.

The geographic center of the Isaan region is located in the province that is also called the educational center of Isaan. Which province is this?

Mahasarakham Province. Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham Ratchaphat University, an agriculural college, a physical education college, a nursing college, a vocational school and a technological college all are in Mahasarakham Province. Students are everywhere!

The Mekong River is the northern and eastern border for much of the Isaan region. Two bridges have been built across this river, one in Nong Khai Province and one in Mukdahan Province. What country is Thailand's neighbor on the other side of the Mekong River?

Laos. Thailand does not border Vietnam, but it is on the other side of Laos.

Phra Viharn Temple is a World Heritage site in a neighboring country to Thailand. The area around the temple is disputed territory between Thailand and which of it neighbors?

Cambodia. Tensions over this dispute escalated in July, 2008 and again in October, 2008 and both countries sent troops into the area, although Cambodia was granted the land on which the temple is situated in 1962 by the ruling of an international court. Sisaket Province is the province in Thailand in the area of this temple.

The staple carbohydrate of the people in the Isaan region is which of the following?

glutinous rice. Glutinous rice is also called sticky rice. It is a different type of rice than long-grain rice and it is also prepared in a different way.

While rice fields abound in Isaan there are other crops produced as well. Which of the following is a major crop in Isaan?

sugar cane. Sugar cane is grown and processed into sugar in Isaan. Pineapple is commonly grown in southern Thailand.

Somtom is a delicious Isaan dish that is enjoyed by people all over Thailand. What is a common name for this dish in English?

Green papaya salad. There are many varieties of somtom, but some of the basic ingredients are green papaya, chili peppers, palm sugar, lime juice, fish sauce and garlic. The Isaan version includes fermented fish sauce and often includes a small type of eggplant. Crispy catfish salad is also delicious. Mango is used in many salads, too.

Many people in the Isaan region of Thailand eat some things that others in Thailand do not generally eat. Which of the following is NOT one of these items?

fermented water buffalo milk. The people in Isaan generally take the teasing they receive from other Thais about some of their eating preferences with good humor. Many residents in Isaan eat a variety of other insects, as well as field rats.

Mountains and waterfalls are present in the Isaan region just as they are in other parts of Thailand. In which province in Isaan is the highest mountain located?

Loei Province. Phu Gradung Mountain is popular with Isaan and Thai adventurers, especially around the New Year's holiday. Hikers can pay to have their packs carried up the mountain and camping is popular during this time.

In Kalasin Province there is an impressive museum based on which animals in Isaan?

dinosaurs. Dinosaur remains have been found throughout much of Isaan. The museum in Kalasin includes an actual dig site.

Festivals are common in Thailand, with each province having their own emphasis. Surin Province in Isaan is famous for a festival each November in which a very large gathering of what animal convenes there?

elephants. There is small ethnic group living in the area of Surin who historically have trained elephants and they still do. Over two hundred elephants attend the festival and are involved in a variety of activites such as playing soccer (football) and painting.

Somluck Kamsing is Thailand's first Olympic gold medalist. He is from Khon Kaen Province in Isaan. For which sport did he win a gold medal in 1996?

boxing. Thailand has won a total of 21 Olympic medals as of September 2008. Boxing, weightlifting and taekwondo are the sports for which they have won these medals.