A Walking Plan for Roi Et Town
Bueng Phlan Chai · Roi Et Tower · Cafes · Night Market

✍️ By Doctor Chat

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The nice thing about doing Roi Et on foot is that the main sights cluster around Bueng Phlan Chai, the pond at the centre of town. Roi Et Tower sits on one side of the pond, while the town temples, cafes and food streets are not far off, and many stretches are easy to walk between with no time wasted hunting for parking. We ordered the day so the parts that take some energy fall in the morning while the air is still cool, then ease off into cafes and the night market, so you finish the day with your legs still in good shape.

The walking plan at a glance

• Morning — walk around Bueng Phlan Chai while it is cool and pay respects at the City Pillar Shrine on the island in the middle of the pond
• Late morning — climb Roi Et Tower for the 360-degree view while the sky is clear and the crowds are thin
• Midday–afternoon — have lunch in town, then escape the sun in a cafe, sip a coffee and rest your legs
• Evening — walk the night market / Saket Nakhon walking street, eat local food and end the day by the pond

Below we split this into two plans. The first is a standard half-day to full-day walk. The second is for anyone who happens to come on a Friday or Saturday when the walking street is on, so you catch the night market too. If you come on a weekday, check the closing tip for which markets are open instead.

Bueng Phlan Chai — where the day starts and ends

Bueng Phlan Chai is the big pond in the middle of town that works as both a public park and the heart of Roi Et. In the centre of the pond is an island laid out as a shady garden, with the City Pillar Shrine that townspeople revere, pedal boats for rent, and space where the province holds its festivals. The charm here is that you can walk it twice in one day for two different moods — cool air and exercisers in the morning, a cool breeze and sunset light in the evening — which is exactly why it works as both the start and the finish of a walking plan.

• Hours — open 07:00–20:00, free entry
• On the island — City Pillar Shrine, gardens, photo spots
• Tip — morning and evening have the best atmosphere; midday sun is harsh, so save that for a cafe instead

Roi Et Tower — a short walk from the pond

Roi Et Tower (Ho Wot 101) is a town viewing tower shaped like a wot, the traditional Isan reed instrument, standing beside Bueng Phlan Chai just a few minutes' walk from the pond. From the top floor you get a 360-degree view of Roi Et, taking in the pond, temple roofs and the rice fields around town on a clear day. It is a good spot for getting your bearings before you head down to explore on foot.

• Hours — tickets sold 09:00–19:00, deck open 10:00–20:00, open daily
• Admission — adults 50 THB, students and seniors 40 THB; young children, people with disabilities and seniors aged 70 and over enter free
• Tip — a clear morning gives sharp views, near dusk gives the town lights; take your pick

Cafes out of the sun — an afternoon rest

Roi Et has gained plenty of inviting cafes over the past few years. The hot afternoon is the right time to duck inside, sip a coffee, rest your legs and wait for the sun to soften before walking on. Most are in the town centre or in the lanes around the pond, a short walk or quick drive away.

How to walk it and enjoy it without wearing out

• Wear comfy shoes — the loop around the pond plus the town adds up to several kilometres, so sneakers help a lot
• Skip the midday sun — from about 11:00–15:00 the sun is strong, so make that your lunch and cafe window for an easier time
• Carry water and an umbrella — Isan is hot with strong sun, so keep water on you and an umbrella that doubles for sun and rain
• Start early, finish in the evening — mornings and evenings have the best weather, so put your walking in those two windows