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🌾 Roi Et itinerary · Nature trip

Roi Et Nature Trip
Bueng Kluea & Thung Kula Ronghai

Roi Et is more than just Bueng Phlan Chai park in the city center. Head a little out of town and you'll find two wildly different sides of nature. One is Bueng Kluea, a freshwater lake with a white sandy beach that locals have nicknamed the "Isan sea." The other is Thung Kula Ronghai, a vast plain stretching to the horizon that grows the best jasmine rice in the country. We've put it together as a 2-day, 1-night plan you can easily self-drive, split into day-by-day blocks with times and rough costs.

🏖️ Freshwater beach🌾 Jasmine rice fields🚗 Self-drive trip
Roi Et Nature Trip Bueng Kluea & Thung Kula Ronghai

✍️ By Doctor Chat

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Before we start, honestly: this trip works best if you have a car. Both Bueng Kluea (Selaphum district) and Thung Kula Ronghai (Kaset Wisai–Suwannaphum) sit on opposite sides from Roi Et city, and public transport out there is a hassle. If you don't have your own car, renting one in town or hiring a local van is far more practical. This trip uses Roi Et city as its base.

Trip overview before you set off

On day one we head east to Bueng Kluea, the Isan sea, to spend the day swimming, lounging on the sand and eating by the lake, then come back to sleep in the city. On day two we switch direction and drive south into Thung Kula Ronghai to take in the jasmine rice fields and stop at the Khmer ruins of Ku Kasing before looping back to town.

  • Rough distances — Roi Et city to Bueng Kluea is about 50–55 km (around 1 hr) · to Thung Kula / Ku Kasing is about 60–70 km (around 1 hr 15 min).
  • Best seasons — Bueng Kluea is best for swimming in the hot-to-early-rainy season (Mar–Jun) · Thung Kula is greenest in Aug–Sep and a golden harvest gold in Nov–Dec.
  • Rough budget — about 1,200–1,800 THB per person for a relaxed 2 days, 1 night (excluding lodging and fuel).
  • What to wear — bring swimwear and sunscreen. The open fields get very strong sun, so a hat and sunglasses help a lot.
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Day 1 — Bueng Kluea, the Isan sea: swim and catch the breeze

Bueng Kluea is a large freshwater lake of around 7,500 rai in Bueng Kluea sub-district, Selaphum. The spot people visit is the western shore, where a white sandy beach runs for almost a kilometer. The water is shallow with a gentle slope, so kids can wade in, and the vibe feels like a real seaside even though you're in the middle of Isan — hence the nickname, the Isan sea.

Day 1

Roi Et city → Bueng Kluea → back to the city

08:00
Leave Roi Et city, head for Selaphum districtFill up the tank before you go — gas stations are scarce near Bueng Kluea. Have breakfast in town or grab some khao jee (grilled sticky rice) to eat on the road.
09:00
Arrive at Bueng Kluea, park by the beach, stroll the sandParking is roomy and there's no entry fee. The morning sun is still gentle, so it's a good time to walk and photograph the beach.
10:00
Swim, rent an inner tube, or ride a banana boatInner tubes rent for around 20–30 THB. Banana boats and jet skis are charged per ride, so agree on the price with the operator before you start.
12:00
Lunch on a floating raft restaurant by the lakeThe floating rafts serve Isan food and fish dishes — grilled fish, koi pla, som tam, grilled chicken — a breezy, cooling lunch. Budget around 150–250 THB per person.
14:00
Chill under the shade and watch the waterfowlBueng Kluea is a conservation area for waterfowl. The afternoon breeze is cool — perfect for a hammock nap under the shade after lunch.
16:00
Pack up and head back to Roi Et cityYou'll reach the city around 17:00. Shower and rest, then head out in the evening to eat at a market in town.
18:30
Dinner in town + a walk around Bueng Phlan ChaiIn the evening Bueng Phlan Chai lights up its gardens and locals come out to exercise — a nice spot for an after-dinner stroll to close out the day.

What to know before swimming at Bueng Kluea

This is natural freshwater with no lifeguard on duty like a swimming pool, so keep a close eye on kids and stay in the shallow areas. On long weekends it gets crowded and the raft restaurants can have a wait — arriving before noon gets you a better-placed raft.

Day 2 — Thung Kula Ronghai and the Khmer ruins of Ku Kasing

Thung Kula Ronghai is a vast plain of over 2 million rai spanning five provinces. The Roi Et side falls around the districts of Kaset Wisai, Suwannaphum, Pathum Rat and Phon Sai. This is the home of jasmine rice 105, which holds Geographic Indication (GI) status and is famous well beyond Thailand. The main draw on this side is taking in the rice fields as your backdrop, then stopping by the Ku Kasing Khmer ruins community in Kaset Wisai.

Day 2

Roi Et city → Thung Kula Ronghai → Ku Kasing → back to the city

07:30
Breakfast in town, check out of your hotelLeaving a bit early means catching the fields in soft light before the sun gets too harsh.
08:30
Drive toward Kaset Wisai into Thung Kula RonghaiRice fields stretch out on both sides the whole way. Find a safe roadside spot to pull over and photograph the fields whenever you like.
10:00
Explore Ku Kasing prasat at Wat Burapha Ku KasingA sandstone temple complex from the reign of King Jayavarman VII, in fairly complete condition, with no entry fee. Dress modestly since it sits within temple grounds.
11:00
Stop by the village community for local silk and souvenirsThe Ku Kasing community weaves silk and sells Thung Kula jasmine rice. You can buy rice to take home as a souvenir straight from the source.
12:00
Lunch on local food in the Kaset Wisai areaThe standout dishes here are bold-flavored Isan food — pla som, koi, laap, som tam — and the rice they cook is genuine Thung Kula jasmine. Budget around 120–200 THB per person.
13:30
Head out to the fields for Thung Kula view photosCome in the green season (Aug–Sep) and the fields are lush green; come at harvest (Nov–Dec) and the whole plain turns golden. Both seasons photograph beautifully in their own way.
15:30
Pack up and drive back to Roi Et cityStop to refuel before reaching town. You'll arrive in the late afternoon, in time to walk an evening market or sit at a café to wrap up the trip.

Getting good photos at Thung Kula

The best light is in the morning before 9 a.m. and in the afternoon after 3 p.m. when the sun is low and angled. Midday sun is flat and very hot. When pulling over to shoot, pick a wide, safe shoulder — don't park on the main road where traffic moves fast.

Extra nature stops if you have more time

If you want to extend the trip another day or swap in a different stop, Roi Et has several more nature and semi-historical sites to choose from. Pick whichever fits the route you're driving.

Nong Phok

Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol (Wat Pha Nam Thip)

A large white-and-gold chedi atop a hill in Nong Phok district, with views down over forest and open plains. It suits a nature-and-merit-making side trip, but it's on the opposite side from Thung Kula, so allow extra time for the longer drive.

Thawat Buri

Prang Ku (Prasat Nong Ku)

A Baphuon-style Khmer prasat in Ma-i sub-district, Thawat Buri, close to the city and an easy stop on your way in or out of town — good for adding a historical layer to the trip.

In town

Bueng Phlan Chai

An island park on water in the city center, good for a stroll or a pedal boat. The evening atmosphere is pleasant — an easy place to wind down the day without a long drive.

Nature-themed souvenirs to bring home

  • Thung Kula Ronghai jasmine rice — buy from the village or shops in Kaset Wisai–Suwannaphum for the real thing at source prices, more fragrant than anything from a supermarket.
  • Ku Kasing local silk — woven by the village women's group, with ladybird patterns and shawls — a souvenir with a story behind it.
  • Pla som and sun-dried fish — local lakeside fare you can take home to fry up. Ask the shop to pack it for a long trip.

Want a full Roi Et itinerary covering every angle? We've put together a complete city guide.

See the Roi Et travel guide →

FAQ

Can you visit Bueng Kluea and Thung Kula Ronghai in a single day?

You can if you rush, but we don't recommend it, because the two sit on opposite sides of Roi Et city. Driving both in one day is tiring and you won't get a full swim in. Splitting it into 2 days, 1 night like this plan is far more relaxed — Bueng Kluea on day one, Thung Kula on day two.

Can you actually swim at Bueng Kluea? Is the water clean?

Yes, you can swim — it's natural freshwater, and the shore is shallow with a gentle slope so kids can wade in. There are inner tubes and banana boats for rent. But since it's a natural body of water with no lifeguard on duty, keep a close eye on kids and stay in the shallow areas.

When is Thung Kula Ronghai at its most beautiful?

It depends what you like. The green season runs August–September, when the whole plain is lush green; harvest season runs November–December, when the fields turn golden. Both photograph beautifully with a different mood. Avoid the peak dry season when the fields are bare.

Can you do this plan without your own car?

You can, but it's a hassle, because both Bueng Kluea and Thung Kula are outside the city with little public transport access. The smoothest option is to rent a car in Roi Et city, or hire a van or local vehicle by the day. Agree on the price and stops with the driver in advance.

Where should you stay for this trip?

We recommend basing yourself in Roi Et city, since it sits midway between Bueng Kluea (east) and Thung Kula (south), with plenty of hotels and places to eat. You can drive out to each site and loop back to sleep conveniently on both days.

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