Roi Et may not be on every traveler’s Thailand itinerary, but our weekend there turned out to be a perfect combination of adventure, good food, friends, and exploring somewhere a little off the beaten path. We packed quite a bit into a short visit – and celebrated my birthday along the way.
Coffee at Baitong Valley 101
Our first stop was Baitong Valley 101, a beautiful and relaxing spot on the outskirts of Roi Et. We stopped for coffee and took some time to enjoy the surroundings. It was a great introduction to Roi Et.
From there, we headed into the city and checked into the M Grand Hotel, our home base for the visit. The hotel gave us a convenient location for exploring Roi Et and a comfortable place to relax between adventures.
A Birthday zip-line from Roi Et Tower
The next morning was my birthday, and there was no sleeping in. We headed to Roi Et Tower, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. But instead of simply taking in the views, we decided to add a little adrenaline to the birthday celebration. I went zip-lining from the Roi Et Tower!
It’s certainly one way to make a birthday memorable. Flying through the air from one of the tallest points in the city provided a completely different perspective of Roi Et – and a lot more excitement than the usual birthday celebration.
Relaxing at Skipper Café
After the zip-line adventure, we headed to Skipper Garden Café, where the pace slowed considerably. We settled in with drinks and snacks and spent some time simply relaxing and enjoying the afternoon.
After the excitement of the morning, a little café time was exactly what we needed. It was a chance to chill, talk, and enjoy the slower side of Roi Et.
Dinner at Licking Lips
That evening we met up with friends for dinner at Licking Lips Restaurant, another highlight of our Roi Et visit.
The owner was kind enough to give me a tour of the café, which made the visit more personal than simply showing up for dinner. We got to see more of the place and learn a little about what goes on behind the scenes.
Of course, the main event was still dinner. Sharing a meal of grilled sea-bass, salmon sashimi, mango chili sauce, and tom yum chili paste sauce with friends made for a great birthday evening, and the relaxed atmosphere at Licking Lips made it easy to linger and enjoy ourselves.
Exploring the Roi Et Night Market
After dinner, we headed out to explore the Roi Et night market. Night markets are one of my favorite ways to experience Thailand. They’re not just about shopping or eating – they’re where you get to see people out enjoying their evening, sample local food, browse the stalls, and experience the everyday rhythm of a Thai city. Roi Et’s market gave us another opportunity to wander around, see what caught our attention, and enjoy the city after dark.
Roi Et’s Street Art
We finished the weekend by exploring more of Roi Et during the daytime, this time looking for some of the street art scattered around town. The murals and artwork added another dimension to the city. They’re easy to overlook if you’re simply driving through Roi Et, but taking the time to explore revealed some colorful and creative corners that we might otherwise have missed.
A Final Stop at Wat Pa Kung
Before heading home, we made one final stop at Wat Prachakom Wanaram, better known as Wat Pa Kung. The temple provided a peaceful contrast to the more energetic parts of our weekend, giving us a chance to slow down and take in another side of Roi Et and the surrounding Isan countryside.
After coffee at Baitong Valley 101, ziplining from Roi Et Tower, relaxing at Skipper Café, dinner with friends, exploring the night market, and searching out Roi Et’s street art, Wat Pa Kung was a fitting final stop before heading home.
It was a quiet and beautiful way to finish our weekend in Roi Et.
A Birthday Weekend Worth Remembering
Our weekend in Roi Et was a reminder that you don’t always need to travel to Thailand’s famous destinations to have a great adventure. We found plenty to enjoy: Baitong Valley 101, the M Grand Hotel, zip-lining from Roi Et Tower, relaxing at Skipper Garden Café, dinner at Licking Lips Café, the night market, local street art, and a temple visit.
A little adventure, some good food, great friends, and a new corner of Thailand. Not a bad birthday weekend.