Udon Thani and Nong Khai Provinces are major cities in the Upper Eastern (Isan) region of Thailand. These two provinces are rich in both natural and cultural heritage. The abundance of natural resources found in both land and water, surrounded by mountainous plains makes the area for suitable for farming. The adjacent Mekong River also serves as an important source of life for all those living in the region. Therefore, it comes to no surprise that the area has played host to human inhabitants since prehistoric times, evidently found through archaeological research and empirical evidence. Examples include those found at Ban Chiang and Phu Phra Bat, revealing how a group of people has lived together as a community since prehistoric times (for more than 3000-4000 BP), before the development of the community, which led to the economic boom and war between kingdoms in each era, intertwining with the history and people in other areas such as Vientiane, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya until the present Rattanakosin period.

As a culturally rich region of Thailand with exotic landscapes and natural wonders, the Upper Isan provides visitors with lots of amusement and food for thought. This trip will lead participants to various places to learn, discover, and experience the deep and significant cultural history of people. We will visit one of the only three prehistoric copper production sites in Southeast Asia, namely Phulon in Nong Khai Province. Participants will also enjoy the discovery of amazing complex and hybrid of cultural and natural heritage at Phu Phrabat Historical Park and associated sites in Udon Thani. Last but not least, you will have the opportunity to experience breathtaking landscapes along the banks of the Mekong River.

Dr Thanik Lertcharnrit is an Associate Professor of Archaeology and a full-time faculty member at Department of Archaeology, Silpakorn University. He earned his BA with honours in archaeology from Silpakorn University in Bangkok, MA and PhD from Department of Anthropology, Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, USA. During the past 30 years, he embarked on numerous archaeological research and excavations of prehistoric sites in central Thailand, and has published a number of articles on the subject.