hough it lacks the pristine beaches, hill-tribe trekking and fast-paced urban energy found elsewhere in Thailand, Isaan's appeal is far more subtle. Often friendlier than in other regions, many of the locals speak a Lao dialect and their rustic Lao-influenced cuisine can be a highlight. There are also significant Vietnamese populations in cities like Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen and Sakhon Nakhon, while a Khmer dialect can be heard in Surin and Buriram