Sa Kaeo

Sa Kaeo is border country — the Aranyaprathet-Poipet crossing into Cambodia is one of the busiest land borders in Southeast Asia, and the Rong Kluea Market on the Thai side is a sprawling bazaar of Cambodian goods, secondhand clothes, and electronics. The border area has a raw energy that's distinctly different from the polished tourist crossings elsewhere.

Beyond the border zone, the province has genuine historical depth. Prasat Sadok Kok Thom is an impressive 11th-century Khmer temple with a sandstone inscription that's been crucial for deciphering Khmer history. Pang Sida National Park, along the Cambodian border, is one of Thailand's most important butterfly habitats — hundreds of species concentrate around mineral licks, and the park's waterfalls are surrounded by pristine dipterocarp forest. The Khlong Hat Som Pan community near the park offers homestay experiences with traditional Khmer-Thai villages.