Roi Et province is located in the middle of Isan, the northeastern region of Thailand, where the modern city was founded over 200 years ago. Prior to that, the area featured a large city known as Saket Nakhon that had 11 other cities under its control and was protected by 11 city gates. Roi Et in Thai language means “one hundred and one” and the town was so called either because in ancient times they usually wrote the number eleven as 101 meaning ten and one, instead of one hundred and one, although it is also suggested they were simply exaggerating. At present, modern development has replaced the ancient civilization, making it hard to find any remains, though the 11th century Khmer ruins at Ku Kasing are under reconstruction as a new tourist venue. Roi Et also features a number of impressive Buddha images and some spectacular festivals, including old fashioned rocket festivals in several towns across the province during the months of May and June.