Udon Thani

Udon Thani (อุดรธานี, also Udorn Thanee) is a city in the Isaan region of Thailand. Often referred to as simply Udon or Udorn (อุดร), the city should not be confused with Ubon Ubon Ratchathani in southeastern Isaan.

Understand

Founded in the 1890's by Prince Prajak Silapakom, Udon Thani is the 7th largest city in Thailand.

Udon had a USAF airbase during the Vietnam War that increased its wealth and importance. Surrounded by one of the major agricultural areas of the country, Udon Thani has become a regional hub for agriculture, commercial distribution, shopping, and a fledgling tourism industry.

Because of the US presence (the airbase until 1976, a U.S. consulate until 1995, and currently, a Voice of America radio station) many Thais were well-paid and learned English, making them more marketable to foreign labour recruiters. Udon has a large number of its citizens who have worked or are working overseas, particularly in Middle East oil fields. This has contributed both to the wealth of the area and its desirability as an expat destination. More than 5,000 expats from Europe, Australia, and North America have settled in the area.

Get in

By plane

Udon Thani Airport (UTH) [1] has 50 min daily flights to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi [BKK]) or (Don Mueang [DMK]). There are also direct flights to Chiang Mai and Phuket.

To get to town there is a limousine service (actually a minibus) for 80 baht/person that will drop you and other passengers to the hotel/apartments/other place of your choice. If there are more than 2 of you, it may be cheaper to call a taxi (Tel. +66 42 323239). Minibus tickets are available in the booth just to the right as you leave the terminal building. Taxis are not permitted to wait for passengers at the airport. Some hotels have pick up services and may take an extra rider or 2 if space permits.

By bus

There are now two bus stations in the city: one in the city centre near Central Plaza, and one on the outskirts of town on the road in from Loei towards Nong Khai. A tuk-tuk into town costs some 80 baht from there.

Buses from Bangkok (Mo Chit), an 8-hour journey, arrive at the BKS station in the city centre.

Buses depart at least once per hour after 11:00 to Nong Khai (20 baht, 1 hour, non-air conditioned 3rd class) on the Lao border. Buses from Nong Khai may drop you off north of the city. Follow the locals and hop on the waiting #6 songthaew to the bus station or take a tuk-tuk.

There are six express buses a day direct to the Morning Market in Vientiane (80 baht, 2 hours, air-con 1st class departures at 08:00, 10:30, 11:30, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00). These cross-border buses will carry passengers who have not obtained their Lao visas in advance, but may NOT wait long enough at the border for a visa on arrival to be applied for and issued. This isn't a problem when the queues are short, but at busy times passengers who don't already have their visas may be left behind and have to continue by local bus or tuk-tuk.

By train

Daily trains go to Nong Khai and over the Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River to Laos. Trains are also frequent to Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok. The overnight express sleeper to Bangkok is scheduled to take 9.25 hours but usually takes longer. Nevertheless, it is still quite comfortable and pleasant, especially when taken in a sleeping berth or compartment. A daytime express train to Bangkok traverses a causeway over the large and scenic artificial lake created by the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam (in Lopburi Province). Connections to the major centres of southern Isaan (Buriram, Surin, Si Saket and Ubon Ratchathani) can be made in Nakhon Ratchasima for those who like to travel by rail.

In all, there are daily daytime trains, and three daily nighttime trains from Bangkok to Udon Thani and vice versa (most of which normally originate or terminate at Nong Khai), and several local trains to other destinations, including Nakhon Ratchasima.

Get around

Navigation around Udon Thani is made easier by three large roundabouts on the central road, Hwy 2: the clock circle, the fountain circle, and Prince Prajak Circle. It's also possible to orient yourself with Central Plaza or Nong Prajak Park. There is a bypass road that goes around the city.

By taxi

The main bus station, near Central Plaza has a taxi stand.

By bicycle taxi

Udon Thani has many samlors (three-wheeled bicycle taxis), although as elsewhere, they are slowly succumbing to the pressures of the internal combustion engine.

By tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuks, three-wheeled motorcycles, are readily available in most commercial areas. Negotiate a price before taking the ride. Note that in Udon Thani the locally made vehicles (called Skylabs) differ from those in most of Thailand outside Isaan in that their fronts are adapted motorcycles. If you travel to Laos, you will see such vehicles (called "jumbos") there, also.

By songthaew

Udon Thani has a bus-like network of numbered pick up trucks with 2 benches in the back songthaews; cost is 8 or 10 baht per trip (10 baht outside the ring road).

By bicycle

Bicycles are available for rent at the northeast corner of Nong Prajack park for 20 baht/hour.

By motorbike or car

Motorbikes and cars are for rent at numerous locations.

See

• Ban Chiang (about 35 km east of Udon). An archaeological dig that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Both buses and inter-village songthaews will drop you off at the Ban Chiang turn-off.

• Ban Nakha (15 km north of Udon on Rte 2). A village famous for selling hand woven silk and cotton garments. It is somewhat commercialized but a walk back from the road into the village can net some great bargains on silk and cotton.

• Nong Bua. A park with a lake just to the east of the railway line. It is noted for its Chinese pagodas over the lake and the dragon pole.

• Nong Prajack Park. A large recreational area within the city and the primary site for locals to exercise and chill out. Consisting of a large lake/reservoir with several small islands, it features pleasant grass areas and activities such as nightly aerobics (to Thai pop music) and feeding bread crumbs to the fish. For the more active, it's also popular for jogging around the outside of the lake.

• Phu Foi Lom Eco-Park (40 km southwest of Udon). Numerous trails and rainy season waterfalls. South of Udon is a large wetlands area/lake called Khumpahawapi. In Oct, traditional dragon boat races are held on the lake. Within Khumpahawapi is a city park with a large troupe of monkeys that have been living there for over a hundred years.

• Phu Phrabat National Park (60 km northwest of Udon near the Ban Phue). A marvelous ridgeline with numerous sandstone edifices several thousand years old. Bronze age cave paintings are also within the park.

• Udon Sunshine Orchid Farm. Famous for a variety of orchids, orchid-derived perfumes, and plants that "dance to music".

Buy

• Central Plaza. Formerly Chareonsri, is Udon Thani's largest indoor shopping mall, featuring 5 floors of shopping, including a Robinson's Department Store, Tops Supermarket, Sizzler Steakhouse, KFC, Pizza Company, Swensen's Ice Cream, Boot's Pharmacy, IT products, mobile phones, cineplex.

• Night Market (just west of the train station.). 17:00-.
• UD Town (just south of the train station). Mall with a food court, Tesco Lotus store, 3 different Oishi restaurants, McDonald's, Swensen's Ice Cream, Pizza Company, WaWee Coffee and numerous retail businesses

Eat

Street vendors abound throughout the city. Satay, noodle soup (beef, pork, chicken, and duck are common), pad Thai, som tam, grilled chicken, meat on a stick, various sweets, and rice dishes are available at nearly all times. Udon Thani has a large range of buffet restaurants including Korean-style cook it yourself BBQ in a raised dish over a charcoal burner in the centre of your table.

Drink

Udon Thani has a variety of karaoke bars, beer bars and Western bars. The area between Central Plaza and the railway station houses some of these.

Sleep

There are many hotels in town. Prices vary, and as with most things, you get what you pay for. Rates can range from 200 to 2,000 baht or more per night. Apartment rentals from 1,800 baht/month. Private pool villas can be rented for catered stays of two nights or more.

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	less than 500 baht
Mid-range	500-1,500 baht
Splurge	over 1,500 baht

Budget

• Karin Hotel (Watthananuwong Rd mid-town between Nong Prajak and Robinson/train station.). Somewhat aging, but cheap and convenient location. 460-800 baht.

• Phimonrat Mansion, Phimonrat Mansion 38/9 Moo 5 Robmuang Rd (crossing of Mittraphap, Nong Bua Rd. 100 m east of Nong Bua Rd), ☎ +66 42 243389. Rooms with air con, TV and fridge, Wi-Fi in and outside. Thai food & drinks are available (30-200 baht) and laundry on-site. Staff speaks little English but good Japanese. Thai owner visited Europe extensively. 350 baht.

• Ruysuk Mansion Hotel, 249/1 Adunyadet Rd (phone=). Popular inexpensive hotel for long and short stay with English speaking management. Discount for long stays. Wi-Fi available. Air-conditioned rooms. From 300 baht.

• Top Mansion, 35/3 Sampantamit Rd (200 m from Central Plaza shopping mall), ☎ +66 42 345015, e-mail: topmansion@yahoo.com. Convenient for bus and train stations, night market, UD Town Shopping Centre, and Paolo Memorial Hospital. On the street with foreigner-oriented bars and pubs. 450 baht.

Mid-range

• Centara Hotel & Convention Centre (next to the main shopping centre). Formerly the Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel. The main hotel used by foreigners. From 1,300 baht.

• Charoen Hotel, 549 Phosri Rd (a few hundred metres to the southwest of the central bus station). 250 standard rooms, 3 superior rooms, and 2 suites, on a 10 acre area surrounded by garden and beautifully landscaped with swimming pools. From 950 baht.

• Nuntiya Terrace, 549 Prachasanti Rd (city centre), ☎ 66 42 321282. Central, clean, TV, air-con, Wi-Fi, parking lot. Daily rate and monthly rates are available.

• The Pannarai Hotel (เดอะพรรณรายโฮเต็ล), 19/8 Sampantamit Rd (300 m from Central Plaza shopping mall), ☎ +66 88 0576875, +66 42 345111, +66 42 344999, e-mail: thepannaraiud@hotmail.com. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Beautiful city view with private swimming pool and restaurant. 2 meeting rooms and private car park. 5 minutes walk to bus and train stations. Located in the middle of Udon Thani, next to night market, UD Town Shopping Centre, and Paolo Memorial Hospital. 1,280+ baht including breakfast.

• Silver Reef Bed & Breakfast, 338/8 Prajack Rd (5 min walk to Robinson Shopping), ☎ 66 42 344081. Central, close to the bus station and Robinson complex. New, rooms have 29-inch TVs, air-con, Wi-Fi. Cheerful theme with cartoon characters. Canadian management. 500+ baht.

• Udon Airport Hotel, 14 Moo 1, Udon-Nongbua Lampoo Rd (500 m from airport), ☎ +66 42 346223-4, +66 42 346513-4, fax: +66 42 346514, e-mail: udonairport.hotel@gmail.com. On a 7 acre area surrounded by garden and beautiful landscape. 115 standard rooms, 3 superior rooms, and 2 suites. Standard rooms are air-con with mini bar, radio, colour TV and Internet access. From 800 baht including breakfast..

Splurge

• Gecko Villa (free transfers provided from Udon Thani). Check-in: flexible, check-out: flexible. Set in the countryside out of Udon Thani, has a swimming pool and offers fully serviced stays with freshly prepared Thai food at no additional cost. Sleeps 2-6. 6,800 baht.

• Green Gecko (free transfers provided from Udon Thani). Check-in: flexible, check-out: flexible. A traditionally styled Thai house, has a swimming pool and offers fully catered and serviced holidays. Sleeps 2-4. 7,900 baht.

• Rice Paddy Villa (25 minutes from Udon Thani, from where complimentary transfers are offered). Check-in: flexible, check-out: flexible. Looking directly over the surrounding rice fields, has a swimming pool and sleeps 2-4 guests. Finished in Thai style with modern conveniences. 10,000 baht, fully catered.

• TaNiTa (Lagoon) Resort, 113 Baan Nong Huaw Mue (2 km from airport), ☎ +66 81 8846334, e-mail: tanita_resort@yahoo.com. 9 standard rooms in big area surrounded by nice lagoon and beautiful garden.

Go next

• Nong Khai (หนองคาย) is well worth a visit. To get there, take a tuk-tuk to the Nong Khai bus station towards the north of town. Should cost about 50 baht from the centre. Ask for "sa tar knee rot may Nong Khai" (this is a better transliteration than what they normally give you)

• Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is about one and a half hours away across the Mekong. Express air conditioned buses leave the Udon Central bus station six times daily for Vientiane. Bus fare one way is 80 baht. A visa on arrival for Laos at the Friendship Bridge costs US$35 for 30 days (two passport photos are required or there is an additional US$1 charge).

Routes through Udon Thani

Nong Khai ←	N  S	→ Khon Kaen → Nakhon Ratchasima
Nong Khai ←	N  S	→ Khon Kaen → Saraburi