Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี) is a city in Isaan, Thailand, in a province of the same name. Often referred to as simply Ubon (อุบล), not to be confused with "Udon" to the north. Ubon lies 582 km from Bangkok and has Thailand's 13th largest city population.

Understand
Ubon was founded on the northern bank of the Mun River by a group of Lao princes fleeing Vientiane in the late 1700s. They applied for King Taksin's protection, duly granted in 1779 along with the city's new name, meaning "Royal City of the Lotus". Modern-day Ubon was a U.S. air base during the Vietnam War and grew rapidly at the time, but little has happened since then. The town of Warin Chamrap, on the south bank of the river, is effectively a suburb of Ubon these days.

The sleepy Ubon office of the Tourist Authority of Thailand (264/1 Khuan Thani Rd) is worth a visit to pick up useful English maps of the town and nearby provinces. Basic English spoken. Open daily 08:30-16:30.

By plane


The airport is at the northern edge of the city almost within walking distance, but accommodation is scattered around Ubon, so better not to consider walking. Much better to go to one of the two limousine (taxi) counters in the airport arrivals hall and purchase for 100 baht a taxi coupon that will take you to almost any point in the city. Limousine (taxi) rates in Ubon are extremely cheap by Western standards and lower than those in Bangkok. Set prices have been established to most destinations in and around Ubon. A taxi from Ubon to Chong Mek costs 1,000 baht for the 90-km, one way trip and a taxi from Ubon to Mukdahan costs 2,000-2,500 baht (depending on the vehicle type) to travel a one-way distance of 192 km. The driver does not charge for the return trip as in some Western countries. There are no taxi meters and the fare must normally be purchased from one of the two taxi counters at the airport arrivals desk.

If you prefer not to take a fixed price taxi, you can always walk the 200 m beyond the general airport parking area to haggle with the waiting tuk-tuk drivers, but chances are that your trip will end up costing you more.

By bus
Buses to Bangkok take 10 hours (due to stops) and most arrive near Mo Chit BTS station, with prices from about 450 baht and up. There are several different companies, offering morning and night buses, that all have ticket windows at the main Ubon bus terminal north of town. Some have routes and timetables posted on the windows in English, some don't (there might be English-speaking station staff there who can help you). The Nakhonchai Air private bus company has frequent, well-maintained buses that travel the route and also leave from the Ubon bus terminal, but arrive at their own private terminal in Bangkok, near the main Mo Chit terminal (about 500-900 baht depending on class).

Red songthaews leave directly from the Ubon bus terminal and go downtown for 10 baht. The truck stops at the yellow and white curb between the taxi stands and the exit to the parking lot, with the last departure at 19:00. Ubon is less than 100 km from the Lao border at Chong Mek/Pakse. A regular 'international' bus service now operates twice daily direct from Ubon bus station (near the "Big C" shopping complex) to Pakse in Laos, and caters for travelers who wish to obtain a Lao visa on arrival (it waits for all passengers to complete immigration and visa formalities before continuing to Pakse). The fare is 200 baht if purchasing tickets to Pakse at Ubon bus terminal. Agents selling tickets in Pakse charge 90,000 kip for the other direction (about 50% more), though this includes pickup from downtown Pakse. The price may be cheaper if you purchase directly at the bus station on Pakse's eastern outskirts.

By train
Daily trains connect with Bangkok and stop at all the southern Isaan provincial capitals (Si Saket, Surin, Buriram, and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)). The station is to the south of the city on the opposite side of the Mun River in Warin Chamrap. Buses 2 and 6 connect to the center.

Rail services are operated by State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Express and Special Express trains have first and second class sleeping and dining cars. First class sleeping cars are new, fully air-conditioned and consist exclusively of 2-berth-compartments. On Rapid trains, two classes ('2' and '3') are provided. '2' class is comfortable and modern, '3' class is extremely economical, but still acceptable. Check the State Railway of Thailand website (or Google Maps directions) for the current schedule. A third-class ticket to Bangkok costs 205 baht, and a second class seat is between 300 and 400 baht, and the journey takes 10-12 hours.

Get around


A bus/songthaew network with 13 fixed routes operates around the city. Most routes are numbered and colour-coded. Look for trucks with big numbers on the front. Many of the songthaews are also painted in the same color as their route is colored on the map. You can pick up a map at the Ubon TAT office. Rides cost 10 baht (December 2019).

Songthaew routes
There are plenty of tuk-tuks puttering and samlors pedaling around. As always, agree on a fare before you get in, and expect to pay 20-40 baht depending on distance and your haggling skills.

If you're feeling adventurous, try renting a motorbike or a car to get you to one of the many national parks in the province. Jay-Jay Car and Motorcycle Hire provide good, clean vehicles at competitive prices.

See

 * City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง) - At the southern corner of the field, the sacred pillar was built in 1972.
 * National Museum of Ubon Ratchathani (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ อุบลราชธานี) - The single-storey hip roofed building, built in 1918, once served as the city hall before it was handed to the Fine Arts Department. The museum has exhibitions on local geography, history of the city’s establishment, archaeological fine art objects, local handicrafts, and folk games.
 * The Golden Jubilee Art and Cultural Centre (ศูนย์ศิลปวัฒนธรรมกาญจนาภิเษก) - The seven-storey building in contemporary Isan architecture was built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the king's accession to the throne. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony on 11 December 2001.
 * Monument of Phra Pathum Worarat Suriyawong or Chao Kham Phong (อนุสาวรีย์พระปทุมวรราชสุริยวงศ์ หรือ เจ้าคำผง) Phra Pathum Worarat Suriyawong was the founder of Ubon Ratchathani during 1778-1795.
 * Sculpture of Somdet Phra Maha Wirawong or Tisso Uan (ปฏิมากรรมสมเด็จพระมหาวีรวงศ์ หรือ ติสโส อ้วน) A famous monk who was well versed in Sutra and Vipassana.
 * Sculpture of Harmony and Progress (ปฏิมากรรมร่วมใจก้าวไปข้างหน้า) - The sculpture represents the harmony of four countries: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
 * Kaeng Saphue (แก่งสะพือ) - The rapids in the Mun River. "Saphue" derives from the word "Samphuet" in the Suai ethnic language meaning "large serpent".
 * Chong Mek (ช่องเม็ก) - The permanent Thai-Lao border pass is from downtown Ubon Ratchathani. The pass is a land bridge to Champasak Province.
 * Maenam Song Si (แม่น้ำสองสี) - At the mouth of the Mun River, Ban Woen Buek. The Mun River runs into the Mekong, so we can see two rivers, in two different colours. "Song si" means 'two colours', blending together. The Mekong River is reddish brown, while the Mun River is bluish.
 * Pha Taem and Pha Kham (ผาแต้มและผาขาม) - The towering cliffs house groups of prehistorical paintings which date back 3,000-4,000 years. There are over 300 paintings in five categories including animals, geometrical motifs, rice farmers, hands, and "tum", or fish trap.
 * Namtok Thung Na Mueang (น้ำตกทุ่งนาเมือง) - The medium-sized waterfall cascades down a 25-metre cliff through flowerbeds which are in full bloom from October to December.
 * Phu Lon (ภูหล่น) - The mountain is in Tambon Song Yang, north of Amphoe Si Mueang Mai. It has a cave where monk Phra Achan Man Phurithatto practiced his Vipassana.
 * Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.
 * Maenam Song Si (แม่น้ำสองสี) - At the mouth of the Mun River, Ban Woen Buek. The Mun River runs into the Mekong, so we can see two rivers, in two different colours. "Song si" means 'two colours', blending together. The Mekong River is reddish brown, while the Mun River is bluish.
 * Pha Taem and Pha Kham (ผาแต้มและผาขาม) - The towering cliffs house groups of prehistorical paintings which date back 3,000-4,000 years. There are over 300 paintings in five categories including animals, geometrical motifs, rice farmers, hands, and "tum", or fish trap.
 * Namtok Thung Na Mueang (น้ำตกทุ่งนาเมือง) - The medium-sized waterfall cascades down a 25-metre cliff through flowerbeds which are in full bloom from October to December.
 * Phu Lon (ภูหล่น) - The mountain is in Tambon Song Yang, north of Amphoe Si Mueang Mai. It has a cave where monk Phra Achan Man Phurithatto practiced his Vipassana.
 * Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.
 * Phu Lon (ภูหล่น) - The mountain is in Tambon Song Yang, north of Amphoe Si Mueang Mai. It has a cave where monk Phra Achan Man Phurithatto practiced his Vipassana.
 * Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.
 * Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.

National parks




Temples



 * Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.
 * Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.
 * Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.
 * Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.



Go next

 * Sam Phan Bok, the "Grand Canyon of Thailand"
 * Preah Vihear (Prasat Khao Phra Wihaan in Thai) - Khmer temple once accessible as a day trip from neighboring Si Saket Province (which is closed from the Thailand side; it's possible to cross into Cambodia and go from there, but this will take considerably longer)
 * Cambodia
 * Laos - the nearest city is Pakse - while there are a couple of different ways to go, the most straightforward is a tour bus leaving the Ubon terminal at 09:30 and 15:00 everyday for 200 baht