Udon Thani

Udon Thani (อุดรธานี, also Udorn Thanee) is a city of 131,000 people (2019) in the Isaan region of Thailand. Often referred to as Udon or Udorn (อุดร), the city should not be confused with Ubon — Ubon Ratchathani in southeastern Isaan.

Understand
Founded in the 1890s 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.

The airbase closed in 1976, there was a U.S. consulate until 1995, and there is still a Voice of America radio station. Because of this American presence, many Thais were well-paid and learned English, making them more marketable to foreign labour recruiters. A lot of Udon citizens 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.

Climate
Winters are fairly dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is hot with the average daily maximum at 36.2 °C (97.2 °F). The monsoon season runs from late-April through early-October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.

By plane

 * Udon Thani terminal,Thailand (27412478245).jpg

To get to the city there is a limousine service (actually a minibus) for 80 baht/person that will drop you and other passengers at the location of your choice. Minibus tickets are available in the booth just to the right as you leave the terminal building. If there are more than two of you, it may be cheaper to call a taxi or to use Grab ride-hailing service, which (as of January 2019) costs 160 baht to/from central Udon. Taxis are not permitted to wait for passengers at the airport, but some do it anyway, asking 200-400 baht for the 4 km journey. Some hotels have pickup services and may take an extra passenger or two if space permits. Some long distance buses to Khon Kaen were seen in the airport, with numerous people boarding them. No local Udon Thani songthaews have been seen near the airport.

If you are travelling on to Nong Khai, there is a bureau straight ahead of you when you get to the arrivals hall which sells minivan tickets to Nong Khai. They have a minibus which meets most flights and for 200 baht they will load you into a minivan. It takes one hour to reach Nong Khai and if you ask the driver he will take you to your hotel, or drop you off at the Thai side of the Friendship Bridge. You can then proceed into Laos.

By bus
There are four bus stations in the city:


 * Phetprasert runs one overnight bus per day between Chiang Mai to Udon (and onto Nakhon Phanom). Buy Phetprasert tickets in the city centre bus station, a 5-minute walk from the shopping mall.
 * Phetprasert runs one overnight bus per day between Chiang Mai to Udon (and onto Nakhon Phanom). Buy Phetprasert tickets in the city centre bus station, a 5-minute walk from the shopping mall.
 * Phetprasert runs one overnight bus per day between Chiang Mai to Udon (and onto Nakhon Phanom). Buy Phetprasert tickets in the city centre bus station, a 5-minute walk from the shopping mall.
 * Phetprasert runs one overnight bus per day between Chiang Mai to Udon (and onto Nakhon Phanom). Buy Phetprasert tickets in the city centre bus station, a 5-minute walk from the shopping mall.
 * Phetprasert runs one overnight bus per day between Chiang Mai to Udon (and onto Nakhon Phanom). Buy Phetprasert tickets in the city centre bus station, a 5-minute walk from the shopping mall.
 * Phetprasert runs one overnight bus per day between Chiang Mai to Udon (and onto Nakhon Phanom). Buy Phetprasert tickets in the city centre bus station, a 5-minute walk from the shopping mall.
 * Phetprasert runs one overnight bus per day between Chiang Mai to Udon (and onto Nakhon Phanom). Buy Phetprasert tickets in the city centre bus station, a 5-minute walk from the shopping mall.

By train
Daily trains go to Nong Khai (45 min for a bargain 11 baht) 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 hr 25 min, 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. Grab ride-hailing service works in Udon as well, though prices start from 60 baht even for a shortest ride, and increase pretty quickly afterwards.

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 for your journey before you get in. 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 also see such vehicles (called "jumbos") there. Tuk-tuks prowl the streets on the lookout for tourists. Apart from long journeys the price should be around 30-50 baht. If you get into the bus station early in the morning and need a guest house they may pretend they can't speak English, drive you around in a small circle "looking" for guesthouses before dropping you around the corner from the station; however, some may not speak English and are just trying to be helpful. They will then ask for 100 baht for a 30-baht journey. There is plenty of accommodation within walking distance of the station.

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 can also be rented by the day from Asia Backpackers and SPM House.

By motorbike or car
Motorbike rentals are readily available at many locations in Udon Thani, however the most well known and trusted motorbike rental business in Udon Thani is "Jenny's Motorbike Rental". You can find them on Facebook or at their website www.JennysMotorbikeRental.com

If you wish to travel with a little more comfort, it is recommended to rent a car. The most well-established local car rental in Udon Thani is UD Car Rent, and you will find most major international car hire companies at Udon Thani Airport.

See
Due to poor public transportation in Udon Thani, the only mean of transportation for tourist to get to these tourist attractions is by Car rentals or Taxi service.

Buy
On the east-side ring road is the Bo Bei Clothing Market. Within the city itself are numerous 7-Elevens as well as many mini-marts with Western snacks and goods.



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. "Farang bars" tend to be concentrated in the area between Central Plaza and the railway station. Bars close sharply at midnight as the police are strict. Police set up roadblocks at the hour to look for drunk drivers. If you are driving a motorbike and over the limit it will cost you a night in a very uncomfortable Thai jail, most of the next day, and 3,000 baht.



Sleep
There are many hotels in town. Prices vary, and as with most things, you get what you pay for. Rates 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.

Budget

 * King’s Hotel (โรงแรมคิงส์). (Coordinates: 17.40905, 102.78499). No fan rooms, only AC - 320 baht (Feb 2023).
 * Krung Thong Hotel (โรงแรมกรุงทอง). (Coordinates: 17.4078, 102.7878). "Single" fan room 190 baht, "single" fan room with TV 250 baht, "single" AC room with TV 350 baht, "double" fan room with TV 270 baht, "double" AC room with TV 350 baht (Feb 2023).
 * Phet House Hostel. (Coordinates: 17.40339, 102.80148). Near the Bus Station 1, Fan room 250 B, AC room 350 B. (Feb 2023)
 * Rich Hotel (โรงแรมริช). (Coordinates: 17.4060, 102.8076). Old building. Clean bedsheets and pillows, blankets not. Noisy roosters on the northern side. One bed (1-2 people) fan room 190 baht, two beds (2-3 people) fan room 240 baht, one bed (1-2 people) AC room 290 baht, two beds (2-3 people) AC room 350 baht (Feb 2023).
 * Phet House Hostel. (Coordinates: 17.40339, 102.80148). Near the Bus Station 1, Fan room 250 B, AC room 350 B. (Feb 2023)
 * Rich Hotel (โรงแรมริช). (Coordinates: 17.4060, 102.8076). Old building. Clean bedsheets and pillows, blankets not. Noisy roosters on the northern side. One bed (1-2 people) fan room 190 baht, two beds (2-3 people) fan room 240 baht, one bed (1-2 people) AC room 290 baht, two beds (2-3 people) AC room 350 baht (Feb 2023).
 * Rich Hotel (โรงแรมริช). (Coordinates: 17.4060, 102.8076). Old building. Clean bedsheets and pillows, blankets not. Noisy roosters on the northern side. One bed (1-2 people) fan room 190 baht, two beds (2-3 people) fan room 240 baht, one bed (1-2 people) AC room 290 baht, two beds (2-3 people) AC room 350 baht (Feb 2023).
 * Rich Hotel (โรงแรมริช). (Coordinates: 17.4060, 102.8076). Old building. Clean bedsheets and pillows, blankets not. Noisy roosters on the northern side. One bed (1-2 people) fan room 190 baht, two beds (2-3 people) fan room 240 baht, one bed (1-2 people) AC room 290 baht, two beds (2-3 people) AC room 350 baht (Feb 2023).

Go next

 * Nong Khai is a very pleasant riverside town near the border with Laos. The Friendship Bridge is located here and this is the main overland border crossing into Laos on the way to Vientiane. Many travellers pass through Nong Khai on their way in and out of Laos without realising that this a worthy travel destination in its own right.
 * Khon Kaen another similar city on the train line heading south. Buses leave frequently and take 1½ hours, trains take longer.
 * 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 about US$35 for 30 days (two passport photos are required or there is an additional US$1 charge).