Udon Thani

Udon Thani (อุดรธานี, also Udorn Thanee) is a city 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.

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.

• Ban Chiang. 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. A village famous for selling hand woven silk and cotton garments. It is somewhat commercialised but a walk back from the road into the village can net some silk and cotton bargains.
• 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.
• Phu Foi Lom Eco-Park. 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 troop of monkeys that have been living there for over a hundred years.
• Phu Phrabat National Park. A marvelous ridge line with numerous sandstone edifices several thousand years old. Bronze age cave paintings are also within the park.
• Red Lotus Lake, Tambon Chiang Haeo, Kumphawapi District, +66 89 395 0871. Take a boat ride through a lake full of red flowers (they are red hardy water lilies) at the lake of Nong Han (หนองหาน). The bloom starts in October, but is best viewed from December to February during the morning. Bird watchers may also spot herons and other fowl. Boats and drivers are available for rent by the hour at the side of the lake, 300-500 baht. A suggested over night stay is the Ma Der Bua Hotel next to the lake. They also have a restaurant and provide a toilet for five baht.
• Udon Sunshine Orchid Farm. Famous for a variety of orchids, orchid-derived perfumes and plants that "dance to music". 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.

Ban Chiang. 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. A village famous for selling hand woven silk and cotton garments. It is somewhat commercialised but a walk back from the road into the village can net some silk and cotton bargains.

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.

Phu Foi Lom Eco-Park. 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 troop of monkeys that have been living there for over a hundred years.

Phu Phrabat National Park. A marvelous ridge line with numerous sandstone edifices several thousand years old. Bronze age cave paintings are also within the park.

Red Lotus Lake, Tambon Chiang Haeo, Kumphawapi District, +66 89 395 0871. Take a boat ride through a lake full of red flowers (they are red hardy water lilies) at the lake of Nong Han (หนองหาน). The bloom starts in October, but is best viewed from December to February during the morning. Bird watchers may also spot herons and other fowl. Boats and drivers are available for rent by the hour at the side of the lake, 300-500 baht. A suggested over night stay is the [[Udon Thani#Mid-range|Ma Der Bua Hotel]] next to the lake. They also have a restaurant and provide a toilet for five baht.

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

• Daytrip to Nong Khai. Catch a 45-minute train at either 08:34 or 11:42 to Nong Khai for 11 baht. Either catch train back at 13:03 or catch a mini bus back for 50 baht. Every 30 min from bus station. If you wish do rent a car and travel a little more comfortable, there many car rentals agencies available in Udon Thani, such as UD Car Rent, Avis, Budget.
• Major Cinema. Watch a film at Major Cinema in Central Plaza. Some movies in Thai and some in English so choose the appropriate showing.
• Nong Prajak Lake Park. Daily, 04:00-20:00. 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 grassy 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 or cycling (bike rentals available). Two paved pathways circle the lake: the inner one for cyclists, the outer one for those on foot. The circumference of the outer one is 3.3 km (2 mi). Most of the jogging path around the lake is ungated, but a portion is locked from 20:00-04:00.
• Your Fitness Udon Thani, 322/19 Prachaksilpakom Rd (between Bangkok Hospital and 7-Eleven, behind the shops, +66 42 932933, +66 95 6576161. M-F, 08:00-24:00; Sa-Su, 12:00-24:00. One of only a few gyms in Udon. Near Central Plaza and the railway station. Coordinates approximate.

Daytrip to Nong Khai. Catch a 45-minute train at either 08:34 or 11:42 to [[Nong Khai]] for 11 baht. Either catch train back at 13:03 or catch a mini bus back for 50 baht. Every 30 min from bus station. If you wish do rent a car and travel a little more comfortable, there many car rentals agencies available in Udon Thani, such as UD Car Rent, Avis, Budget.

Major Cinema. Watch a film at Major Cinema in Central Plaza. Some movies in Thai and some in English so choose the appropriate showing.

Nong Prajak Lake Park. Daily, 04:00-20:00. 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 grassy 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 or cycling (bike rentals available). Two paved pathways circle the lake: the inner one for cyclists, the outer one for those on foot. The circumference of the outer one is 3.3 km (2 mi). Most of the jogging path around the lake is ungated, but a portion is locked from 20:00-04:00.

Your Fitness Udon Thani, 322/19 Prachaksilpakom Rd (between Bangkok Hospital and 7-Eleven, behind the shops, +66 42 932933, +66 95 6576161. M-F, 08:00-24:00; Sa-Su, 12:00-24:00. One of only a few gyms in Udon. Near Central Plaza and the railway station. Coordinates approximate.

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.

• Big C. Daily, 09:00-24:00. Two locations. Hypermart, groceries, housewares, clothing.
• Central Plaza, 277/1-3 Prajaksillapakom Rd, +66 42 110 5555. M-F 09:30-21:00, Sa Su holidays 09:00-21:00. Udon Thani's largest indoor shopping mall, featuring five floors of shopping, including Asia Books, a Robinson's department store, Tops Supermarket, Sizzler steakhouse, KFC, Pizza Company, Swensen's Ice Cream, Boots pharmacy, IT products, mobile phones, cineplex.
• Landmark Plaza / TukCom. Shopping complex with SFC Cinema.
• Makro. Daily, 06:00-22:00. Cheap bulk purchases.
• Night Market. 17:00-22:30. Eat in and takeaway food.
• Tesco Lotus. Supermarket with lower prices than Tops Supermarket at Central Plaza. Several locations. The most central one is in UD Town (hours: 07:00-24:00). The one on the north ring road is a Tesco-Lotus Extra (hours:08:00-23:00).
• Tops market CentralPlaza, 277/3 Prachuksilpakom Rd, +66 42 249 207 x101. Western and Thai foodstuffs; salad bar; deli; bakery. M-F 11:00-21:00, Sa Su 10:00- 21:00.
• UD Town. Mall with a food court, Tesco Lotus store, three different Oishi restaurants, McDonald's, Swensen's Ice Cream, Pizza Company, WaWee Coffee and numerous retail businesses.

Big C. Daily, 09:00-24:00. Two locations. Hypermart, groceries, housewares, clothing.

Central Plaza, 277/1-3 Prajaksillapakom Rd, +66 42 110 5555. M-F 09:30-21:00, Sa Su holidays 09:00-21:00. Udon Thani's largest indoor shopping mall, featuring five floors of shopping, including Asia Books, a Robinson's department store, Tops Supermarket, Sizzler steakhouse, KFC, Pizza Company, Swensen's Ice Cream, Boots pharmacy, IT products, mobile phones, cineplex.

Landmark Plaza / TukCom. Shopping complex with SFC Cinema.

Makro. Daily, 06:00-22:00. Cheap bulk purchases.

Night Market. 17:00-22:30. Eat in and takeaway food.

Tesco Lotus. Supermarket with lower prices than Tops Supermarket at Central Plaza. Several locations. The most central one is in UD Town (hours: 07:00-24:00). The one on the north ring road is a Tesco-Lotus Extra (hours:08:00-23:00).

Tops market CentralPlaza, 277/3 Prachuksilpakom Rd, +66 42 249 207 x101. Western and Thai foodstuffs; salad bar; deli; bakery. M-F 11:00-21:00, Sa Su 10:00- 21:00.

UD Town. Mall with a food court, Tesco Lotus store, three different Oishi restaurants, McDonald's, Swensen's Ice Cream, Pizza Company, WaWee Coffee and numerous retail businesses.

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.

• Bongkotch Restaurant. Popular Thai restaurant with good food and low prices. From 40 baht.
• Fuzzy Ken's, 298/15 Sayoutis Road (opposite 7-Eleven on Sayoutis Rd; 1-min walk from central bus station 1 or Central Plaza; 10 min from railway station, +66 86 011 4627. M-Sa 08:00-late, closed Su. A wonderful hybrid: a restaurant serving Thai and Western food, a used bookshop, and a shop selling hard-to-find Western foodstuffs (Bovril, Marmite, Heinz beans, Vegemite, meat pies). A Brit, Ken is a terrific source of local info. Serves beer and wine. Good website. Free Wi-Fi. Huge breakfast, 145 baht (Aug 2017).
• The Good Corner Restaurant and Bar, Nutty Park, Prachak Rd (just around the corner from the "bar street"; across from UD Residence, +66 98 2065125. Daily 08:00-23:00; kitchen closes 22:00. Owned by a Danish lady, serves breakfast, pizza and Thai food. Great quality and decent prices.
• Maeyaa, 79-81 Rachapasadu Rd (ถ.ราชพัสดุ) (just S of Phosi Rd and W of Amphoe Rd, about 3 km from city centre. Terrific family restaurant, an Udon institution. Three floors, crowded with Thais at mealtimes. Extensive photo menu and have an English menu available. Thai and Western food, but best to stick with the Thai. Also known for their extensive ice cream selection including banana splits. Air conditioned.
• Diary Restaurant, 128/17 Ban Lao Rd., Soi 6 Udon Dutsadi, Udon Thani 41000 (opposite Gomen City Estates, +66 042-241-471. Tu-Su 10:00-21:00. International and Thai food, great quality & affordable prices. Serving Isaan food, Vegetarian food, Thai curries, Western breakfasts, Mexican & Italian food. Online ordering & delivery available.

Bongkotch Restaurant. Popular Thai restaurant with good food and low prices. From 40 baht.

Fuzzy Ken's, 298/15 Sayoutis Road (opposite 7-Eleven on Sayoutis Rd; 1-min walk from central bus station 1 or Central Plaza; 10 min from railway station, +66 86 011 4627. M-Sa 08:00-late, closed Su. A wonderful hybrid: a restaurant serving Thai and Western food, a used bookshop, and a shop selling hard-to-find Western foodstuffs (Bovril, Marmite, Heinz beans, Vegemite, meat pies). A Brit, Ken is a terrific source of local info. Serves beer and wine. Good website. Free Wi-Fi. Huge breakfast, 145 baht (Aug 2017).

The Good Corner Restaurant and Bar, Nutty Park, Prachak Rd (just around the corner from the "bar street"; across from UD Residence, +66 98 2065125. Daily 08:00-23:00; kitchen closes 22:00. Owned by a Danish lady, serves breakfast, pizza and Thai food. Great quality and decent prices.

Maeyaa, 79-81 Rachapasadu Rd (ถ.ราชพัสดุ) (just S of Phosi Rd and W of Amphoe Rd, about 3 km from city centre. Terrific family restaurant, an Udon institution. Three floors, crowded with Thais at mealtimes. Extensive photo menu and have an English menu available. Thai and Western food, but best to stick with the Thai. Also known for their extensive ice cream selection including banana splits. Air conditioned.

Diary Restaurant, 128/17 Ban Lao Rd., Soi 6 Udon Dutsadi, Udon Thani 41000 (opposite Gomen City Estates, +66 042-241-471. Tu-Su 10:00-21:00. International and Thai food, great quality & affordable prices. Serving Isaan food, Vegetarian food, Thai curries, Western breakfasts, Mexican & Italian food. Online ordering & delivery available.

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.

• Day and Night Bar Complex. 12:00-00:00. About 17 beer bars in this open air, but covered, bar complex.
• Nutty Park. L-shaped alley containing a dozen or more small bars popular with tourists and expats. Nutty Park contains what may be the best farang-oriented bar in Udon, the Good Shot Bar. It's clean and well lit, with nice hostesses and two pool tables. Serves Thai and Western food from two nearby restaurants.

Day and Night Bar Complex. 12:00-00:00. About 17 beer bars in this open air, but covered, bar complex.

Nutty Park. L-shaped alley containing a dozen or more small bars popular with tourists and expats. Nutty Park contains what may be the best farang-oriented bar in Udon, the Good Shot Bar. It's clean and well lit, with nice hostesses and two pool tables. Serves Thai and Western food from two nearby restaurants.

• Smarthub, 322/19 Prachaksilpakom Rd (near Central Plaza and the train station, between Bangkok Hospital and 7-Eleven, behind the shops, +66 42 224485, +66 87 373 2829. Daily 09:00-21:00. Work spaces, meeting rooms with audio-visual equipment, Internet, copier, fax, office support staff. Coordinates are approximate. 60 baht for 1 hr, 180 baht per day.

Smarthub, 322/19 Prachaksilpakom Rd (near Central Plaza and the train station, between Bangkok Hospital and 7-Eleven, behind the shops, +66 42 224485, +66 87 373 2829. Daily 09:00-21:00. Work spaces, meeting rooms with audio-visual equipment, Internet, copier, fax, office support staff. Coordinates are approximate. 60 baht for 1 hr, 180 baht per day.

• Wattra Dental Clinic, Sai Uthit Rd (Purple storefront across from 7-Eleven at Bus Station 1 downtown, 100 m from CentralPlaza, +66 42 343 057. M-Sa 09:00-19:30; Su 09:00-17:00. Competent, English-speaking dentists who work with up-to-date technologies. 800 baht to re-cement molar crown.

Wattra Dental Clinic, Sai Uthit Rd (Purple storefront across from 7-Eleven at Bus Station 1 downtown, 100 m from CentralPlaza, +66 42 343 057. M-Sa 09:00-19:30; Su 09:00-17:00. Competent, English-speaking dentists who work with up-to-date technologies. 800 baht to re-cement molar crown.

• 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).