Flag of Thailand

Phibun Mangsahan

Travel Guide

Hotel Deals of the Day
best price guarantee


The small town of Phibun Mangsahan marks the halfway point from Ubon Ratchathani to Khong Chiam and is certainly worth a stop, at least for a lunch break if not for the evening if you're really taking things slow.

Best known for the Kaeng Saphu rapids which lie about 600m south of where the bridge crosses the Moon River, these rapids are best seen between January and May as during the wet season the river rises, submerging the rapids.

In the dry season, when the rapids are working, they're an extremely popular place for the locals to come and cool off. You can even hire inner tubes to float down the river and over the rapids.

On the bank of the river there are hordes of open-air food places which throw mats down on the shaded grassy banks and ply you with excellent food and ice cold drinks.

Try the extremely spicy baby prawn salad or the slightly less spicy som tam. There are no English menus, but the locals are very friendly and will try to at least guess what you want -- just remind them to half the chilli dose.


Aside from stuffing yourself by the river, there's no reason whatsoever to stay here, so if you're passing through at the height of monsoon, we wouldn't give it much of a pause.



Text and/or map last updated on 20th August, 2009.

Jump to a different destination in Thailand

Get orientated with a map of Phibun Mangsahan, Thailand

Phibun Mangsahan reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

Have your say

Photo gallery

Photo for Phibun Mangsahan

Jump to a destination


Travelfish on Facebook

Onward travel

Thailand FAQ

Newsletter signup

Sign up for Travelfish Burp! — you won't regret it!