Udon Thani

Travel guide

Sprawling Udon Thani province acts as the industrial, commercial and transportation hub for the entirety of Thailand's northeast region. It's a big sprawling city with not all that much appeal for independent travellers.

Much of this development originally stemmed from when it housed a US air-base during the Vietnam war, though there's little evidence of the US military presence anymore -- aside from the airport which, while mainly taking domestic flights, does operate some international flights as well.

Situated on an elevated plateau, Udon Thani gradually flattens out towards northern Nong Khai province and in the hot season the province is a bit of an arid dusty wasteland. The closest you get to Nong Khai, the better the climate gets.

Industry aside, Udon Thani province holds some archaeological importance, with the Ban Chiang dig uncovering pottery dating back over 5,000 years.

Udon Thani is also known among Thais for producing fragrant Udon Sunshine perfume, made from an orchid of the same name -- orchids which bizarrely react to music.

Book online

TaNiTa (Lagoon) Resort
113 Baan Nong Huaw Mue, Nadee Muang,
From: US$18.58 with HostelWorld

Siri Grand Hotel
Udon Thani
From: US$19.00 with Sawasdee

Charoen Hotel
Udorn Thani
From: US$29.00 with Sawasdee

Ban Chiang Hotel
Udorn Thani
From: US$32.00 with Sawasdee

Napalai Hotel
Udorn Thani
From: US$34.00 with Sawasdee

Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel
Udorn Thani
From: US$34.00 with Sawasdee

Centara Hotel + Convention Centre Udon Thani
Udorn Thani
From: US$35.00 with Sawasdee

Gecko Villa
Baan Um Jaan, A. Prajak Sinlapakom
From: US$58.06 with HostelWorld

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Fresh off our Asia travel forum

Here are some discussions off the Travelfish forum, perhaps related to Udon Thani. You can find the full forum here.

Udon Thani reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

About the best base in Isaan
By tfkhang (dabbler - 3 reviews)
Written on 6th November, 2009 after a visit to Udon Thani in December, 2006
It's a convenient base for exploring the Isaan area because of its high connectivity to neighbouring cities, including Vientiane. Although much of it looks like your typical Thai city, I met some kind-hearted people here (a family who sent me home from Ban Chiang; a young man from a noodle shop who sent me to the bus terminal on his bike). The city lake is good for a walk, and there are cheap massage around that area (less than 150 Baht per hour). If you happen to come in the first week of December, there's a local fair in the field in front of the city pillar. It seems that folks from the surrounding villages turn up in full force so there's a carnival feel to the city.

And oh, don't forget to check out the dancing flowers. The farm is not far from the city.

Sights & activities   History & culture   Scenery & environment   Eat & drink

Traveller's scene   Romance   Value for money   I'll be back (or not)

Also reviewed by tfkhang: Prachuap Khiri Khan, Trang,

Udon Thani is a good little party town
By MADMAC (dabbler - 8 reviews)
Written on 10th June, 2009 after a visit to Udon Thani in July, 2007
I liked Udon Thani. It has some vibrant nightlife and a fair number of decent non-Thai restaurants (which are not common in Isaan). The Irish Clock serves some pretty good English fare (and I'm not even English). It's located a short walk from the bus station. Udon's nightlife is pretty good, with a smattering of clubs, gogo bars, Karaoke places and just regular pubs. I've only spent a couple of days there, so I am sure I am missing plenty, but because the expat scene there is fairly large, there are more things there catering to that taste -- which come in handy when you haven't had them in a while.

Sights & activities   History & culture   Scenery & environment   Eat & drink

Traveller's scene   Romance   Value for money   I'll be back (or not)

Also reviewed by MADMAC: Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Savannakhet, That Phanom, Yasothon,

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