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.
Although the eponymous provincial capital (also known as Udorn) is not overflowing with things to see, it serves as a handy base from which to visit some of the surrounding sites, such as the Ban Chiang Museum and the large Phu Phra Bat National Park.
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Accommodation: Udon Thani
Ban Chiang Hotel |
Chaiyaporn Hotel |
Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel |
Charoensri Palace Hotel |
King's Hotel |
The City Lodge |
Udon Hotel |
Accommodation: Outside Udon Thani
Gecko Villa |
Text and/or map last updated on 30th September, 2009.
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The above are all within 200km of Udon Thani.
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Book Online
Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Udon Thani Hotel
Prajaksillapakhom Road, MuangFrom: US$46.00 with Agoda
Gecko Villa
Baan Um Jaan, A. Prajak SinlapakomFrom: US$68.91 with HostelWorld
Home Stay Stc Bed & Breakfast
207/Moo 11,Udon-Nong Bua Road, Ban Si Bun Luang, Ban Taad, Ampur MuangFrom: US$20.00 with Agoda
Napalai Hotel
572 Moo 5,Pracharaksa RoadFrom: US$36.00 with Agoda
Prajaktra Design Hotel
80/4 M.11 T. Maakkaeng A. Muang UdonthaniFrom: US$26.42 with HostelWorld
Prajaktra Design Hotel
111 Moo 11, Supakitjanya road, T. Mak Kang, MuangFrom: US$57.00 with Agoda
TaNiTa (Lagoon) Resort
113 Baan Nong Huaw Mue, Nadee Muang,From: US$20.67 with HostelWorld
Tanita Resort
113 Baan Nong Huaw Mue, NadeeFrom: US$40.00 with Agoda
Thomas Udon Thai House Resort & Hotel
119/10 Moo 2, Nong BuaFrom: US$23.00 with Agoda







Udon Thani reviews
Backchat from the Travelfish community
About the best base in Isaan
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.
By tfkhang (dabbler)
Written on 6th November, 2009 after a visit to Udon Thani in December, 2006
Also reviewed by tfkhang: Prachuap Khiri Khan, Trang,
Udon Thani is a good little party town
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.
By MADMAC (dabbler)
Written on 10th June, 2009 after a visit to Udon Thani in July, 2007
Also reviewed by MADMAC: Chaiyaphum, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Savannakhet, That Phanom, Yasothon,