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Udon Thani
General Information
Udon Thani, a northeastern province covering an area of 11,730 square kilometers, is a prime business center of I-San. Located 564 kilometers from Bangkok, it the world heritage site for the prehistoric culture of Ban Chiang.
Udon Thani is probably best known for its archaeological wonders, paramount among them the hamlet of Ban Chiang where the world's first Bronze Age civilization is believed to have flourished more than 5,000 years ago.
Udon Thani borders Nong Khai to the north, Khon Kaen to the south, Sakon Nakhon to the east and Nongbualamphu and Loei to the west. The province is located on a plateau which is approximately 187 metres above sea level. Most of its areas are covered with rice fields, forests and hills, with the Phu Pan mountain ranges and the Songkhram River are the provinces 2 main natural resources.
The locals are mainly engaged in agricultural activities, with particular rising in wholesale and retail trading activities. That is why Udon Thani is an agricultural market hub or neighboring provinces.
Udon Thani's provincial seal depicts God Wetsuwan, King of the giants and keeper of the Northern Heavenly Gate.
The Vietnam War transformed the sleepy provincial city of Udon Thani into a booming support center for a nearby American airbase. Since the withdrawal of American troops in 1976, it has continued to grow as an industrial and commercial center within the region.
Today, Udon Thani is the transportation and communications hub of the upper Northeast with several tourist destinations and facilities.
Administratively, Udon Thani is divided into the following districts: Muang, Kumphawapi, Nong Han, Phen, Ban Phue, Ban Dung, Si That, Nam Som, Nong Wua So, Kut Chap, Non Sa-at, Wang Sam Mo, Chai Wan, Nong Saeng, Sang Khom, Thung Fon, Na Yung, Phibun Rak, Ku Kaeo and, Prachaksinlapakhom.
Symbol
The provincial seal shows a Hindu mythological giant (yaksa in Thai yak), referring to Thao Kuwane (Vaisravana or Kubera), the god of the North.
The provincial tree is the Teng (Shorea obtusa), and the provincial flower is the Flame of the forest (Butea monosperma).
Getting there
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Udon Thani via Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen Provinces, a total distance of 564 kilometers.
By Bus
Buses for Udon leave Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) throughout the day from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The journey takes around 10 to 11 hours and the fare is 145 baht for regular buses (260 baht for air-conditionedbuses). Contact Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0-2936-2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th. for more information.
Buses leave the main bus terminal in Khorat every half hour during the day and arrive in Udon five hours later. The cost is 81 baht for regular buses (146 baht for air-conditioned buses).
There are buses running between Udon Thani and other provinces such as Nong Khai, Loei, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Ubon Ratchathani. The buses leave Udon Thani Bus Terminal every 40 minutes.
By Train
A train service between Bangkok and Udon Thani is available every day. For more details, contact the Travel Service Unit, State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Tel. 1690; 0 2220 4334; and 0 2220 4444, or visit www.railway.co.th.
By Air
A daily flight between Bangkok and Udon Thani is offered by the Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI). For detailed information, contact THAI, Tel. 1566; 0 2280 0060; 0 2282 0080; and 0 2628 2000, or visit www.thaiairways.com. In addition, there are low-cost airlines daily serviced by Thai Air Asia, Tel. 0 2515 9999 or www.airasia.com, and Nok Air, Tel. 1318 or www.nokair.co.th.
Traveling around Udon Thani
By Bus
A hassle free way to get around the city is by the city bus. The most useful city bus for visitors is the yellow bus No. 2, which plies a route from the No. 2 bus terminal, south along Suphakit Janya road and then east along Pho Si road past the Charoen Hotel. The No. 6 bus runs between the No. 2 bus terminal and Rangsina Market, while bus No. 23 runs between bus terminals Nos. 1 and 2. The fare for all city buses is 4 baht.
By Car
The car rental places opposite the Udon Hotel offers sedan, jeeps and vans for hire starting at around 1,200 baht.
By Sam lor
Sam lors drivers in Udon Thani practically doubled their rates overnight when 50 Americans arrived to work on the VOA station outside the town in 1990-91; apparently the engineers were throwing their dollars around with abandon. With a permanent contingent of VOA employees in the area, just about any farang (foreigner) who happens to pass through Udon Thani will have to deal with this two tier price system. Reasonable fares are 10 baht to 15 baht per kilometer.
Festivals
Thung Si Muang Festival
Thung Si Muang Festival is held around December every year to showcase and sell local products. The Dragon dancing can be witnessed during the festival.
Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok Worship Fair
Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok Worship Fair is held around December every year This annual fair is held during the13th – 15th waxing moon days of the 3rd lunar month with booths of goods and local products for sale. Many visitors from Udon Thani and nearby provinces come to join the fair.
Interesting Products
Ban Chiang Pottery
This ancient style pottery is made according to the findings of the Ban Chiang Archeological Site in Nong Han District, which is a World Heritage Site. Ban Kham Or, is Ban Chiang pottery sculpture center and one of several villages where handicrafts are made. It is located along the Udon Thani-Sakon Nakon Road. Ban Pu Lu is a pottery-painting place.
Hand-Woven Fabric
Na Kha Village, which is 16 kilometers from the province on Udon Thani-Nong Khai route (Highway 2), is famous for its hand woven cloth called "Khit" of which various types of products are made and sold.
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