'''Ubon Ratchathani''' (???????????) is the capital of Ubon Ratchathani Province in the north-eastern Isaan region of Thailand. Often referred to as simply '''Ubon''' (????), it should not be confused with Udon to the north.

Understand

Ubon was founded on the northern bank of the Mun River by a group of Lao princes fleeing Vientiane in the late 1700s. They applied for King Taksin's protection, duly granted in 1779 along with the city's new name, meaning "Royal City of the Lotus". Modern-day Ubon was a U.S. air base during the Vietnam War and grew rapidly at the time, but little has happened since then. The town of Warin Chamrap, on the south bank of the river, is effectively a suburb of Ubon these days.

The sleepy Ubon office of the '''Tourist Authority of Thailand''' (264/1 Khuan Thani Road) is worth a visit to pick up useful English maps of the town and nearby provinces. Basic English spoken. Open daily 08:30-16:30.

Get in

By plane

The grandly named '''Ubon Ratchathani International Airport''' ({{IATA|UBP}}), ({{ICAO|VTUU}}) in reality serves only flights to Bangkok. Thai Airways has three daily non-stop flights between Bangkok and Ubon and return. Air Asia has one daily non-stop flight between Bangkok and Ubon and return. Flight time is 55 minutes in Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. Nok Air has two daily direct flight from Bangkok.

The airport is at the northern edge of the city almost within walking distance, but accommodation is scattered around Ubon, so better not to consider walking. Much better to go to one of the two limousine (taxi) counters that are located in the airport arrivals hall and purchase for only 100 baht a taxi coupon that will take you to almost any point in the city. Limousine (taxi) rates in Ubon are extremely cheap by Western standards and lower than those in Bangkok. Set prices have been established to most destinations in and around Ubon. A taxi from Ubon to Chong Mek costs only 1,000 baht for the 90km one way trip and a taxi from Ubon to Mukdahan costs only 1,900 baht to travel a one way distance of 192km. The driver does not charge for the return trip like some western countries. There are no taxi meters and the fare must normally be purchased at the Airport arrivals desk.

If you prefer not to take a fixed price taxi, you can always walk the 200 metres beyond the general airport parking area to haggle with the waiting tuk-tuk drivers, but chances are that your trip will end up costing you more.

By bus

Buses to Bangkok take 10 hours (due to stops) and arrive near the '''BTS station known as Mochit or Morchit Mai,''' in the north part of the city. The Nakhon Chai Air private bus company [http://www.nca.co.th/web/main.php] also has frequent, well-maintained buses that ply the route and also leave from the Ubon bus terminal, but arrive at their own private terminal in Bangkok, near the main Mochit terminal.

Ubon is less than 100 km from the Lao border at Chong Mek / Pakse. A regular bus service now operates direct from Ubon bus station (near the "Big C" shopping complex) to Pakse in Laos, and caters for travellers who wish to obtain a Lao visa on arrival (it waits for all passengers to complete immigration and visa formalities before continuing to Pakse). The fare is 200 baht.

By train

Daily trains connect with Bangkok and stop at all the southern Isaan provincial capitals (Si Saket, Surin, Buriram, and Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)). The station is to the south of the city on the opposite side of the Mun River in Warin Chamrap; buses 2 and 6 connect to the center.

One option is to catch the overnight night express train from Ubon (Warin Chamrap station)to Bangkok. Train departs at 6:30pm and arrives Bangkok at 5:30am. Travel first class in a two berth private sleeper compartment with fresh starched sheets and pillows for a little over 2,000 baht per couple. Travel is also available in 2nd class sleeper seats and 3rd class seats for a lower cost.

Get around

A bus/songthaew network with 13 fixed lines operates around the city. Most lines are numbered and colour-coded; pick up a map at the Ubon TAT office.

Alternatively, there are plenty of tuk-tuks puttering and samlors pedaling around. As always, agree on a fare before you get in, and expect to pay 20-40 baht depending on distance and your haggling skills.

See

Ubon is a little short on must-see sights, although there are a few mildly interesting temples.

Thung Si Muang Park

Located at the center of town in front of City Hall, this pleasant little park has several points of interest:

  • A bright yellow elaborately carved '''candle sculpture''', completed in 2000, standing 22 meters tall and dedicated to the King, showcases Isaan art styles and has become the symbol of the city. The candle is placed on a junk, with a ''garuda'' eagle at the bow and a ''naga'' serpent around it.
  • A statue of '''Phra Phatumvoraratsuriyawang''' commemorates the tersely named founder of the town.
  • A '''Monument of Merit''' has been erected by former World War II POWs to commemorate the kindness of the people of Ubon.
  • Temples

  • '''Wat Nong Bua''' (off Chanyangkun Rd, past the BKS station) is a highly unusual large white angular chedi, said to be a copy of the Mahabodhi stupa in Bodh Gaya, India. Quite stunning in appearance, but the decorations seem rather modern and with reason - the structure was built only in 1957 to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of Buddha's death.
  • ''''Wat Thung Si Muang'''' (Luang Rd) is primarily notable for its wooden scripture hall (''hor trai''), on stilts above a pond to stop ants and termites. The monastery itself was built in the reign of Rama III (1824-51) to house a replica of Buddha's footprint. The Ayutthaya-style bot is currently (2004) being repaired.
  • '''Wat Pah Nanachat''' (International Forest Monastery) is a famous forest meditation temple with more than 20 foreign/western monks from all over the world. If you come before 08:00 AM you can join in the morning meal, and maybe speak to a monk afterwards. You can take a red song-thaew (public shuttle bus/truck) from Warin Chamrab to Wat Pah Nanachat for about 10 baht.
  • '''Wat Nong Pah Pong''' is the forest monastery of the late venerable Ajahn Chah, one of the most famous meditation masters in Thailand in recent times. About 70 monks live here, and there is a small museum and a stupa (or chedi) with the relics of Ajahn Chah to visit. A few foreign monks live here, also.
  • Do

  • Ubon's biggest event is the '''Candle Festival''', held in early July on Khao Phansa day, which marks the beginning of the rainy season retreat. During three months, monks do not leave their temple, unless for an emergency, and lay people vow to abstain from taking alcohol as well as to refrain from any negative action. Huge wax candles are displayed in Thung Si Muang park, which are carried around town in a procession the next morning.
  • A less well known '''illuminated boat procession''' is also held in October to mark the end of the rainy season (Ok Phansa).
  • Learn

    Buddhist meditation

    '''Wat Pah Nanachat (WPN) The International Forest Monastery''', Ban Bung Wai, Amper Warin (12 km from Ubon Ratchathani). [http://www.watpahnanachat.org/]. Established in 1975 by the late Ajahn Chah, the monastery offers full training courses in English. Full board and lodgings are available, though prior notice is required. Write to ''The Guest Monk, Wat Pah Nanachat, Bahn Bung Wai, Warin Chamrab, Ubon Rachathani 34310''.

    Buy

  • '''D-Block''' (''Formerly Thean Chai'') for gardening product made by hand from Isan and concreat product for construction.
  • Eat & Drink

  • '''Muen Thip''' (''Phichit Rangsan Rd, east of intersection with Thepyothi'') is a very popular two-storey place specializing in a Thai interpretation of Korean barbecue (''neua yang Kaolee''), grilled at your own table and dipped in fiery sauces. A plate of your meat of choice and a large tray of veggies, plenty for two, will set you back 90 baht. English menu available, not that you really need it.
  • '''Miss Aree Coffee''' (''Opposite Ubon University'') serve you fresh brew coffee.
  • '''Peppers Bakery & Cafe''' (''297/2-3 Uppalisan Road'') (''opposite the entrance to the airforce base'') Peppers Bakery & Cafe has great coffee, as good as you can get at home along with a great range of fresh bread, cakes and pies. A Thai and Western menu with an all day breakfast is also available. Open from 7am. A very convenient place to stop on your way to or from the airport. Ph 045 264 599.
  • Sleep

  • '''Ubon Buri''' between Muang Ubon amd Warin Chamrab. Resort hotel by a lake in the town skirt. From 1000 baht.
  • '''Nevada''' in midtowm. it has a Starbuck right in front of the hotel, has a cinema complex within its area. it is walkable to Tesco and Robinson (the town biggest department store). From 1000 baht.
  • '''Torsang Ubon''' Same owner as Tohsang Khongjian Resort. From 1000 baht.
  • '''Sri Isan Hotel''' Ratchaboot Road, tel. ''+66''-45261011 [http://www.Sriisanhotel.com] Boutique hotel across from the open-air market, beside the Moon River. Within walking distance of Ubon Ratchathani Museum and Tung Sri Muang Park. From 550 baht.
  • '''Laithong Hotel''' Phichit Rangsan Road, tel. ''+66''-45264271 - advertises itself with the tagline "In Ubon, Luxury Equals the Laithong Hotel" - which is probably true, if only for lack of competition. A little faded in decor, but kept in reasonably good shape, and features a pool, restaurant, nightclub and karaoke bar. From 1400 baht.
  • '''Tohsang Khongjian Resort''' 66 Moo 7, Baan Huay-Mak Tai, Khongjiam (''over an hour away from the city''); tel. ''+66''-45351174 [http://www.tohsang.com] A classy resort on the banks of the Mekong River near the Lao border. From 2000 baht.
  • '''The Ratchathani Hotel''', 297 Khianthani Road, tel.045-244388-90 [http://www.ratchathanihotel.com] - boutique hotel with restaurant. Rooms from 650 baht.
  • '''Tokyo Hotel''', 178 Uparat Road, tel.: 045-241739, old and new wing, 350-500 baht/room.
  • Contact

    Get out

  • Preah Vihear (''Prasat Khao Phra Wihaan'' in Thai) - Khmer temple accessible as a day trip from neighbouring Sisaket Province
  • Cambodia
  • Laos