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Introduction

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.

Borders

North	: Nong Khai Province
South	: Khon Kaen and Kalasin Province
East	: Skon Nakhon Province
West	: Loei and Nong Bua Lam Phu Province

The distances from Amphoe Muang to other Amphoes are as follow :

From Udon Thani City of nearby Provinces
Nong Bua Lam Phu Province	: 46 kms.
Nong Khai Province	: 51kms.
Khon Kaen Province	: 115 kms.
Loei Province	: 152 kms.
Sakon Nakhon Province	: 159 kms.
Kalasin Province	: 192 kms.

From Udon Thani City to other districts
Amphoe Ban Dung	: 84 kms.
Amphoe Ban Phue	: 55 kms.
Amphoe Chai Wan	: 62 kms.
Amphoe Ku Kaeo	: 61 kms.
Amphoe Kumphawapi	: 43 kms.
Amphoe Kut Chap	: 24 kms.
Amphoe Muang	: 0 kms.
Amphoe Nam Som	: 110 kms.
Amphoe Na Yung	: 129 kms.
Amphoe Nong Wua So	: 39 kms.


Amphoe Nong Han	: 35 kms.
Amphoe Non Sa-at	: 53 kms.
Amphoe Nong Saeng	: 35 kms.
Amphoe Phibun Rak	: 50 kms.
Amphoe Phen	: 43 kms.
Amphoe Prachaksinlapakhom	: 36 kms.
Amphoe Sang Khom	: 68 kms.
Amphoe Si That	: 72 kms.
Amphoe Thung Fon	: 65 kms.
Amphoe Wang Sam Mo	: 96 kms.

How to get 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-conditioned buses). Timetables

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. Timetables

By Air

A daily flight between Bangkok and Udon Thani is offered by the Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI). In addition, there are low-cost airlines daily serviced by Thai Air Asia, and Nok Air. Timetables

Travelling 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 bahts per kilometer.

Festivals & Events

Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok Worship Fair (งานนมัสการพระพุทธบาทบัวบก)

Date : March
This annual fair is held during the13^th – 15^th waxing moon days of the 3^rd lunar month with booths of goods and local products for sale.

Thung Si Mueang Udon Thani and Mi-khit Cloth Fair (งานทุ่งศรีเมืองอุดรธานีผ้าหมี่ขิต)

Date : December
This annual fair is held around December. There are booths of goods and local products, such as silk cloth, Khit-pattern woven cloth, hand – woven cloth, Mi-Khit cloth, and a golden dragon show from the Chaopu – Chaoya Chinese Spirit Shrine.

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Isan hotels and travel guide, Thailand. Hotel reservation for Khon Kaen and all north-easter regions of Thailand.