Udon Thani is situated just one hours flight from Bangkok and about one hours drive from the capital of Laos. If you want to see the real Thailand then you really have to come here.
If you’re like me, taller than six foot and have blonde hair you will get noticed very quickly. ... Read review
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Advantages: Always given a warm welcome wherever you go Disadvantages: Take your mosquito repellent when going out of town
Udon Thani is situated just one hours flight from Bangkok and about one hours drive from the capital of Laos. If you want to see the real Thailand then you really have to come here.
If you’re like me, taller than six foot and have blonde hair you will get noticed very quickly. Most Thais who have lived and worked in Udon have only ever seen a “farang” on TV or at the local cinema.
Facilities here ... ...come across in Thailand. Udon itself does not really cater for the tourist, which in itself is not a bad thing. Here prices are much cheaper than in Bangkok with many bargains too be found.
Nightlife and entertainment usually centres at a purpose built complex called “HI-TEC”. This comprises of clubs and restaurants to suit all tastes. Although a little expensive even by Western standards, this was the place to be seen. ... more
Udon Thani is situated just one hours flight from Bangkok and about one hours drive from the capital of Laos. If you want to see the real Thailand then you really have to come here.
If you’re like me, taller than six foot and have blonde hair you will get noticed very quickly. Most Thais who have lived and worked in Udon have only ever seen a “farang” on TV or at the local cinema.
Facilities here are of a modern standard with a new shopping mall, fast-food restaurants, cinema (in Thai only), swimming pool and fine hotels.
The people here are the just about the friendliest people I’ve come across in Thailand. Udon itself does not really cater for the tourist, which in itself is not a bad thing. Here prices are much cheaper than in Bangkok with many bargains too be found.
Nightlife and entertainment usually centres at a purpose built complex called “HI-TEC”. This comprises of clubs and restaurants to suit all tastes. Although a little expensive even by Western standards, this was the place to be seen. Cheaper entertainment could be found at and around the centre of Udon, but be prepared to look and use those Tuktuks.
Surrounding areas are worth seeing with many temples dotted around the area. I would recommend a guide or go with a Thai friend to show you around some of the more remote villages, as it is very easy to lose your way and miss the best places.
Annually on the 16th June at the village of Kumphavapi (pronounced Kumpa-wabi) is the Rocket Festival. Local farmers, villagers and landowners get together dress up and make much merriment. As tradition has it, the idea that firing a rocket into the clouds will bring much needed rain to the rice fields. Most, if not all don’t really believe this, but use it as an excuse to get drunk and gamble. Much like Christmas in England I suppose!
Take your mosquito repellent and insect bite cream when going out of town. I lived on a farm which had no tap water. Had to make do with an outside toilet and shower using water from a well. There were litterally thousands of mosquitos. The first night I was there, it seemed like the whole village came to see me. Out came the Thai Whiskey and I did not notice until the next morning that I had been bitten about 50 times on my feet. Thai's think its funny as they are almost immune to them. Pointing at my feet they would say. "Cee daeng mak mak" ("Oh look at his very red feet") (ha ha- not!)
I would go again just to see the many people I’ve become friends with and to wish them all well. Also next time I would probably go to the capital of Laos aswell. It’s truly one of those places that will stay with me forever.
For my photos of Udon Thani: http://uk.geocities.com/thai2001uk/index4.htm
Advantages: location,pool,people,off the beaten path,views, experiences Disadvantages: not too much English spoken in the local area
...20 minutes out of Udon Thani.
Udon Thani itself is quite a modern Thai trading town, and did not really seem that attractive. However, once we had left the city we felt we had really found the true Siam from the past.
We did not want to stay in a hotel and found the website (http://www.geckovilla.com) on the recommendation of friends. We were picked up by the owners at UTH airport off our Nok Air flight (which again had been recommended - http://www.nokair.com) ... ...had rented ourselves an entire country house for our holiday, right in the middle of the Thai countryside and surrounded by rice paddies and woodlands. We really enjoyed having the privacy of our own pool and house, and the food that was prepard for us daily was delightful (and learning how to make it from the owner, a former cook, really pleased my wife!). Perhaps the best thing was being able to explore the nearby rural villages and experience ...
jrico 30.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Udon Thani (Thailand)
Advantages: Location, price, people Disadvantages: Not for familys (Not many attractions)
I love Udon Thani and I think you could too. Udon is a nice city just an hours drive from the border of Laos. You can catch a plane to Bangkok airport for a very resonable price and the Udon Airport is now international flying to Singapore. I felt very safe and welcomed on my visit to Udon. If you have a family it might not offer everything for them as in attractions but the international hotels will all have pools in which to have a nice swim. The ... ...some lovely villages nearby which are worth visiting. You can visit the night market and buy some great products for yourself or family and friends at great prices too. If you are male then there are some good bars to visit at night and enjoy a nice drink with a lovely lady. ...
westybrook 25.05.2007 (06.10.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Udon Thani (Thailand)
Value for Money
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Family Friendly
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most visitors come. The land journey through Thailand brings you via UdonThani to the border village of Nong Kai, site of the Friendship Bridge (Saphan Mittaphap Thai-Lao), a huge suspension bridge funded by the Australian government and built in 1992.
Hop into a minivan at the Nong Kai bus station and for the princely sum of 20 pence, allow yourself the no-brainer luxury of being herded through the immigration procedure ($35 US for a 28 day Laotian visa - don't forget your passport sized photos. Lots of other random taxes too - don't forget your small change) where the only hassles are bureaucratic. Once deposited on the opposite side, greeting you will be hordes of friendly tuk-tuk drivers eager to take you the forty minute ride into Vientiane for an extortionately high price! Haggle.
THE 20 KM RIDE from the bridge into Vientiane ...
Paiceyjohn 28.05.2002 (16.10.2002)
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