Udon Thani Thailand, Udon Thani Map, Udon Thani Photos, Udon Thani Travel Information

The Vietnam War transformed the sleepy provincial city of Udon Thani into a booming support center for a nearby American airbase. And since the withdrawal of American troops in 1976, it has continued to grow as an industrial and commercial center within the region.

Located on an elevated plateau, the province is blessed with numerous forested hills and tributaries, but the Phu Pan mountain ranges and the Songkhram River are the province’s 2 main natural resources. The province’s main attraction is its archeological sites that date back over 5,000 years, particularly the one at Ban Chiang.

Located 564 kilometres from Bangkok, the province is a prime business centre of I-San. It stands the world heritage site for the prehistoric culture of Ban Chiang. It covers an area of 11, 730 square kilometres and 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, Prachaksinlapakhom.

Geography:
Udon Thani is a northeastern province covering an area of 15,589 square kilometers. The provincial capital is 562 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. Udon Thani is probably best known for its archaeological wonders, paramount among them the hamlet of the Ban Chiang where the world's first Bronze Age civilization is believed to have flourished more than 5,000 years ago.

Nong Prachak located within the province, the lake is centered by an islet arranged as a public park with a great variety of trees and flowers. It is a popular place for recreation among the townspeople.

Na Kha Village 16 kilometers from the province on Udon Thani-Nong Khai route (the Highway 2), the village is famous for its hand woven cloth called "Khit" of which various types of products are made and also put on sale.

Udon Saeng Tawan (Sunshine) Orchid Garden located in Soi Kamol Watthana on Udon-Nong Samrong route, the garden produces and puts on sale a new species of Thai scented orchid called "Undon Sunshine".

Phra Phutthabat (Holy Footprint) Bua Bok enshrined at the foot of the Khao (Mount) Phu Phan ten Kilometers west of Amphoe Ban Phu, which is itself some fifty kilometers from Udon proper, is greatly revered by the people. Celebrations are held from March 11 to 15 each year to pay respect to the 40-meter tall pagoda housing the Holy Footprint and a piece of Holy Relic.

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park covers the entire area of the Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok which is around 1,200 acres. Rocks of different sizes and shapes dot the beautiful landscape, with caves and caverns. Pre-historic paintings over cliff faces have been discovered, although many leave only the faintest of traces. Nature-loving trekkers may take a hike around the area, which takes around two hours.
Ban Chiang National Museum Located at Ban Chiang, Tambon Ban Chiang, Amphoe Nong Han, it comprises two parts.

The first part stores antiques. Inside the building, old artifacts, ancient Ban Chiang culture, tools and utensils that show ancient technology and surroundings, as well as earthenware pots from 4,000 to 7,500 years old, are displayed. The second part comprises an open museum in the compound of Wat Po Si Nai. The Fine Arts Department has retained the conditions of archaeological excavations to show how earthenware pots, and other items were buried along with the dead.

Ban Chiang National Museum is considered the first open museum in Thailand. As for the ''Ban Chiang'' earthenware pots, they are known world-wide because ''Ban Chiang" was the origin of a pre-historic civilization many years ago. Archaeologists believe the designs on Ban Chiang earthenware are the oldest pot designs in the world.

Travelling to Ban Chiang National Museum is very easy. It is only fifty-six kilometers from Amphoe Muang. The route runs along Highway 22 and turns left onto Highway 2225 at kilometer 50 there, a road sign indicates the way to Ban Chiang which is six kilometres away. The museum is open to the general public every day, expect Mondays and Tuesdays, from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. The admission fee is 20 baht. The museum has a parking area. Toilets and village shops are located nearby.

How to get there:
Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Udon Thani via Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen, a total distance of 564 kilometres.

Bus
Bangkok-Udon Thani buses depart from Bangkok’s Mochit 2 Bus Terminal every day. Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0-2936-2852-66 for more information.

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.

Train
Trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Udon Thani every day. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.

Air
Thai Airways has several daily flights connecting Bangkok with Udon Thani. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0-2280-0060, 0-2628-2000

Phuket Air provides daily flight services from Bangkok to Udon Thani. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel: 0-2679-8999

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