Udon Thani, Thailand
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
