Ubon Ratchathani

Introduction

Ubon Ratchathani is best known as the gateway between Thailand and southern Laos due to the nearby border crossing at Chong Mek. There are some nice restaurants in this quiet city, although much of the accommodation leaves a little to be desired. You'll often be richly rewarded by aimlessly exploring the city.

Sights and Activities

• Ubon National Museum
• Thung Si Meuang Park - just north of the museum.
• Ubon Cultural Centre
• Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram - houses the 7cm tall Topaz Buddha (or Phra Kaew Busarakham).
• Wat Thung Si Meuang - here you'll find a stilted library sitting in the middle of a pond!
• Wat Jaeng - contains a charming chapel.
• Wat Phra That Nong Bua - very similar to the Mahabodhi stupa in Bodhgaya, India.
• Wat Ban Na Muang.
• Wat Pa Nanachat - worth visiting simply for the English-speaking monks who can answer all your questions about Buddhism.
• Many small night markets.

Events and Festivals

• Candle Parade - July - Outside Thung Si Meuang Park.
• Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai) - 2nd weekend of May - Yasothon, 100km northwest of Ubon Ratchathani.

Getting There

By Plane

• Thai Airways has 3 flights daily to/from Bangkok.
• Air Asi has 1 flight daily to/from Bangkok.

By Train

Frequent sleeper trains to and from Bangkok.

By Car

By Bus

Frequent day buses to and from Mukdahan and VIP night buses to/from Bangkok.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

• Boon Ni Yon Uthayan - BL - Vegetarian buffet.
• Kai Yang Wat Jaeng - L - Isan.
• Khrua Ruen Pae - LD - Floating restaurant.
• U-Bake - LD.

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet Pirch - 10B/hour - 09.00-23.00.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

Post Office - Th Si Narong - MON-FRI 08.30-16.30 - SAT-SUN 09.00-12.00.
Thailand Post is the Thai postal service that deals with all local and international mail in Thailand. The business is operated from local post offices. Post offices are easy to recognise with their red white and blue motifs and the words 'Thailand Post' in English and Thai above the entrance. They are open from Monday to Saturday, usually 8:30am to 4:30pm (main ones until around 8:00pm), though keeping shorter hours on Saturdays (usually until 1:00pm). They are generally closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Each post office offers a comprehensive service which includes an Express Mail Service (EMS) and parcel post. They also have a price calculator for letters, postcards and parcels, both domestically as well as internationally. They also have a track and trace system and money transfer services.