| Udon Thani, also known as simply Udon, is a | | | | western restaurants, along with some the best |
| province in the northeast of Thailand, close to the | | | | shopping, can be found in the Charoen Shopping |
| Laotian border and is the gateway to Laos via the | | | | Complex. There is also a good night bazaar near |
| Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. It's capital city is | | | | the railroad station. The shopping action at the |
| also named Udon Thani. Most Thais refer to it as | | | | night bazaar usually begins around 5:00pm and |
| Udon. | | | | finishes up around 10:30pm. |
| It was relative unknown to foreigners until the | | | | The Charoen Shopping Complex also houses most |
| Vietnam war, at which time the USA set up a | | | | of the nighttime entertainment venues, with bars, |
| military base. That base has since been turned | | | | karaokes, and English style pubs |
| over to Thailand, which was part of the deal | | | | This area is in the real Issan part of Issan. |
| when the USA was granted permission to set up | | | | Wherever you go, you can count on seeing one |
| the base. | | | | thing. Rice farms. Everywhere you look you'll see |
| Udon Thani itself is better known as a gateway | | | | rice farms. This is the major industry in this area |
| city rather than a major tourist destination. Many | | | | of Thailand and this is also the area at whioch |
| tourists pass through on their way to somewhere | | | | most of Thailand's famous sticky rice is grown. |
| else, such as Laos and Nong Khai during the time | | | | Sightseeing in and around the area includes: |
| of the Naga Fireballs. | | | | * Ban Chiang - This is widely considered to be the |
| The Naga Fireballs is a phenomenon that has to | | | | most important recent archeological discovery in |
| be seen to be believed. No one seems to know | | | | nearly all of Southeast Asia. The discoveries, |
| how this phenomenon occurs, but it is predictable. | | | | beginning in 1967, here date back to the Bronze |
| Along the banks of the Mekong River, when the | | | | Age and artifacts have been made here that date |
| moon rises, the phenomenon begins, with these | | | | back as far as 4400 BC. This is one of the finest |
| fireballs rising out of the river. Sometimes there | | | | museums in Thailand and is considered a must |
| are only a few. Sometimes there are thousands. | | | | when visiting Udon Thani. |
| This year, 2009, the phenomenon is expected to | | | | * Udon Thani Museum - This museum houses |
| occur the evening of Sunday, October 4. If you | | | | collections dating back to the founding of Udon |
| wish to experience the phenomenon you won't be | | | | Thani and includes an abundance of historical |
| alone. As many as 500,000 spectators are | | | | information. |
| expected. If you wish to go, if you don't already | | | | * Udon Sunshine Orchid Farm - This is one of |
| have hotel reservations, try to make them | | | | Thailand's finest collections of common and rare |
| immediately. Don't be too surprised if you cannot | | | | orchids. A stop here is a must if you are an |
| find any vacancies. Reservations are usually made | | | | orchid enthusiast and well worth a stop even if |
| months in advance. | | | | you are not. Some of the most beautiful flowers |
| Getting to this area is easy. Udon Thani has a | | | | you will ever see can be found here. |
| good passenger airport. There is also an | | | | * Phu Foi Lom - This is a major eco-tourism site, |
| abundance of bus services to Udon and is a 14 | | | | located in the Pa Phan Don-Pakho National Forest. |
| hour railroad train ride from Bangkok. Within the | | | | There are also several caves, waterfalls, rapids, |
| area there is plenty of public transportation. There | | | | and other historical sites to visit. |
| are motorcycle taxis, tuk-tuks, baht buses, and | | | | Local food products include the Chinese sausage |
| even bicycle rickshaws for short-distance rides. | | | | called kun chiang, moo yong, which is a pork floss, |
| You can also rent bicycles and pedal around the | | | | moo yo, which is steamed pork, and moo naem, |
| city yourself. | | | | which is a sour pork product. |
| There are many mid-range priced hotels in the | | | | If you wish to enter Laos via the Friendship |
| area and surrounding areas. | | | | Bridge at Nong Khai, the visa-on-arrival fee for |
| In Udon Thani you will find an abundance of | | | | foreigners is US $35 and entitles you to 30 days |
| Korean barbeque restaurants. These are quite | | | | in Laos You must have two passport photos |
| popular in Udon. If that is not to your taste, then | | | | available. Thais pay a different fee of their own. |
| along with all the Thai food, you can find the | | | | Air conditioned buses to Vientiane depart six |
| typical fast food restaurants in the shopping | | | | times daily from Udon Thani. The fare is 80 baht |
| centers and a few western restaurants. The best | | | | one way. |