Udon Thani Guide Issue 59

elcome to the first 2023 editon of The Udon Thani Guide! We’re happy to be back after a too long pandemic-induced hiatus. We will publish the Guide on a less frequent schedule during the pandemic, but we will continue to keep our website UdonMap.com up-to-date throughout. We hope that the worst has passed now, and look forward to continuing to serve the Udon Thani community as we have for more than a decade.

Copyright & Disclaimer

The Udon Thani Guide is published quarterly by UD Map Co., Ltd. All content Copyright 2003-2023. All rights reserved. All content in this publication copyright UD Map Co., Ltd. Reproduction or use of the editorial or pictorial content in any manner without the prior express written permission of UD Map Co., Ltd. is prohibited. While every care has been taken in the production of this magazine, UD Map Co., Ltd. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages, whether direct, indirect or consequential, and whether foreseeable or not foreseeable, resulting from the use of information contained herein. Views expressed in the articles and reviews are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Udon Thani Guide or UD Map Co., Ltd.

By Tatsaneeporn Kitprasert

It is well known that the Issan region has a variety of food styles that are known for their spiciness. Issan food is based on the meat, fish, fruit and vegetables that are available naturally and locally, sometimes resulting in foods that are strange to western palates.

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Spicy Fresh Shrimp Salad Boiled Bullfrog

In

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Fresh Beef With Chili Paste

Sliced raw beef dipped in bitter chili paste. It is popular to use tenderloin, striped legs, and striped calves. Combine with fresh vegetables.There are side dishes such as fresh chili and garlic. The delicious flavor of this menu is the selection of fresh beef.

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The Naga Fireball festival is a unique and fascinating festival celebrated in Thailand. In this festival, people gather attribute this phenomenon to the mythical

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Grilled Brisket

The main ingredient is beef, well marinated, then grilled over low heat until juicy. Slice into bite-sized pieces, dipping into spicy dipping sauce.

From nature to valuable handmade work

By Tatsaneeporn Kitprasert

One way we can reduce global warming is to reduce our use of plastic and use bags made of natural materials instead.

Some people use krajood to make bags, and many people wonder what this plant is and where it comes from.

Krajood is a herbaceous plant that lasts for many years. It grows easily and propagates quickly. It likes to grow in swampy areas along muddy lakes, and is found mainly in the southern and eastern parts of Thailand.

Photo from: culture.yru.ac.th/index.php/การทำเสื่อกระจูด

Krajood plants take about 3 years to grow to full size, about one meter high. At that time, the krajood can be harvested, and will grow back.

In Thailand, wicker is used for home furnishings like mats, fans, planters, bags, etc. Its use has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. This also allows local people to have additional income.

When the krajood plant is harvested, it first must be placed in the sun to dry completely. Once it is dry, villagers flatten the plants with heavy rollers. The plants can also be dyed before being weaved, for making handicrafts in a rainbow of colors. Then the people weave the krajood products by hand. The products are coated with a protective sealant to preserve them so they will last longer. Then the products are dried in the sun, except during rainy season, when they are dried in electric drying ovens. The final step is to trim off the excess from the

When the krajood plant is harvested, it first must be placed in the sun to dry completely. Once it is dry, villagers flatten the plants with heavy rollers. The plants can be dyed before being weaved, for making handicrafts in a rainbow of colors. Then the people weave the krajood products by hand. The products are coated with a protective sealant to preserve them so they will last longer. Then the products are dried in the sun, except during rainy season, when they are dried in electric drying ovens. The final step is to trim the excess from the final weave.

There are many types of bags, and the krajood can be woven into whatever you might want, from small, decorative plant pots to mats.

Many people use krajood bags as grocery bags, it is a great way to reduce the use of plastic bags.

As you can see, we can rely more on products made from nature by using bags made from natural plant products.

Getting Around Udon

Getting around Udon is both easy and cheap.

Samlors (also called tuk-tuks) are three wheeled motorcycles with a place to sit in the back, -- hire them the same way as taxis.

Motorcycle taxis are what you would expect, -- ride on the back of a motorcycle that takes you exactly where you want to go.

Taxis, You can telephone for one or hail it on the street.

Songtaews are small pickup trucks which run along fixed routes. Hail one when you want to get on. You sit in the back; and just push a button in the seating area to notify the driver when you want to get off.

Grab taxi is the well known smart phone based taxi service, now operating here in Udon.

Samlor (Tuk-tuk)

Baan Paeng Bangkok Bueng Kan Chai Wan Chai Ya Phum Kalasin

Tel. 042-221489 Udon Thani TRAIN TIMETABLE ตารางเดินรถไฟ TRAIN รถไฟ Train No. Dep BKK Udon Nong Khai TO UDON & NONG KHAI ไปอุดรธานี และ หนองคาย Train No. Nong Khai Udon Arr BKK TO BANGKOK ไปกรุงเทพฯ Tel. 042-222061 Call center 1690 www.railway.co.th 08.45 20.25 21.25

Travel time is about 3 hours 75 25 133

Kham Ta Kla Khon Kaen Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Panom Nong Khai Rayong

From Udon Thani - Vientiane 77 km. 16.55 05.39 05.57

Roi-Et Sakon Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani

อุดร - เวียงจันทน

Fare: 80 Baht Udon Thani 17.30 06.25 07.55

Standard bus 08.14 19.28 20.17

From Udon Thani - Vang Vieng 233 km. 76 134 26

320 Baht Depart 08.00, 09.00, 10.30, 11.30, 14.00, 15.00, 16.30, 18.00 X16

is about 7 16.35 05.30 05.50

1st 07.45 18.50 19.40

Pak Chom Pen Pitsanulok Sang Com Sang Ko So Pi Sai Sri Chiang Mai อุดร - วังเวียง

08.00, 09.00, 10.30, 11.30, 14.00, 15.00, 16.30, 18.00 Train, Bus, Van Transport ขอมูลการเดินทาง You should check with Laos immigration officials for the latest requirements before starting your trip. * กอนเดินทางควรโทรสอบถามขอมูล และตรวจสอบเวลาเพื่อความถูกตอง 16 udonmap.com

Thani is the second largest city in northeast Thailand. Formerly known as Ban Makkaeng, Udon Thani was first settled as a military base led by Prince Prajak to crack down on a minority uprising in the northeastern state. Ban Makkaeng has evolved from a rural city into what is now known as Udon Thani, one of the largest cities in Thailand.

Udon City Museum

The park was recently given a facelift by the local government. Here you will find a running/walking track, children’s play area and grassy picnic areas. A nice place to get away from the busy central area.

This temple houses a white rock

image that was renovated in the reign of King Rama V. The monastery is located in central Udon. next to a busy produce market where you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

Buddha

Beautiful Chinese shrine next to Nong Bua lake.

The shrine houses a 10 metre high replica of a golden dragon, which is used in the annual festival at Thung Si Muang in December.

Recently reopened after an extensive renovation, this museum has exhibits about Udon Thani history, archaeology, natural science, geology, folk history, arts and culture.

Nong Sim Park is located northeast of central Udon Thani. It’s a popular location for walking and aerobics. There are a children’s play area and restaurants; and you can buy food to feed the fish!

Wat Phothisomphon was built late in the reign of King Rama V. Inside the pagoda (pictured above), which was built in 2009, there is a museum of relics from revered monks famous for meditation.

Tesaban

school

Udon Dutsadi

cycling and jogging tracks around the perimeter of the lake (~2.4 miles), a children’s play area and aerobics. At night, restaurants and Thai massage shops set up.

Prince Prajak Monument

don Thani Province is located in the heart of the Korat Plateau between the provinces of Khon Kaen to the south and Nong Khai to the north.

A beautiful 76,000 acre park located on a plateau about 75 minutes from Udon.

all the usual things you would expect to find in a park, you will find numerous full-sized statues of dinosaurs!!

It’s the only lotus shaped structure like it in Thailand.

About 18 km. from Udon is a series of flower villages, sort of like large outdoor greenhouses. There are more the 30 different types of flowers to see here, take beautiful pictures, and buy to take home.

The Red Lotus Lake is about 45 minutes by car from Udon city to Baan Diam Piar, the most popular tourist spot. The lotus plants will bloom between December and March of each year. The plants bloom from the early morning until

The Ban Chiang culture is known for its bronze metallurgy and burnt ochre swirl pots. A museum displaying the artifacts discovered at Wat Po Si Nai is a short walk, 300 meters, from the Wat.

Kham Chanot is a beautiful and dense deciduous forest and temple 75 km from Udon Thani. It is said to be home to Naga, a snake-like serpent that made its way here via underground tunnels from the Mekong River.

Outside the temple are quite large rocks in unusual formations. On some of these rocks you will see handprints and drawings that are thousands of

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park covers around 1,200 acres. In addition to the beautiful landscape, caves and caverns, rocks of different sizes and shapes dot the area. Pre-historic cave paintings have also been discovered.

There is a lotus shaped chapel in Ban Chiang, Nong Han, Udon Thani. The chapel sits in the middle of a lake, here, just a couple of kilometers from the Ban Chiang historical site and museum.

fleet of rafts available for rent. And you can have food and drink delivered to your raft on the water!!

Along with

For general shopping head to the fountain circle area. Here you will find a wholesale clothing market, gold shops, Chinese medicine shops and handicraft shops.

Udon boasts some excellent night markets to the north and south of the train station area. They are open from early evening until 11pm every night and sell everything from clothes and food to gifts and gadgets. Each market has its own beer garden area with live music and nightly entertainment.

For indoor, air-conditioned shopping, Central Plaza offers a good selection of shops and restaurants. UD Town, near the train station, is an attractive open air shopping street with a good selection of restaurants.

On the eastern ring road you will find a new fully air-conditioned clothing factory outlet.

For DIY, building accessories and furniture, check out Global House, Home Pro, Tool Pro and the Index Living Mall on the eastern Ring Road. Udon has several supermarkets such as Big C, Tesco Lotus, Tang Ngee Soon, Makro and Topps.

Le Gallery Restaurant

Restaurants Restaurant and pizzeria on Soi Sampan. We serve authentic Italian and Thai food. Catering and take away. 089-289-6513 For Taxi: กลางซอยสัมพันธมิตร

don De Nang De

     

Da Sofia

 เดอ โซเฟย

Thani has a wide variety of eating options. Issan (north-eastern) food reflects influences of neighboring Laos in a number of dishes. Glutinous or “sticky” rice is the staple; and the food is highly seasoned with chili peppers, -- laab, for example, which is made with spicy minced meat. Another popular dish in Issan is Somtam (spicy salad), made with chili, fish sauce and green papaya, string beans or cucumber. A restaurant and pub the likes of which Udon hasn’t seen before. We are open and welcome everybody with a smile. www.brickhouse-inn.com 042-219-332



Pub & Restaurant Soi Sampan

รานอาหารแนะนำ 

 เลอ แกเลอรี่ บียอนด คาเฟ บริก เฮาส ซิกแซก หองอาหาร พา หลงปา คาเฟ เดอนางเดอ ลิตเติล อิตาเลี่ยน

Par Restaurant

food in a quiet location on the main road to Ban Sam Prao. Open on Monday to Saturday from 10 am. – 9 pm. 064-6141822. For Taxi: ทางไปบานสามพราว

For Taxi: ในโรงแรมโมโค Lhong pa Café Traditional and international cuisine in De Princess Hotel . Open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. 042-204444 For Taxi: ในโรงแรม เดอ ปรินเซส ซอยประชาสันติ

For Taxi: สาขา  For Taxi: ถนนศรีสุข ซอยตรงขาม บขส.ใหม



099-0556440 Brick House For Taxi: กลางซอยสัมพันธมิตร Delicious authentic Italian food, made according to traditional Italian recipes and cooked individually for you by our chef. Pizza and pasta. Located behind Central Plaza. 084-685-0337 / 081-717-5787 For Taxi: ตรงขามสามแยก ออกจากเซ็นทรัล ฝงตะวันแดง

Little Italian Restaurant udonmap.com

Wat Pho Chai

Nong Khai One Day in

If you want to escape the chaos of Udon and find places to visit, places to eat, with an uncrowded and comfortable atmosphere, Nong Khai will certainly be on your list. Starting from Udon Thani, it takes about 45 minutes over a distance of 50 kilometers on Mittraphap Road.

Paying respect to Luang Pho Phra Sai

The first stop for good fortune is Wat Pho Chai, a place of worship for Luang Pho Phra Sai. People come to pray to the sacred Buddha image, invaluable of Nong Khai for blessings in terms of good life.

Travel only 4 km. from Nong Khai city to Phra That La Nong, popularly known as Phra That Klang Nam. It is one hundred years old, and was originally located on the banks of the Mekong River. Eventually, however, the elements forced it into the middle of the river, where it lies underwater and is only visible intermittently during the dry season, when the water recedes. A replica was built on the shore as a memorial for people to come and pay their respects.

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There is a boat service here to enable people to go and pay homage to the real Buddha image in the middle of the river. Tickets are 20 baht per person. The boat leaves when there are 10 passengers, or you can rent a boat for 200 baht. The boat driver will sail around near the relics for us to place the garland, scatter the flowers, pour the water and offer prayers, and we can see the relics up close.

The Mekong River is a river of faith, believed to release eels and turtles, and also believed to reverse aging and accept prayers for good fortune. In addition, people like to bring the ashes of their deceased relatives to float on the Mekong River with the belief that it will bring peace and happiness to the souls. The Mekong River is the birthplace of many mystical stories and is an important river in the way of life of people

One day in Nong Khai

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