Northeast Thailand / Ubon Ratchathani, Warin Chamrap, Si Saket
UBON RATCHATHANI
Ubon Ratchathani, 629km (393mi) from Bangkok and the capital of the largest province of the Northeast, also named Ubon Ratchathani, has been a well established community for hundreds of years.
Badin; 14 Phalochai Rd, Tel 25-4209, 25-5777
110 rooms, sgl/dbl 22-0-280 (ac)
Chaitung; 296 Chayangkun Rd
30 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)
Changsanit; 110/5 Changsanit Rd
14 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-80 (f)
Decha; Khuan-Thani Rd, Tel 25-4270
40 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-160 (f, ac)
Dollar; 39/5 Suriyat Rd, Tel 24-2310
40 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-160 (f, ac)
Homsa-ad; 80/10 Suriyat Rd, Tel 24-2368
11 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-80 (f)
Krung Thong; 24 Si Narong Rd
Tel 24-1609, 25-4200
143 rooms, sgl/dbl 22-0-280 (ac)
New Nakhon Luang; 68 Yutthaphan Rd
Tel 25-4768 to 9, 24-2695
43 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-150 (f, ac)
Patumrat; 173 Chayangkun Rd, Tel 24-1501 to 8
137 rooms, sgl/dbl 25-0-350 (ac)
Picnic; 5/9 Chawala-Nai Rd, Tel 25-4949
40 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-200 (f, ac)
Racha; 149/19 Chayangkun Rd, Tel 25-4155
32 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-200 (f, ac)
Ratchathani; 229 Khuan-Thani Rd
Tel 25-4599, 25-4497
100 rooms, sgl/dbl 22-0-280 (f, ac)
Si-Isan; 220/6 Ratchabut Rd, Tel 25-4204
34 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-120 (f, ac)
Sirat; 5/8 Uplisan Rd, Tel 25-5162
16 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-100 (f, ac)
Suriyat Hotel; 47/1-4 Suriyat Rd, Tel 24-1144
40 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-160 (f, ac)
Tokyo; 178 Upparad Rd, Tel 24-1739
48 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-180 (f, ac)
Ubon Hotel; 333 Khuan Thani Rd
Tel 25-49524, 24-1045-7
120 rooms, sgl/dbl 150-280 (f, ac)
Ubonrat; 224/1-5 Chayangkun Rd
Tel 25-4936, 24-2101
36 rooms, sgl/dbl 90-140 (f)
Ubon Sikamon; 22/2 Ubonsak Rd
Tel 25-4134, 24-1136; 40 rooms, sgl/dbl 90-140 (f)
Places of Interest
Wat Nong Bua
Peaceful and quiet, Wat Nong Bua in the suburbs of Ubon Ratchathani on the route to the town of Amnat Charoen, is the only Buddhist monastery in the country with a Buddhagaya (Indian) style Stupa which houses several Buddha images.
Wat Maha Wanaram
This ancient principal temple of Ubon houses the highly venerated Phra Chao Yai Indra Plang image.
Wat Supatnaram
Wat Supatnaram on the bank of the Mun River was built in 1853 with a donation of King Rama IV (Mongkut). It was the first monastery of the Buddhist Dharmanyuthi sect in northeastern Thailand. The sect was founded by King Mongkut who had been a monk himself for many years. The principal image of the Wat is Phra Sapphanyu Chao.
Sirindhorn Dam
This multi-purpose dam, serving irrigation just as well as electricity generation requirements, is close to the Thai-Laotian border, some 17km (11mi) east of the town of Phibun Mangsahan which itself is about 40km (25mi) east of Ubon city. The dam created one of largest lakes of the Northeast.
Kaeng Saphue
At this point near Phibun Mangsahan, the Mun River passes over rocks and outcrops, resulting in splashing rapids during the dry season; in the rainy seasons the rocks are completely immersed - so there are no rapids.
Kaeng Tana
These largest rapids of the Mun River are near Khong Chiam at the Thai-Laotian border, some 85km (53mi) east of Ubon city. Soon after the rapids, the Mun River joins the Mekong. The access road is not in good condition and a visit is only recommended during the dry season.
Mekong & Mun River Junction
Thais refer to the junction east of Khong Chiam as Two-color River. The Mekong is muddy brown while the water of the Mun is fairly clean and bluish.
Phu Taem
Pre-historic rock-paintings are found near Phu Taem, around 14km (9mi) from the Khong Chiam district administration building. All in all, there are about 300 paintings.
Sao Chaliang
This is a mushroom-like stone pillar in the town of Khong Chiam. The site provides a far view of the Mekong River.
Wat Phu Khao Kaeo
The Wat on a hilltop near Phibun Mangsahan is noted for its architecture of inlaid glazed ceramic tiles.
Wat Nongpaphong
The Wat, built by the famous monk Luang Pu Cha, known for his ability in meditation and Buddhist teaching, is a destination mainly for those who just seek that: meditation and Buddhist study.
Transportation
Bangkok - Ubon Ratchathani
Thai Airways has a daily direct flight from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani. Departure is on some days in the early morning, on others in the late afternoon. Though the flights are direct (no change of aircraft) they are not always non-stop but may pass by Nakhon Ratchasima. While departure times might change every 6 months, the changes are likely to be minimal while the frequency is basically maintained. Flight time is around 1:05hr or almost 2hrs if there is a stop-over. The price of a one-way ticket is 1345 Baht.
7 trains go from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani every day. Departures at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 6:50 (arrival at Ubon Ratchathani 16:45), 7:15 (arr 20:35), 15:25 (arr 4:20), 18:45 (arr 5:20), 21:00 (arr 7:05), 22:45 (arr 9:35) and 23:25 (arr 12:20). Fare (excluding surcharges for rapid or express trains and aircon) is 95 Baht for 3rd class, 200 Baht for 2nd class and 416 Baht for 1st class. The rail distance is 575km.
Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal on Phahonyothin Road; 672km, aircon 227 Baht, 9:00, 20:00, 20:30, 21:30, 22:00, 22:30, 23:00
Ubon Ratchathani - Bangkok
Thai Airways has one daily direct flight from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok. Departure is either in the mid-morning or in the early evening. Flight time is around 1hr. The price of a one-way ticket is 1345 Baht.
There are 7 trains daily from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok. Departures from Ubon Ratchathani for Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 6:40 (arrival in Bangkok at 17:25), 7:10 (arr 19:40), 13:45 (arr 3:00), 16:50 (arr 3:30), 17:45 (arr 4:35), 19:00 (arr 5:20) and 23:00 (arr 12:00). For fares and distance see entries under the opposite direction.
Provincial Flights
Nakhon Ratchasima - Ubon Ratchathani
Thai Airways has one direct flight per week, on Saturdays, from Nakhon Ratchasima to Ubon Ratchathani. Departure is in the morning. Flight time is around 45min.
Warin Chamrap
Warin Chamrap is a town in Ubon Ratchathani Province, just a few kilometers south of Ubon Ratchathani city.
Accommodation
Charoensuk; 119-121 Sathit Wimankan Rd
21 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)
Sakhon; 101-105 Thahan Rd
16 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-80 (f)
Saman Maitri; 53-59 Thahan Rd
7 rooms, sgl/dbl 50-80 (f)
Si Kulab; 360/3-4 Kasemsuk Rd
62 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-150 (f, ac)
Warin; 88/6 Patumthep-Phakdi Rd
10 rooms, sgl/dbl 40-80 (f)
SI SAKET
Si Saket, 571km (357mi) from Bangkok, is the capital of Si Saket Province which is known for its numerous Khmer-style temples.
Accommodation
Nithrakhan; Tambon Muang Tai
38 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)
Pho Thong; 1055/2-5 Ratchakan-Rotfai Rd
Tel 61-1542; 20 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)
Phromphiman; 849/1 Lak Muang Rd
Tel 61-1141, 61-1161
88 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-350 (f, ac)
Santisuk; 573 Soi Wat Phra To, Tel 61-1496
68 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)
Si Phaibun; Tambon Muang-Nua
19 rooms, sgl/dbl 40-80 (f)
Si Saket Hotel; 0384-5 Si Saket Rd, Tel 61- 1846
68 rooms, sgl/dbl 70—120 (f)
Thai Serm Thai; Si Saket Rd, Tel 61-1458
30 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)
Places of Interest
Prang Ku
This Prang (Khmer-style pagoda) of more than 1000 years of age, located at the town of Prang Ku, some 40km (25mi) southwest of the town of Si Saket, was erected with large bricks and is similar in style to Prasat Sikhoraphum in Surin province (see below).
Huay Chan
A small yet beautiful waterfall, the Huay Chan is only 12km (8mi) outside the town of Khun Han, 80km (50mi) south of the town of Si Saket. Lush shrubbery and trees make the area pleasant for picnics.
Transportation
Bangkok - Si Saket
All trains going from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani stop at Si Saket. Departures at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 6:50 (arrival at Si Saket 15:40), 7:15 (arr 19:21), 15:25 (arr 3:13), 18:45 (arr 4:16), 21:00 (arr 5:57), 22:45 (arr 8:26) and 23:25 (arr 11:03). Fare (excluding surcharges for rapid or express trains and aircon) is 87 Baht for 3rd class, 182 Baht for 2nd class and 376 Baht for 1st class. The rail distance is 515km.
Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal on Phahonyothin Road; 570km, aircon 195 Baht, 9:00, 21:30
Si Saket - Bangkok
All trains from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok stop at Si Saket. Departures from Si Saket for Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 0:11 (arrival in Bangkok at 12:00), 7:55 (arr 17:25), 8:29 (arr 19:40), 14:53 (arr 3:00), 17:49 (arr 3:30), 18:55 (arr 4:35) and 20:07 (arr 5:20). For fares and distance see entries under the opposite direction.
Uthumphon Phisai
Uthumphon Phisai is a town in Si Saket Province, some 25km (16mi) west of the town of Si Saket.
| 
