UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand

LOCATION: [MY HOME] [MY FUTURE] [MY OFFICE] [MY KING] [INDEX] UBON RATCHATHANI

Kang Sa Puir, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.

Kang Sa Puir (Rapids), Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.

Ubon Ratchathani the largest province in the Isarn (Northeastern of Thailand) is rich in history and diverse in cultural attractions. Isarn ploudly presents our 4,000 year-old culture, custom, tradition and arts.

Ubon Ratchathani or "Lotus City", a major province in the northeastern part of the country combines prehistoric culture, ancient customs, traditions and arts with picturesque scenery in an attractive and distinctive ambience. It is where you can see the sunshine before others in Thailand, the Emerald Triangle - the gateway to Laos (Chong Mek) and Cambodia (Chong And Man).

The Kha and the Suai, two local tribes, had moved from Si Sattanakanahut to this area before the Rattanakosin Period. During the reign of King Rama I, the King thought of locating the people scattered around because of war into one area. Therefore, any leader who could gather the greatest number of people and establish a secure community would be promoted to the rank of Chao Muang or Chief. For this reason, in 1786, Thao Kham Phong, who had led a group of his people to settle in the Huai Chaeramae area on a plain on the bank of the Mun River, was promoted to the rank of Chief. Later, when he helped the Thai troops to attack Nakhon Champasak he was promoted to the rank of Phra Pathum Worarat Suriyawong and became Chao Muang or Governor of Ban Chaeramac, whic was upgraded to the status of a province called Ubon Ratchathani. Later the city was moved to a new site at Dong U-Phung which is the site of the present city with seven other towns as satellites.

During the reign of King Rama V, before the reform of the provincial administration which divided the kingdom into Monthon (circle), Changwat (province) and Amphoe (district), Ubon Ratchathani was annexed to Northeastern Monthon with Ubon Ratchathani as its administrative centre and the name was changed again in 1900 into Monthon I-san.

Because of the Depression in 1915, the status of Monthon Ubon Ratchathani was reduced to only a province in Monthon Nakhon Ratchasima. In 1933 the divition of the kingdom into Monthon was cancelled and the city has been Ubon Ratchathani Province from that time on.

Attractions

Wat Thung Sri Muang

Wat Maha Wanaram

Pha Taem

Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram

Thung Sri Muang Park

Ubon National Museum

Kaeng Tana National Park

Wat Nong Bua

Wat Chaeng

Phra Mongkhon Ming Muang and Buddha Utthayan

Wat Supattanaramworawihan

Wat Buraparam

Khong Chiam

The Lenten Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani

Transportation Systems

Transportation to Ubon Ratchathani is very convenient by car, train and air.

By Car : One uses Highway Route 1 (Phahon Yothin Highway) and Highway Route 2 (Friendship Highway). Then one changes to Highway Route 24 (Chok Chai-Det Udom) until the end of the highway. The total distance is 629 Kilometres.

By Bus : There are both air-conditioned and ordinary buses leaving from the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Talat Mo Chit) many times a day. For detailed information contact the telephone numbers 2710101-5 (ordinart buses) and 2794484-7 (buses air-conditioned) Sahamit Tour Tel. 2825271, SiUbon Tour Tel. 2712985.

There are express trains and fast trains from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani every day. There are also ordinary trains from Nakhon Ratchasima to Ubon Ratchathani and Surin to Ubon Ratchathani. Detailed information can be obtained from the Travel Service Section on telephone numbers 2237010, 2237020.

By Air : Thai Airways International Ltd. has a daily flight for passengers and air parcels from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani. Detailed information can be requested from Thai Airways International Ltd.. Lan Luang Rd., Bangkok, Tel.2800070, 2800080 and Ubon Ratchathani Office, Tel.(045) 254431 or from the ticket agent at th Bodin Hotel, Ubon Ratchathani, Tel.(045) 255777.

Thung Sri Muang

This is a wide open ground in the middle of the city very much like Sanam Luang in Bangkok. It was formerly reserved as a place for the governor (Chao Muang) to perform a rice growing ceremony. Later, King Rama V put a stop to the ceremony to keep it as a recreation and festival celebration area for the townspeople. A city-pillar shrine is located to the south of the field.

Ubon National Museum: the single-storied building, built in 1873, was formerly the Governor's office. The former governor, Lieutenant Danai Ketsire established it as a provincial national museum, which is accepted as one of the best in Thailand.

The Museum once the province's City Hall, puts on exhibition the province's history, geological features of the Northeast, discovered artifacts, and local handiworks like basketry, brass, traditional hand-woven fabric, and local musical instruments. The museum is open daily except for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Khong Chiam

Khong Chiam is an Amphoe overlooking the Mekhong River and is located 80 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani. A hired boat is available here to go to Kaeng Tana cataract and to go sightseeing at Mae Nam Song Si or the bicolour river where the Mekhong and Mun Rivers meet.

Wat Buraparam, in Amphoe Muang, was once the residence of many famous monks in the field of miditation such as Achan Sithachayaseno, Achan Man Purittatathera, Achan Li Thammatharo, Achan Saokantasilo and Achan Sing Kantayakamo. At present their statues, carved from stones from various rivers, are kept here for the people to pay respect to.

Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram is a royal temple on Uparat Road beside the City Hall. The ordination hall is in the same style as the Marble Temple in Bangkok. The Topaz Buddha image, the town's sacred image brought from Si Sattanakanahut, Laos, is kept here.

Kaeng Tana National Park

The largest rapids of the Mun River is Kaeng Tana in Amphoe Khong Chiam, thirteen kilometers off Highway No. 217 opposite the entrance of the side-road to Sirindhorn Dam. Although the access road is not in good condition, it is worth visiting nevertheless during the dry season.

The Lenten Candle Festival

The Lenten Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani: this special event is appreciated by tourists, and is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The beautifully embellished beeswax candles form the center of activities. There are parades and processions, folk dances and general merriment before the candles are presented to local temples.

Return to the Top or

Information

: Tourism Authority of Thailand, 4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10100, THAILAND.

Tel. : (66 2) 281-0422 (20 Lines), E-mail : tat@cs.ait.ac.th
: Tourist Service Center (TAT and Tourist Police), Tel. 1155
: Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourist Service Center
: TAT Northeastern Office : Region 1

2102-2104 Mittraphap Rd., Tambon Nai Muang, Amphoe Muang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000

Tel.: (66 44) 213-666, 213-030; Fax: (66 44) 213-667

Area of Responsibility : Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket and Yasothon
: Hotel & Resort in Ubon Ratchathani