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    Ubon Ratchathani

    Thailand

    Ubon Ratchathani

    CityCulture

    Ubon Ratchathani is the largest city in eastern Isan, located near the border with Laos and on the Mun River. It is an administrative and university city, relying less on tourism and more on its role as a regional hub.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Thailand
    7. Isan (Northeast Thailand)
    9. Ubon Ratchathani
    Ubon Ratchathani is the largest city in eastern Isan, located near the border with Laos and on the Mun River. It is an administrative and university city, relying less on tourism and more on its role as a regional hub.City temples include Wat Thung Si Muang, featuring a wooden scripture library set on stilts in the middle of a pond, and Wat Nong Bua, whose white chedi is modeled after the Bodhgaya stupa in India. The National Museum, housed in a former royal residence, showcases the region's history.Ubon is best known for its Candle Festival (Hae Thian Phansa) in July, marking the start of Buddhist Lent: City temples commission large wax relief sculptures, which are then paraded through the city center. Accommodation is scarce during this period.The surrounding area features Pha Taem National Park with prehistoric rock paintings high above the Mekong, and the water-eroded rock pools of Sam Phan Bok, exposed during low water levels. The cooler dry season from November to February is the most pleasant time to visit.

    Sights in Ubon Ratchathani

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Street Art on Yutthaphan Road

    Murals have emerged over the years on the house walls in the old center, especially along Yutthaphan Road and Srinarong Road. The motifs feature local themes, including Naga, Garuda and the wax candles of the Candle Festival. A one-hour walk links most walls.
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    2Wat Thung Si Muang

    Temple in the center, whose most famous building is a wooden manuscript library: It stands on stilts in the middle of a pond, so that insects cannot reach the palm-leaf manuscripts. Also, a Wihan with murals and a Sim in the Laotian-influenced style.
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    3Wat Nong Bua

    White Chedi in the north of the city, whose form is modeled after the Mahabodhi Temple of Bodhgaya in India, a rare architectural type in Thailand. It originated in the mid-20th century and is clad with reliefs from the life of the Buddha.
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    4Ubon Ratchathani National Museum

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    Essen & Trinken

    Baan Khun Ya (Thai Dessert Specialties)

    Restaurant in Srinarong.
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    Mot Cham (Tom-Yam noodle soup)

    Restaurant in 6VH5+587 ตำบล ในเมือง Amphoe Mueang Ubon Ratchathani.
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    Mango sticky rice mamuang

    Restaurant in 50.
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    Maem Nam Taohu (Soy Milk)

    Restaurant in 371 Khuanthani Rd.
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    Chok Phalochai (Rice soup)

    Restaurant in เทศบาลนคร.
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    Essen und Trinken

    Ubon kocht Isan-Küche mit laotischem Einschlag: Klebreis, Papayasalat, Larb, fermentierter Fisch und viel Chili. Durch die Nähe zu Laos und Vietnam kommen milde Suppen und Reisbrei dazu, die morgens gegessen werden. Die dichteste Auswahl liegt an den Märkten im alten Zentrum.

    Som Tum und Klebreis

    Papayasalat mit Limette, Fischsauce und Chili, dazu Klebreis aus dem Bambuskörbchen. Die Isan-Variante mit fermentierter Fischsauce Pla Ra ist salziger und kräftiger — standardmäßig scharf, mild musst du ausdrücklich bestellen.

    Larb und Nam Tok

    Fleischsalate mit gerösteten Reiskörnern, Minze, Schalotten und Limette, lauwarm serviert. Zusammen mit Klebreis und rohem Gemüse eine vollständige Mahlzeit.

    Jok und Khao Tom

    Reisbrei und klare Reissuppe mit Schweinefleisch, Ingwer und Frühlingszwiebeln — das Frühstück der Stadt. Mild, günstig und ab dem frühen Morgen zu haben, wenn die Garküchen öffnen.

    Nam Tao Hu

    Warme Sojamilch, oft mit Perlgraupen oder Gelee, an Ständen im Zentrum verkauft. In Ubon eine feste Frühstücksgewohnheit und in den kühlen Monaten besonders beliebt.

    Khanom Thai

    Thailändische Süßspeisen aus Reismehl, Kokos und Palmzucker, in Ubon von mehreren Familienbetrieben hergestellt. Weniger süß als industrielle Varianten und gut als Mitbringsel.

    Abendmärkte im Zentrum

    Rund um Thung Si Mueang und die Marktstraßen bauen abends Garküchen auf: Grillspieße, Papayasalat, Nudeln, Mango mit Klebreis. Bestellt wird, was in der Auslage liegt — eine Karte braucht es nicht.

    Culture and History

    Ubon Ratchathani was founded in the late 18th century by Lao-speaking settlers. Isan, a language closely related to Laotian, is spoken, and many temples follow Laotian architectural styles. The Sim, the ordination hall with deeply sloping roofs, differs significantly from the central Thai style.The most important event is the Candle Festival Hae Thian Phansa at the start of Buddhist Lent in July. Traditionally, at the beginning of the Rains Retreat, devotees donated candles to the monasteries. Today in Ubon, temples commission large wax sculptures over several months, which are paraded through the city center on floats on the festival day, accompanied by dance groups and Mor-Lam music.In May, Bun Bang Fai, the Rocket Festival, is celebrated in many places. Artisanally, the province is known for silk weaving and brassware.

    Exploring on site

    You can explore the old city center around Thung Si Mueang on foot. For the rest of the city, there are Songthaews on numbered routes, motorcycle taxis, tuk-tuks, and ride-hailing apps.Ubon is the terminus of the railway line from Bangkok via Korat and Surin. The train station is located south of the river in Warin Chamrap, not in the city center. The airport is close to the city and has several daily flights from Bangkok. Buses connect to the entire Isan region and Laos.For excursions, you will need a vehicle. Pha Taem is about 95 kilometers northeast, and Sam Phan Bok is a bit further. Public transport options end well before these destinations. You can only see the rock pools of Sam Phan Bok during low water levels, approximately from December to March. Early morning is the best time at Pha Taem, as there is little shade.During the Candle Festival, parts of the city center are closed, and hotels, trains, and flights are heavily booked. Book early.For current safety and health advice, including regarding the border area with Cambodia, please refer to the Federal Foreign Office.

    Accommodations in Ubon Ratchathani

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    Nearby

    Surin

    Surin

    Surin, located in the south of Isan, is closely linked to Thailand's elephant culture. The province is shaped by the Kui people, who have caught and guided elephants for generations. The annual Elephant Round-up in November is the city's biggest event.Beyond that, Surin is a tranquil provincial town. At the Talat Mai market, you'll find Isan cuisine and silk, still hand-woven in the surrounding villages.The surrounding area features Khmer sanctuaries like Prasat Sikhoraphum with its five brick towers. The most pleasant time to visit is the cooler dry season from November to February.
    Buriram

    Buriram

    Buriram, in southern Isan, combines Khmer heritage with professional sports. The province is known for Phanom Rung Historical Park, a Khmer temple complex atop an extinct volcano, and the nearby sanctuary Muang Tam with its water features.On the outskirts of the city are the Chang International Circuit, where MotoGP races, and the stadium of Buriram United. On race and match days, accommodation is scarce.For the temples, early morning and late afternoon are best, as there is little shade. Phanom Rung and Muang Tam are best combined with your own vehicle in one day. In the city, the markets offer a good impression of daily life and Isan cuisine.
    Phanom Rung Historical Park

    Phanom Rung Historical Park

    Prasat Hin Phanom Rung stands on the rim of an extinct volcano in Buriram province and is one of the most complete Khmer sites in Thailand. The temple was built in several phases from the 10th to the 13th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The mountain was considered an image of his abode, Kailash.Access is via a paved processional road, across a bridge lined with Naga snakes, and up a staircase to the main prang. Lintels and pediments with scenes from Hindu mythology are preserved at the portals, including the Narai-Bandhomsindhu lintel, which returned from Chicago in 1988.On a few days annually, the sun aligns through all 15 doorways at sunrise or sunset. Crowds are huge then. Shade is minimal; come early morning. The smaller sanctuary Prasat Muang Tam lies a few kilometers away at the mountain's foot.
    Isan (Northeast Thailand)

    Isan (Northeast Thailand)

    Isan is Thailand's Northeast and the country's largest region: a vast, agricultural plateau bordered by the Mekong to the north and east. Touristically, it is less developed than the coasts and the north, and you'll less often get by with English.Culturally, the region is close to Laos. The spoken language is related to Laotian, as are its music, festivals, and cuisine. On the plate, you'll find Som Tam, Laab, and sticky rice, usually spicier than in Central Thailand.From the time of the Khmer Empire, several temple complexes are preserved in the south of the region, including Phanom Rung and Phimai. Additionally, there is silk weaving and its own festival calendar, such as the Rocket Festival at the start of the rainy season and the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani.The cooler dry season from November to February is the most pleasant time to travel. From March to May, it gets very hot.
    Phimai Historical Park

    Phimai Historical Park

    The Phimai Historical Park in Nakhon Ratchasima Province encompasses the grand Khmer temple complex Prasat Hin Phimai. The main prang was begun around 1080 under King Jayavarman VI, with additions made in the 13th century. Unlike most Khmer temples, Phimai was dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism from the outset.The main prang, built of light sandstone, stands within a rectangular walled enclosure with four gateways. The complex opens to the south, towards the old Royal Road to Angkor. Lintels and pediments display Buddhist and Hindu motifs.The complex is located in the heart of Phimai town and is easily accessible on foot, while the National Museum showcases sculptures and lintels from the region. On the outskirts of town is the Banyan Grove Sai Ngam, with food stalls by the water. Phimai is a day trip from Nakhon Ratchasima.

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