City Center
Isaan's second city — a practical, unpretentious provincial hub with excellent food and a large expat community
Best For
About City Center
Udon Thani is the commercial and transport hub of Northeast Thailand's upper Isaan region, a city of half a million people built on a US military base legacy from the Vietnam War era. The city centre is functional rather than beautiful, but rewards visitors who look beyond the surface. The Nong Prajak Park at the centre of the city is a pleasant green space for morning walks and evening food stalls. The night market at UD Town and the fresh market at Talad Nong Bua are excellent for authentic Isaan food — grilled meats, larb, tam mak hoong, and the region's sticky rice. Udon Thani is also home to a large expat and Korean community which has diversified the food scene considerably. The city is the closest airport hub to Nong Khai (55 km north) for overland crossings to Laos, and to Ban Chiang (50 km east) — the Bronze Age archaeological site.
Highlights
- 1Nong Prajak Park — green city centrepiece with morning food stalls
- 2Talad Nong Bua fresh market — excellent Isaan food and local produce
- 3Gateway to Nong Khai and the Friendship Bridge to Laos
- 4Ban Chiang World Heritage Archaeological Site — 50 km east
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent Isaan food scene with authentic local restaurants and night markets
- Good transport connections — international airport, buses to Bangkok and beyond
- Affordable accommodation and cost of living
Cons
- Limited conventional tourist attractions in the city itself
- City centre aesthetics are functional rather than attractive