Fly to Udon, drive to Laos

UDON THANI Udon Thani is best known as a gateway province to upper Northeast Thailand and neighouring Laos and its capital Vientiane.

The city itself serves as an aviation hub, the closest airport to the border with Laos and the starting point for heritage tours that visit Mekong River towns such as Nong Khai, and the World Heritage sites of Ban Chiang.

Major highways link this city to other provinces, while the border is just 60 km by a four and six-lane highway. It is also an important station on the north-south rail line linking Bangkok with Nong Khai.

It will also figure prominently as one of the main stations on a high-speed rail line that will be built over the next five years starting in Bangkok and passing through Nakhon Ratchasima. Khon Kaen, Udon and Nong Khai on its northbound route before crossing  the Mekong River to Laos. It will connect with a high-speed rail line already under construction in Laos.

Check out the top five attractions and invariably the list starts with Ban Chiang one of the earliest Thai settlements. But there are also examples of the whacky side of life in Udon such as the strange giant yellow inflatable ducks that were an instant hit on social media with thousands of images uploaded by selfie-loving Thais. Having your photo taken with the yellow duck became one of those must-do things that have to posted on Facebook. Thankfully the duck lost out to newer fads in fashion and travel trending.

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